ΟΔΗΓΟΣ ΔΥΤΙΚΗΣ ΑΘΗΝΑΣ ΟΔΗΓΟΣ - ΔΥΤΙΚΗ ΑΘΗΝΑ ΑΤΤΙΚΗ | Page 29

Ελληνικό Δίκτυο ΦΙΛΟΙ της ΦΥΣΗΣ Η Λίμνη Κουμουνδούρου, Αρχαίες Λίμνες των Ρειτών, από το Ποικίλο Όρος. 27 Koumoundourou Lake, Ancient Reitoi, from Mount Poikilon. Koumoundourou Lake Nature Reserve (Ancient Reitoi) 15 th km Athens – Corinth National Road, necessary for visitors it lies inside military installations and a permit is Koumoundourou Lake lies between Skaramangas and the oil refineries, an ecosystem in danger. It is one of the ancient Reitoi Lakes, dedicated to Demeter and her daughter Persephone that remained intact until the 19 th century. Their water came from the sea and only the goddesses’ priests were allowed to fish in them. Locals describe them as real wetlands with clear, continuously renewed waters, full of fish and reeds all around, with scores of nesting birds. After 1950s, the northern lake, Demeter’s one, known as Kefalari, was drained and turned into land. The southern lake, Persephone’s, still exists and is called Koumoundourou, after a politician. Today it hosts more than 75 species of birds. Environmental and civil groups are fighting for its existence and restoration.