Vouliagmeni Lake area

What I can see

The brackish lake, with a circumference of 500 metres, is located on the southern edge of Hymettus Mountain and is linked with water sources and the sea through various tunnels. It is a place of natural beauty, where summer musical evenings take place. Similarly, private events take place throughout the year. Guests have a variety of choices in this area to enjoy a beverage. One may visit the site of the lake, cafes and patisseries of Agiou Panteleimonos Street or several other establishments at the beach, overlooking the Saronic Gulf and Laimos area. The coastal strip invites one to other activities such as walking and running.

What I can't see

There are no references from ancient times about the lake as it did not exist. Around 2000 years ago the roof of the then-underground cave “sank” (Vouliagmeni in Greek means “Sunk”) and formed the lake. The maximum depth is 17m, and the water temperature is between 22C and 29C, which proves that it is linked to the Aegean Volcanic Arc. Warm water makes the lake ideal for swimming for people with rheumatic diseases, injuries and diseases of the nervous system. At the end of the lake starts a labyrinthine cave with 14 tunnels comprising 3.1km, which have been explored and have brought crucial evidence about the formation of the Mediterranean Sea to light. In the lake, two unique species of invertebrates live (Abra ovata, Cerastroderma glaucum), the unique anemone Paramenonia Vouliagmeniensis and the fish Garra rufa.

Bibliography