Lago Specchio di Venere (Mirror of Venus lake)

About Lago Specchio di Venere (Mirror of Venus lake)

The Specchio di Venere is Pantelleria's most famous lake and one of the natural wonders of Sicily. It lies in the north of the island, in a volcanic caldera, and is fed by rain and hot springs. Its colour changes from turquoise to emerald green depending on the light, and legend has it that the goddess Venus used it as a mirror before meeting Bacchus.

The hot springs that feed the lake range from about 35 to 58 °C, and at the points near the banks where they rise, the water can exceed 40 °C. The rest of the lake is cooler. On the southern shore, where the water is shallow, is the mud: many visitors cover themselves in clay and let it dry in the sun before rinsing off in the lake.

Access is free: there are no spas, changing rooms or showers, just the lake and the volcanic landscape all around. It's about a quarter of an hour's drive from the town of Pantelleria and you can leave the car along the road beside it. The bottom is muddy and slippery, so water shoes are useful.

Thanks to the shallow water in many areas, the lake can also suit families, as long as children are kept away from the spots where the hottest water rises. In summer, especially in August, the sun is fierce and there is no shade: it's better to go early in the morning or late in the afternoon, with a hat and plenty of drinking water.

Pantelleria is a unique island, full of free natural hot springs: besides the Specchio di Venere there are the Grotta di Sataria, the Gadir pools, the natural sauna of Benikulà and the Nikà springs. With a car or a scooter you can visit them all in a couple of days.

One last tip: the lake is a fragile, protected environment, and its balance also depends on how visitors behave. Avoid heavy sunscreen before getting into the water, don't take away mud or stones and don't leave rubbish on the shore. That way the Specchio di Venere can remain one of the most beautiful places in the Mediterranean for those who come after you.