Lago d'Averno

The lake Averno is situated inside an extinct crater. Considered since

old times a site of Giants, it was identified as a residence of the

gods of the underworld and of the people of the Cimmerii, inhabitants

of the caves which ran away from the light of the sun. They were the

Greeks who wanted to recognize in this place the Homeric descriptions

connected to the episodes of Odysseus. It was considered also the fact

that the lake had no bottom. Strabo describes the thick woods which

surrounded the lake and the exhalations which prevented the birds from

flying over it, causing their death. The same supposed derivation of

the toponym Avernum from the Greek aornos (without birds) seems

confirmed by some verses of Lucretius (De Rerum Natura). Also its

waters or the fresh-ones of the neighbouring springs were considered

undrinkable because connected to the infernal river Stige. But the

real peculiarity of the lake was the presence of an oracle, presided

by Persephone, to whom the pilgrims went after having made blood

sacrifices. With Virgil these places were consecrated to magic and

mystery, in a time in which those sensations were already far-off.

Very interesting story behind this photo. I love the way you captured the clouds in this photo. Thank you, Rita, for sharing this one with us.

Regards,

Tommy Yeargin