8 amazing lakes in Cyprus. Cyprus has several lakes - beautiful places that are not only natural and historical cultural value, but also an important factor in ensuring the habitat of our islands, which are of global interest.
Now, in autumn, when the rainy season begins on the island, the Cypriot lakes are filled with water.
Lake Oroklini
This lake is located at a distance of about 9 km from the city of Larnaca, on the outskirts of the village of Oroklini or Voroklini, which is located only 150 meters from the sea. Lake Oroklini is part of the Natura 2000 conservation programme, a network of protected areas across European Union member states, a rich wetland and refuge for more than 190 species of migratory birds, including rare and critically endangered ones.
Salt lake Aliki in Larnaca
The lake is located in the west of Larnaca, near the famous Mackenzie Beach and close to the city's international airport. This is a network consisting of 4 salt lakes, three of which are interconnected.
The salt lake of Aliki in Larnaca is associated with Saint Lazarus, who, according to the Gospel, was resurrected by Jesus Christ. According to legend, Saint Lazarus passed by a lake where there were vineyards and asked a woman to give him a bunch of grapes to quench his thirst, but the stingy woman rudely refused.
The indignant Lazarus cursed this place, saying: “Let your vines dry up and turn like Sodom and Gomorrah into salt!” And so it happened, the vineyards dried out and became salt lakes, which dry up in the summer, leaving a thick layer of natural salt on the surface. Even in the last century, until the 1980s, this salt was collected and sold.
Thousands of migratory birds fly to this lake for the winter. Charming pink flamingos, flocks of wild ducks, black swans and majestic herons stop here.
This lake is also part of the Natura 2000 comprehensive environmental program and is ranked 1081st on the list of European rare natural habitats.
Salt lake Akrotiri in Limassol
This largest natural lake in Cyprus is located in the south of the city of Limassol, in the British overseas territory of Akrotiri and Dhekelia. About 400 years ago, the area between Cape Zevgari and Cape Kavo Gata was on the seabed, and the area that is now the Akrotiri Salt Lake was part of the sea. Later, the lonely island became an obstacle to the passage of sea water, resulting in the formation of the famous 8-kilometer sandy Lady's Mile beach and the huge Salt Lake.
This unique lake is located below sea level. In summer it dries up, and in winter thousands of migratory birds - cranes, herons and flamingos - flock here. On its northern shore there is a eucalyptus forest, while the eastern shores are swampy and overgrown with reeds, which provides an important natural habitat for rare fauna. It is here, on the salt lake of Akrotiri in Limassol, that the rare black flamingo regularly returns, causing admiration among tourists and pride among the staff of the Akrotiri Environmental Education Center.
Lake Paralimni This lake is located in the southeastern part of the island in Famagusta, near Paralimni. It was in honor of this lake that the small settlement of Paralimni got its name - translated from Greek “Paralimni” means “by the lake”. This is one of the largest bodies of water in Cyprus, which is filled with rainwater during the winter season. Due to problems with high humidity caused in the surrounding villages in 1893, canals were created to redirect the flow of water initially to the sea, and then distribution canals were created, which began to serve to deliver water from the lake to the fields for irrigation. Despite the good purpose of building irrigation canals, the lake eventually dried up. In the old days there was a lot of fish in the lake; there were carp and bay laurel. They say that residents of the surrounding villages simply came to the lake and collected armfuls of fish.
Lake Athalassa
Lake Athalassa is located in the Agios Georgios Park, part of the Athalassa National Forest Park, which has a total area of 900 hectares. It is believed that the origin of the lake's name is due to the fact that in ancient times it, like most of Cyprus, was located at sea. In Agios Georgios Park you can find various species of birds, bats, hares, foxes and cats. Lake Athalassa is home to ducks, turtles and reptiles, and there is fish in the lake. The park has bike paths for sports enthusiasts, walking trails and playgrounds.
Almirolivado Ghost Lake The lake is located near the asbestos mines, in an inaccessible area of Troodos, near the Almirolivados campsite. The path to the lake is not easy - with steep climbs and ravines. Those who get here will have a rare opportunity to see the virgin forest landscapes of Cyprus. This is a “forbidden” lake that unexpectedly appears every year in Troodos. After precipitation, when the lake is filled with water, the sight is breathtaking!
Lake Ergates In the village of Ergates in Nicosia there is a small but very impressive circular lake with a small “island” and a few trees in the middle. The lake is located east of the village on the road leading to the village of Psimolofou. It arose thanks to the Pedieos River, which is located just a few meters to the west of it.
Red Lake Kokkinopezula in Mitsero or Blood Lake About 28 km southwest of Nicosia is the village of Mitsero. This is where the Bloody Lake is located, which is also called “acid” and even “witch lake”. This lake is certainly something very alien to the Cypriot nature and is a phenomenon left over from the mining of ore in the area. The ores turn the water red, the water in the lake is toxic and kills birds.
High acidity of water does not allow anything to grow around
