Thematic Route: The Cultural Heritage Route

Name of Tourist Attraction: Zăton Lake

Location: in Ponoarele Commune, Mehedinţi County. The lake is located in the depression upstream of the Ponoare Cave, Mehedinţi Plateau, connected to the hydrographic system of the cave.

Description: Zăton Lake, also known as The Great Zăton, has 2 square kilometres and is a temporary lake with moments when it is full, but also during the summer in which it is completely dry. It can stay inexhaustible for a long time if the slopes are covered with alluviums brought from the hillsides. That is why it is also known as the “Phantom Lake”. It is of karst origin and stretches, in precipitation seasons, on a surface of several hectares, below the altitude of 350 m that the depression has. From a karst point of view, Zăton Lake has special particularities, being considered the largest karst lake in Romania. In some rainy spring, when the snow melts, the lake can reach 2.5 km length, a surface of 2 km and more than 20 m deep. The depression of Ponoare, also known as The Little Zăton, has a surface of 0.8 square km with an elongated form, stretching from the Turk Valley to the Valley of the Mills where when there are abundant precipitation, is formed a smaller lake than the Great Zăton.

Legend / Story / Impressions / Recommendations: The name of the lake derives from the verb “a zătoni” which means “to stop the course of water (with lakes)”. Thus, the locals attributed this name to the lake because it is formed by barring the natural way of the water by the Cave Hill.

Information and Contact:

The lake is located on the administrative territory of Ponoarele Commune:

City Hall: tel: +4 0252-381512, website: http://www.ponoarele.ro

Route close to other thematic routes:

In the area you can visit:

– The God`s Bridge, from Ponoarele

– The Bridge Cave, from Ponoarele

– The Fields with Clint, from Ponoarele

– The Lilac Forest in Ponoarele

– The Wood Mill (The Mill of the Cracuceni) located on the Valley of the Mills

– The Ponoarele Church

Other useful information:

Accommodation:

• Conacu’ Boierului: tel: +40740 057 390
• Maria-Elena Boarding House: tel: +4 0752 112 711

Events in Ponoarele Commune:

– The Lilac Feast – in May

– The “Ponoare, Ponoare” National Folklore Festival – Contest – August

GPS Coordinates: lat / long: 44.97233055, 22.754516514236812, elevation: 347 m