Pergusa Lake, Natural lake in Enna, Sicily.
Pergusa Lake is a natural body of water near Enna in Sicily, located at about 670 meters elevation in the Erei mountains. The basin covers roughly 1.83 square kilometers and is bordered by wooded shorelines.
The lake formed approximately 20,000 years ago as a natural depression in the mountain landscape. Archaeological evidence shows a fortified settlement was built at its shores during the 9th millennium BC.
The lake features in ancient Greek mythology as the place where Pluto emerged to abduct Persephone to the underworld. This story remains part of local identity and shapes how visitors understand the site's cultural meaning.
The lake is accessible through hiking trails and observation points from the wooded Selva Pergusina area, which offers several vantage points. The surrounding area also includes the Autodromo di Pergusa racing circuit where you can gather information from above.
This is the only lake in Sicily with no incoming streams or rivers feeding it. Its water level is maintained solely through rainfall and evaporation, making it hydrologically distinct from all others in the region.
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