Cercinitis Lake
# Cercinitis Lake

Cercinitis or Kerkinitis (Greek: Κερκινίτιδα) was a lake in ancient Edonis, in the lower valley of the river Strymon. It was located within today's Serres regional unit and is identified with the currently dried Achinos Lake.

According to Arrian, in this lake was anchored Alexander the Great’s fleet before sailing to Asia Minor beach. Archaeological findings (stone anchors etc.) and inscriptions show the existence of both sailing on the lake and ancient lakeside settlements near the current villages of Paralimni, Pethelinos, Psychiko and Mesokomi.

Since the river Strymon was floating from its estuary to lake Cercinitis, formed thus a waterway that allowed commercial penetration from the Strymonian Gulf to the hinterland reaching almost to the ancient city of Serres.

