Lake Avernus is one of the four lakes of Campi Flegrei. It is a Naturalistic Oasis with fascinating morphological and mythological features. It lies between the hamlet of Lucrino and the archaeological site of Cuma and belongs to the Municipality of Pozzuoli.
Origins
Lake Avernus is a mirror of dark water formed in the basin of an extinct volcano. It is surrounded by dense woodland vegetation and a beautiful vineyard crop. Right on its shores, through paths immersed in greenery, visitors can take an enjoyable walk that leads to the Temple of Apollo, an ancient building that exploited the fumaroles in the lake to obtain thermal springs. The name comes from Greek and means "birdless lake". In the past, the sulphurous fumaroles emanating from the lake's waters did not allow animals to live in the area or even birds to fly over it. The landscape was almost bewitched: the reservoir's banks smelled of foul odours, and the vegetation all around was dense and dark. It is no coincidence that many people in antiquity identified Lake Avernus as the gateway to Hell.
Lake Avernus, through the myth
Since ancient times, the restless nature of the lake has represented a sinister symbolism, to the point of identifying the place as the entrance to the Kingdom of the Dead. Numerous mythological tales saw Lake Avernus as the setting for ominous events. For example, in Virgil's Aeneid, the hero Aeneas goes to the lake, the gateway to the underworld, to meet his father, Anchises. In even more remote times, the lake's waters were considered the battle scene between Zeus and the Titans.
Lake Avernus in the Roman era
During Roman times, particularly the Augustan era, Lake Avernus became a fundamental military base for the Empire. Marcus Agrippa transformed it into an important naval port (Portus Iulius), encompassingthe nearby Lake Lucrino and, thanks to tunnels dug later, into a rapid access route to Cumae for the militia. The place was strongly subject to bradyseism, which destroyed the Roman town planning in the long run. Almost no remains are found today. In the 20th century, aerial photography discovered the history of this place.
Lake Avernus today
Having abandoned its magical aura, today's lake looks like a water basin where blooming flora and varied fauna live. Vineyards, white willows, maritime pines and dense holm-oak woods frame the lake, making it a perfect place for a walk in a couple or a moment of a break from the daily routine. Visitors can closely observe birds nesting in this area at birdwatching stations. The myths, legends and stories surrounding this stretch of water emerge from the ancient ruins, creating a genuinely evocative spectacle between culture and nature.
How to reach Lake Avernus from Al Chiar di Luna
Lake Avernus is a little more than 10 km from our hotel. It will take about 30 minutes to reach it by car or taxi.