Lake Cercinitis

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Lake Cercinitis, also called Kerkinitis (Greek: Κερκινίτιδα), was a lake in ancient Edonis, in the lower valley of the Strymon River. It lies in today’s Serres regional unit and is identified with the dry Lake Achinos. According to Arrian, Alexander the Great’s fleet anchored in this lake before sailing to Asia Minor. Archaeologists have found stone anchors and inscriptions showing that ships sailed on the lake and that lakeside settlements existed near the current villages of Paralimni, Pethelinos, Psychiko, and Mesokomi. The Strymon River flowed from its mouth into Lake Cercinitis, creating a waterway that connected the Strymonian Gulf to inland lands near Serres, aiding trade and travel.