Did you know that this lake was considered by the medieval Romans as the entrance to Hades, or Hell? Virgil’s epic chronicle Aeneid has its main character Aeneas descend into the depths of the underworld through a cave near the lake. Avernus has been immortalized in various paintings and writings, and served as a muse for multiple artists. Despite its forbidding status in Roman myth, the locals had no qualms settling along its fertile shores, constructing vineyards and villas and even a bathhouse. A personified deity of the lake was even worshipped in lakeside temples. Despite its romanticized nature, the reality is no less exciting. This body of water was born from a volcanic crater after an unknown volcanic eruption. It is roughly circular in shape, cutting a striking figure amidst the surrounding greenery. The lake’s depths still contain the ruins of an ancient waterway dug by Roman General Agrippa, the world’s first major road tunnel. More intriguingly, the lake was investigated years ago by police on claims of its status as a mafia stronghold and hideout for a ruthless assassin. With so many fascinating stories about the lake cemented in history, you have to take a trip down to discover it for yourself.