According to tales, in this lake is located the gate to the underworld. We came here because saw a documentary of mysteries where the host showed the “gate” with a device measuring the level of carbon dioxide and explained that priests used to placed animals there where they die to show the power but as written before never found that place (most probably off-limits). This lake is linked to the Golden Bough myth (Aeneid, book 6); there are remains of an old circular structure called temple of Apollo (sibyls worshipped Apollo but is not clear if that was a bathhouse) and there is a tunnel built during the early Roman period that connects with the town of Cumae but it is normally closed for the public. Once Lake Avernus was connected to the sea but a series of earthquakes in the XVI century changed the landscape of the area. Nowadays is more a tranquil lake where locals jog, bike, dog walk, birdwatch, not particularly attractive for a foreigner specially if traveling with a tight itinerary because time is precious. But if there is a special occasion that they open that tunnel with live reading excerpts of all the myths connected with this lake with Cumae historical tour, wine tasting and happen to be here in the area, it will be a great opportunity.

Easy walk around the lake. Nice lakeside restaurant but on Sundays book or go early otherwise you will not get in!