This itinerary offers a pleasant walk around Lake Avernus, a body of water where the volcanic nature of the Phlegraean Fields meets the myths of the Greeks and Romans.
The lake lies in the bottom of a volcanic crater formed 13,000 years ago during one of the most intense phases of volcanic activity in the area. As is often the case in this corner of the world, the natural beauty of the landscape serves as a stage for archaeology, history, and gastronomy.
We will enjoy the reed beds and green areas where we might spot marsh birds and other animals. At the beginning of the route, we’ll be welcomed by a gigantic Roman-era structure: a thermal bath complex, with more than 15 meters of elevation still standing, once topped by the third-largest dome ever built by the Romans.
The structure used water from the lake and a nearby sulfur spring to feed a system of hot and cold bathing pools. However, for centuries, the grandeur of the building led many to believe it was a temple dedicated to the Greek sun god Apollo, and to this day, it is still known as the Temple of Apollo.
This is certainly not the only reference to the ancient world; both Greeks and Romans believed the lake to be one of the gateways to the underworld. It is precisely here that Homer and Virgil set their heroes’ descent into the Underworld—Odysseus and Aeneas, respectively.
In Roman times, the lake—connected to the sea via a canal built by Roman engineers—was transformed into the core of a system of ports and shipyards known as Portus Julius, effectively becoming the main maritime, military, and commercial base of the first emperor, Octavian Augustus.
The walk continues through green landscapes where we will admire the vineyards that produce the main wines of the Phlegraean region: the red Piedirosso and the white Falanghina. The visit concludes after completing the full loop around the lake, returning to the starting point: the “Caronte” chalet.
INCLUDED: Service with a licensed guide.
EXTRA COSTS: None
MEETING POINT: To be arranged with the guide.
Distance: 2.5 km
Duration: Approximately 120 minutes
