Agios Nikolaos & its deep lake Voulismeni (part 1)

Welcome to another (short but delightful) trip of mine!

This time I took a 2 hour break and visited the city Agios Nikolaos in Crete.
But even most importantly, I visited the most important landmark of the city.

Its lake that is named Voulismeni.

Voulismeni is small, circular lake that lies at the heart of Agios Nikolaos. It is surrounded by steep cliffs, bustling with cafes and restaurants.
You may have heard this spot referred to as the "bottomless lake."

The name comes probably from the Greek βουλιαζω which means sink. It was widely believed until recently that there was no bottom in this lake and anyone who would swim there would sink. It was recently discovered that the deepest spot of the lake is 64 meters (or 210 feet)!

According to local myths, the goddess Athena and the goddess Artemis would bathe in its waters. This added mystery to the lake and ancients used to believe it was connected to the underworld.

Lake Voulismeni played a significant role in the town’s history, during World War II. It is believed that German forces used the lake as a site to dispose of military equipment when they retreated from the island.

The lake itself and it surroundings are a very photogenic spot for all kind of pictures. I could not help taking photographs and shooting videos almost all the time.

This is a short video I took from high above (a spot with cafeterias)

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/LM3nRPmTgKg

And I was surprised to see that they even have a sign labeled (selfie spot) - which it clearly is!

There are two points with stairs that lead down. The stairs are stone but not very comfortable so make sure not to have high heels on.

The view changes a bit as you go down

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/hub7l8uRQco

Going down you see the beautiful boats parked in the lake and if you are a fun like I am .. you will take many many photos, enjoying every moment!

Walking next to the lake will offer many lovely sights that are ideal for photographing.

Dont you just love the doors..

Agios Nikolaos is a picturesque city, approximately 45 minutes from the place I live. It is nestled along the shores of the Mirabello Bay, and well known for its stunning views and serene atmosphere.

The city was named after Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of sailors.

I found a statue of Rousos Koundouros, who was a notable figure in the Cretan resistance during World War II and played a significant role in the local resistance against the German occupation.

As the time went by, and the colors starting being more vibrant, the restaurants around the lake started getting filled with people (mainly tourists)

The colors started becoming so luminous and I would have loved to stay the night and take some night shots. But unfortunately, I had to go away... But I will definitely be back soon.

Also, stay tuned for a second part :)

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