Salt Lake of Akrotiri
The Salt Lake ofAkrotiri is one of Cyprus’ most important natural attractions and the largest lake of the island. It is located in Akrotiri of Limassol in the homonymous province.
Being the southernmost point of the island at 2 km outside Limassol, the Akrotiri Salt Lake is considered one of the most important wetlands in the eastern Mediterranean and occupies an area of about 14 square kilometers. The deepest part is 2.7 meters below sea level while for its biggest part it is not deeper than 30cm. These conditions combined with the proximity to Africa make it an ideal intermediate stop for thousands of migratory birds that arrive in the area.
Amongst the beautiful feathered visitors of the Akrotiri’s Salt Lake are the famous flamingos that pass their winter here eating shrimps (Branchianella spinosa) that thrive in the lake. Also large numbers of aquatic birds like wild ducks, swans, herons, cormorants etc increase the ecological importance of the lake, which is upon one of eight major bird migration routes from Europe and Asia to America. More than 260 bird species and 345 plant systems, with a species of orchid that is found only on Cyprus, compose the landscape and make the area a favorite destination for photographers and birdwatchers from special aquatic life observatories located on the shores.
According to geological surveys the Akrotiri’s Salt Lake was initially an island which was gradually connected to the mainland during the Roman era. The rivers Kouris and Garillis transferred materials from inland like sand and gravel which were deposited to the estuary of the rivers creating new territory which gradually connected the island to the mainland. The connection entrapped a large quantity of seawater thus creating the Akrotiri’s Salt Lake and the sandy beach Lady’s Mile.
In the past it has been a major source of wealth due to the salt but also a trade place, a fishery or space for the docking of ships. During the Franks era it was a royal property where hunting hawks were caught and used by the aristocracy for hunting purposes. Later the Venetians supplied the Ottoman sultan with hawks from the same area while during the same time studies were conducted in order to build a fortress as the area was of great strategic importance.
Nowadays there are not any rivers that end up in the lake and the water flows in either from the sea (as the lake is lower than sea level), or by rainfall or by the nearby march of Fasouri. During the winter months it is brackish, at the end of spring it turns into very salty and in summer it dries completely.
The Salt Lake of Akrotiri or Salt Lake of Limassol as it is also known as, is three times larger but less salty than the Salt Lake of Larnaka and its north shore is covered by an eucalyptus forest while its east is covered by a cane marsh. Guests can approach it from many directions, depending on the season. In fact, not few people are walking on it during the summer months when it is dry, although there is a risk of falling into mud.
The lake is within the boundaries of the British military base of Akrotiri which is territory that remained under the control of UK after the independence of Cyprus in 1960. In 2003 two giant antennas were erected in the area as part of the espionage network for the Middle East.
Being one of the two wetlands in Cyprus which falls under the Ramsar Convention (together with that of Larnaca), the Salt Lake of Akrotiri seduces travelers by offering beautiful images.