Lake Petron

Directions

Λίμνη Πετρών

Lake Petron, also known as Lake Amyntaio, is a nearly circular lake at about 560 m in the south of Florina, about 3 km west of Lake Vegoritida, in a basin enclosed by the mountains of Triklario, Varnountas, Vernon and Voras. It is up to about 5 m deep and often freezes in winter.

How it formed

It receives water from Lake Chimaditida by a canal and drains into Vegoritida, as part of a connected system of wetlands.

History

On Gradista hill above the lake stand the remains of ancient Petres, a fortified Hellenistic city with terraced houses, which grew from the 2nd century BC with the Via Egnatia.

Nature

Wide reed beds and little disturbance make it a refuge for birds, with more than 90 species recorded. It holds one of the three largest breeding colonies of pygmy cormorants in Greece, along with ferruginous ducks, and white-tailed eagles pass over. Lesser white-fronted geese sometimes roost in the meadows around it.

Visit

Swimming

No reliable information

Tips

From the Egnatia motorway, take the Ptolemaida exit and head towards Amyntaio; the lake is about 140 km from Thessaloniki. The only bird observatory in the area is about 3 km from Agios Panteleimonas, and the archaeological site of Petres overlooks the shore.

Amyntaio is known for its vineyards and its Xinomavro wine, and apple and peach orchards fill the plain, at their best in blossom. Agios Panteleimonas has a restaurant with lake views.