Mineral Lake Vouliagmeni (Vouliagmeni Lake) is located near the town of the same name in Greece. Its water is known throughout the world for its medicinal properties, so many tourists and vacationers come here.
Geographical position
Located 20 km from the Greek capital Athens, Lake Vouliagmeni is a famous resort whose healing properties are determined by its water containing radon. Near the 100 m behind the isthmus, which runs the intercity highway, is the Saronic Strait of the Aegean Sea.
According to scientists, the lake was formed in the place where the crater of the volcano used to be. It is his echoes in the form of hot springs that are the reason for the constantly warm water in Vouliagmen. Its temperature + 21 ... + 24 ° is the most pleasant for bathing holidaymakers at any time of the year, especially for those who visit Greece in October-November or in winter.
According to another version, the lake was formed on the site of a huge underground cave, the upper part of which collapsed after the earthquake several centuries ago. In the Ottoman era, the lake was called “Vouliasmenos” and “Karachi”, which means “black water”.
Local legends and history
According to a legend told by locals, Lake Vouliagmeni was a favorite place where the Greek goddess Athena received water procedures. The very first historical findings were made in 1924 by the pupils of an orphanage at the local church. Digging in the sand, the children discovered marble columns, a pedestal and part of the slab on which the sanctuary of Apollo Zostiros was mentioned.
In antiquity, the Vouliagmeni region and the adjacent Voula and Vari, due to their favorable location and proximity to the sea, on the one hand, and the mountains, on the other, developed due to the extraction of salt, also the inhabitants were engaged in fishing and cattle breeding (raised goats ) The territory was developed as early as the Neolithic period (3 thousand BC), later in the 6th century. the cities were merged into the municipality of Ales Exonides and represented the Kekrop tribe.
As a result of excavations in the territory of Vouliagmeni and neighboring cities, 2 saltworks, 3 pottery workshops, as well as residential buildings (consisting of several rooms, a kitchen and a bath) and an ancient road were discovered. This indicates a high standard of living of the ancient inhabitants of this region of Greece.
Underground labyrinths
The bottom of the thermal lake of Vouliagmeni is a whole system of karst caves through which underground waters pass. A total of 14 tunnels are located here, one of which, 88 m long, is recognized by scientists as the largest underground tunnel in the world. Its width varies between 60-150 m, and the average depth is 80 m.
In the center of the lake is the cave "Blue Devil's Well", its dimensions are very small (11 m - depth, 3 m - diameter). It got its name, thanks to gloomy local legends that testify to the dangers that await scuba diving enthusiasts there.
Such an underground structure of the reservoir aroused great interest among divers. However, a complex system of underground labyrinths became the last refuge of several people, a series of deaths led to the closure of underground tunnels for general use.
This served as a source for the creation of the legend of a mermaid living at the bottom of the lake and drawing young beautiful young men into her “nets”. However, scientists attribute such tragic cases to the strong undercurrent, which can sometimes create whirlpools in tunnels.
One of the underground sights is the recently discovered geological monument - a huge stalagmite, which, according to scientists, is an ancient karst formation. It is located at a depth of 105 m, near the entrance to the underground cave. This discovery refuted the version of many scientists about the recent date of the formation of the Mediterranean Sea, because stalagmites are formed only on land.
Town of Vouliagmeni
Geographically, Lake Vouliagmeni is part of the municipal region of Vari-Vula-Vouliagmeni, which was created in 1935 with a population of about 10 thousand inhabitants. The town with this name is very green, consisting of many hotels, villas and the adjacent picturesque beaches. Its territory is divided into 3 main areas: Big and Small Kavouri, and Lemos.
In the middle is a cape, dividing the coast into 2 bays with gorgeous sandy beaches. Together with the cities of Glyfada and Voula, Vouliagmeni was called the “Apollon Coast”, stretching from Athens through the coast and Lake Vouliagmeni to Cape Sounion for 70 km.
There are almost no shops in the town, due to its proximity to the capital, so locals and tourists go shopping in Athens. At the service of vacationers are many establishments where you can eat, taste national cuisine.
Climate and beaches
Sea air harmoniously combines with the aroma of local conifers and eucalyptus trees, creating a unique healing microclimate. In the summer months, the average air temperature is around + 30 ° C, but can reach + 40 ° C. In winter, it drops to + 10 ° C. The number of sunny days in a year is up to 300, most of the doges fall in the cold period.
