Ladon Lake, reservoir in Peloponnese, Greece
Ladon Lake is a man-made reservoir in the mountains of Arcadia that stretches long and narrow between mountain ridges, fed by the Ladon River and several smaller streams. The water surface remains calm and mirror-like in most spots, reflecting the surrounding peaks and forest.
The lake was completed in 1955 after dam construction began in 1950, designed to supply water to surrounding communities and farming lands. An Italian company built the project, funded by war reparations Italy owed Greece following the Second World War.
The lake is woven into the daily life of surrounding villages, where locals fish and use its water for farming. People gather in small taverns near the shore to share meals and stories about the landscape they inhabit.
The paths around the lake are easy to walk but the ground can be uneven, so wear sturdy shoes and bring water with you. Small taverns in nearby villages like Mouriá and Tropaia offer local food and rest spots along the journey.
Hidden beneath the water lies Kira's Bridge, a medieval stone crossing built in the 13th century that emerges only when the water level drops. This submerged span connects the region's distant past with its present landscape in a tangible way.
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