Lake Miseno lies in the municipality of Bacoli, located between Monte di Procida and Capo Miseno. Like the other three Phlegrean lakes, the so-called Dead Sea boasts a mysterious, fascinating nature and historical roots merging with myth.
The lake and its beauties
Lake Miseno is an ancient volcanic crater that was later invaded by seawater. Today, a thin strip of land characterized by tufa rocks separates the lake from the sea but remains connected to it by two mouths, one located in Miliscola and the other in Miseno Bay. Strolling on the lake shores is an evocative experience, especially at sunset when the beautiful twilight colours are reflected on its waters, creating outstanding light games. Enchanting natural beauty frames the lake, granting a unique atmosphere that complements the extraordinary view of Bacoli and its hamlets.
The Piscina Mirabilis and the Hundred Chambers
Di Baku - Opera propria, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=107265235
Near the lake, the beautiful Piscina Mirabilis and the Hundred Chambers structure are worth visiting, both archaeological remains of water constructions dating back to Roman times. The former is a monument representing the final section of the Augustan aqueduct (precisely, the point of arrival at Miseno), whose interiors are perfectly preserved. The second, on the other hand, is an impressive water system with two cisterns, one lower and one upper.
Historical Notes
Di Baku - Opera propria, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=107265235
At the site where the lake now stands, there was the ancient port of Miseno built on the semi-submerged crater and dependent on the influential city of Cumae. In Roman times, it became home to the prestigious Roman naval fleet that controlled much of the Mediterranean, known as the classis misenensis. The harbour initially consisted of two inner and one outer section connected by a passageway now buried underground. The first was the purely lacustrine area, dedicated to outfitting ships, while the second represented the actual port for docking and mooring ships.
Trivia
The origin of the lake's name is to be found in ancient literature and, more specifically, in Virgil's Aeneid: the name is due to the namesake trumpeter of the Trojan army following Aeneas, who found his death in this body of water. According to the narrative, Aeneas found his body and buried it under a large mound of earth (today's promontory of Capo Misenuo) to give due prominence to his friend's heroic deeds. As for the port of Misenum, some stories claim that Nero had his mother, Agrippina, killed in the inner shipyard of the structure. Right here, the emperor Tiberius seems to have found death, returning from a trip to the nearby island of Capri. Finally, Lake Miseno is also known as the Dead Sea because of the stagnant waters it presented in Roman times.
What to do
Lake Miseno lends itself to different types of activities. For sports enthusiasts, it is the ideal destination for jogging, biking, or enjoying healthy outdoor physical activity in contact with nature. TThe body of water also hosts water sports events like rowing and sailing competitions. FFinally, it also lends itself to simple and pleasant walking, both day and night. Especially during summer evenings, its shores are dotted with small clubs, bars and restaurants where you can spend a perfect evening in a whole lake atmosphere.
How to reach Lake Miseno from Al Chiar di Luna
Lake Miseno is about 5-6 km from our facility. It can be easily reached by car or cab (about 15 minutes).