City beaches on the Mediterranean coast are sandy, most of them belong to hotels, and therefore the entrance to them is paid (about 8 euros), this includes the rental of an umbrella and sunbed. The most gorgeous beaches here are Kavouri, Astera-Volimenis and Attica-Akti (entrance - up to 30 euros). On the territory there are playgrounds, cafes, pools, etc. However, there are also free, but less well-groomed ones.
Many beaches provide services for active water activities: diving, windsurfing and others.
City development and infrastructure
In the last decade, the town has become one of the most expensive resorts in Greece. Therefore, choosing where it is better to go on holiday in Greece, many wealthy Greeks and foreign travelers want to combine a business trip and therapeutic rest. Well-organized beaches are arranged here, prestigious yacht clubs, and many water sports schools have been built.
The city has excellent infrastructure, there are numerous restaurants, Greek taverns and 24-hour cafes on the promenade, where both European and Mediterranean cuisines are presented, where you can try original national dishes. In the furthest bay of Vouliagmeni is the most expensive and fashionable yacht parking. Thanks to the expansion, the city almost merged with the capital and turned into a southern suburb. Housing in the area has become one of the most expensive in Europe.
Attractions in the city
For tourists deciding where it is better to go on holiday in Greece, Vouliagmeni provides several interesting monuments of history and architecture. In addition to the lake of the same name, formed by thermal springs, here you can see stalagmitic caves, an old lighthouse made of stone, the monastery of St. Potapius. 3 km from the city on Cape Melengvi rises a dilapidated temple of Hera, from which the foundation, parts of columns, an altar and a gallery have been preserved.
A few kilometers from Vouliagmeni, on the shores of Sunia Bay, tourists can see the ruins of the temple of Poseidon. It was built in 440 BC. in white marble in a Doric architectural style. The temple personified the power of Athens and served as an important religious object in antiquity. Of the 34 columns, only 15 are now preserved.
The choice of the place of its construction - at Cape Sunio - was due to the fact that it was here that, according to ancient legends, King Aegean jumped from a rock, giving his name to the Aegean Sea. For many centuries, the temple served as the first symbol of the house for Greek sailors sailing to Athens.
In the vicinity of Vouliagmeni, curious travelers can also visit Argolida, where the ancient Greek theater Epidaurus has been preserved. Those who love nature monuments will be interested to visit the nearby islands of Aegina (famous for its pistachios), Poros (near the shores of the Peloponnese) and Idra.
And, of course, the capital of Greece, located 20 km away, provides tourists with many interesting places to explore historical monuments: the Acropolis, the Pantheon, countless museums showing a rich collection of ancient exhibits and artifacts.
Resort on the lake
The location of the lake is 40 cm above sea level, but the water here is not salty, because it mixes with coming from hot underground springs that pass under Mount Imitos. The lake is connected to the bay by a small canal 6 m wide, which adds salinity to its water.
The combination of sea air and the microclimate of the radon lake of Vouliagmeni created a unique microclimate with healing properties. Mineral components dissolved in water (metals, hydrogen sulfide and minerals) made it possible to open a resort here for the treatment of patients with various diseases of the musculoskeletal system, dermatological and gynecological.
Underwater peeling in the lake
Of great interest to tourists are small fish of Garra Rufa living in Lake Vouliagmeni that are 2-3 cm long. These fish “of their own free will” perform the procedure of peeling or biting the dead part of the human epidermis on their heels. Fish prefer the very warm water of the lake, they can survive even when it rises to + 40 ° C.
The sensations are very pleasant, a little tickling. When the fish begin to get very much, then you need to start moving deeper, because they swim closer to shore.
Guest reviews
According to patients who have been treated, the healing waters in Lake Vouliagmeni perfectly cure eczema and other dermatological diseases and have a positive effect on neuralgia, lumbago, sciatica and other types of rheumatism. They effectively cure chronic female diseases, deforming arthritis and eliminate other problems.
Doctors recommend that you limit the duration of swimming in the lake to 20 minutes, but no more, and the next time you can go only after 2 hours. To watch the time, you can see large watch dials right on the rocks.
Lake Vouliagmeni: how to get there
You can get to the lake by bus from Athens (Vouliagmeni stop). Hop On Hop Off tourist buses come here from the capital. You can also get from the capital by taxi, which will cost about 30-40 euros (2,300-3,000 rubles) in the daytime.
Opening hours: 7: 30-19: 30. An entrance ticket to the lake and the pool costs 8 euros (for those arriving before 9:00 in the morning) and 12 euros (900 rubles), the ticket is valid for the whole day for one vacationer, you can leave and return from the territory. On the shore there are sun loungers, umbrellas, changing rooms, a shower, a toilet and a cafe.
The territory also hosts interesting events: festivals, parties, drawing classes, etc.