The government chose to build a small dam and to create a small, oblong, magnificent lake, in a truly wild and virgin landscape formed by the Gialias river. It was enriched with fish, among which hundreds of goldfish give life to the small lake, as they move in shoals. On the shores of the lakes, fishermen try to tempt the fish with their lure.
The surrounding area is composed of small hills with steep and inaccessible slopes. The pine trees complete the image, offering the lake a blue green colour, as they are reflected in its waters.
Flocks of sheep and goats give the visitor the chance to meet these animals from close.
The dam is small. Its overflow is only eight metres long, but they are enough to gather thousands of cubic metres of water. This water irrigates the surrounding fields. Once the dam is filled, Gialias continues its flow through a bed that was “carved” millions of years ago. The aqua plants with the characteristic form of a “reed bed”, transforms into a wall and does not allow you to observe the flow of the river.
The only noise you hear, is the river’s gurgle as it is “freed” from the dam and it flows to the overflow, to meet its bed once again and the melodies from the birds that arrive from great distances to drink water from the dam. Among them, hundreds of doves “take their bathe” at its shores.
The small lake formed by the dam of Mathiatis with the purity of its environment is a wonderful destination for a trip out of the city. Attention is required on the area of the dam. The biodiversity should be protected, as well as its cleanliness. Wildflowers that grow on hills should not be cut nor eradicated (the law anticipates a fine of as great as 700 euros).
How can you reach this small paradise? From the Pera chorio Nisou, you head towards Agia Varvara. You cross this village and get to the beautiful village of Mathiatis. From there on, you go towards Analyontas. After you get out of the settled area, you take the first turn on the right. The road is covered in asphalt for 700 metres. From there on, it is a dirt road for another 800 metres. You travel this distance straight and in the end you are found facing the Gialias river as it flows over the dam. Enjoy it.
