Stymphalia is a lake widely known, thanks to the sixth labor of Heracles involving the Stymphalian Birds, one of the most famous of his tasks. What may be less known is that the lake today constitutes the southernmost mountain wetland of the Balkans and one of the most significant in Europe.
It is a shallow lake, known since ancient times, situated at an altitude of 600 meters between Mount Oligyrtos and Mount Ziria. It drains through sinkholes that lead its waters to Kefalari in Argolis or the valley of Skoteini. Its waters mainly originate from the hydrological system of Mount Ziria and the drainage of the Pellini Plain via the Paparigopoulos Tunnel. During winter months, its surface area can reach up to 3.5 square kilometers, while its depth in permanently submerged areas ranges from 2 meters in spring to half a meter by the end of summer.
According to mythology, the lake owes its name to Stymphalus, a local king and son of Elatus, greatly loved by his people. Stymphalus was treacherously murdered by Pelops when the latter attempted to conquer the region of Stymphalia. Stymphalus’ body was dismembered and scattered throughout the area, and the gods’ wrath over his unjust death caused unprecedented drought and infertility until the pious Aeacus prayed on behalf of the Stymphalians.
This lesser-known myth associated with the lake contrasts with its most famous myth involving the Stymphalian Birds and Heracles’ sixth labor. The hero arrived at the lake to confront the man-eating birds with bronze beaks, which hid in dense reed beds, terrorizing the region’s inhabitants and their herds. With valuable assistance from Athena, Heracles managed to defeat and permanently drive away the birds from the area, thereby fulfilling his sixth labor.
Today, the lake continues to host unique species and has been declared a protected area, integrated into the Natura 2000 network, covering an area of approximately 12.83 square kilometers. Stymphalia serves as a rest and reproduction station for many migratory bird species, including the rare Ferruginous Duck. Apart from this distinct species, the lake’s reed beds provide refuge for coots, herons, marsh harriers, great bitterns, little grebes, peregrine falcons, short-toed eagles, and little bitterns. The lake’s waters also host a unique endemic fish species, Phoxinellus stymfalicious, which possesses the ability to survive by sinking into the thick layer of mud that forms around its body when the lake dries up. It is listed as a threatened species and is included in the EU’s “Red List,” along with other animals and plants in the region.
