A lake born from the ashes of a volcano. The Averno Lake with its volcanic origin is the only freshwater among the four Phlegrean lakes. The name contrasts with its current appearance: it comes from ancient Greek “Aornon”, that means without birds, for the presence of sulfurous exhalations which prevented any bird from venturing onto it. Finished its volcanic activity, today it is one of the richest environments in bird-fauna of the metropolitan area of Naples, recognized also at European level.
It is closed between the hills formed by its eruption, the recent Montenuovo and Lucrino lake. Walking around it means reaching a mythical place, far from the city.
The sulfuric and inhospitable environment of the lake gave him the reputation of a magical place, untouchable during the Greek domination.
Virgil placed there the door of the Hell, which Aeneas crossed to reach the Kingdom of Dead.
The holiness of the lake was less when the Romans built the Portus Julius. Traces of ancient civilizations can be found along its shores, where the Temple of Apollo and two military tunnels arise.
Averno Lake
