Lake Pergusa, Enna

LAKE PERGUSA, ENNA

Lake Pergusa now this is the only natural lake in Sicily, and is located a few kilometers from Enna. It is modest in size but of great geological importance, wildlife and culture and for this there was established the first Special Nature Reserve of the Sicilian Region, while the European Union has promoted the lake to the Site of Community Importance.

For the beauty of the landscape on the lake was a place of focus of classical writers who just Pergusa have set the Rape of Persephone for the Greeks, the Rape of Proserpina by the Romans. (Source wiki)

Known since ancient times, it is among a group of hills belonging to Erei, encircling almost the entire sub-elliptical shape of the basin that welcomes the reservoir.

The lake is located in the territory of the village of Pergusa, a hamlet of Enna and place a few kilometers from the capital. The reserve was established in 1995 by the Law of the Sicilian Region, and also has been identified as a Special Protection Area (SPA).

The lake is of tectonic origin and brackish waters, despite being in the middle. The fact is mainly due to the lack of discharges and the water in the millennia has filled the lake basin, it is output only by evaporation leaving the salts which over time were dissolved from the soil.

Along the coast of the lake is the Autodromo di Pergusa a very important racetrack nearly 5 kilometers long.

Built in 1951, it has been the scene of prestigious international events including Formula 1, the World Superbike Championship and Targa Florio, which was attended by many legendary names in international motorsport.