STYMPHALE LAKE
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Natura 2000 area with environmental museum. In mythology, it was here that Heracles confronted the Stymphalian birds.
On the borders of Argolida and Arcadia, this small, partly dry lake (Λίμνη Στυμφαλία/Limni Stymfalia) offers beautiful scenery, surrounded by mountains with Mount Cyllene (or Ziria) dominating to the north, at 2,374 m above sea level. At an altitude of 620 m, the lake is known in mythology for two things. It is the birthplace of Hera, goddess of marriage and wife of Zeus. It's also the setting for the sixth of Heracles' twelve labors: here, the hero confronts the Stymphalian birds, fearsome fowl that eat human flesh. Today, it's a quieter place, away from mass tourism. The lake, which covers a maximum of 3.5 hectares, is surrounded by reeds and marshes. It's home to an endemic species of fish, the Stymphale shiner (Phoxinellus stymfalicious), and thousands of tiny green frogs that jump in whole waves as soon as you approach. The entire area is classified as Natura 2000. To the north of the lake is the interesting Stymphale Environmental Museum: geology, hydrography, fauna, flora of the region and man's influence throughout history. For Stymphale was also a city in ancient times. Poorly known, it has left few remains in the north-east. Finally, a little further on, towards the village of Stymfalia (population approx. 160), stand the ruins of Zaraka Abbey, founded by Cistercian monks from France in 1225 and abandoned in 1280. You can stop off at the beautiful hotel-restaurant To Steki Dedakis (12 km north-west of the museum).
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