Lerna

Lerna was an ancient city in Argolis, about 7 km south of Argos, which was a sacred grove with numerous sources.

At least since Neolithic times Lerna was inhabited, from the Frühhelladikum (2500-2300 BC ) comes a large, palatial buildings, the so-called house of bricks. The staircase shows that the house had at least 2 floors.

According to Greek mythology, Heracles killed the Hydra here, in this may have been a personification of the sources.

Pausanias, the " halcyon sea" located here have served as entrance to the underworld, and that Dionysus came down here to rescue his mother Semele from Hades. The lake was groundless, what Emperor Nero had found confirmed during his stay in Greece by experiment. This myth probably refers to the mystery cult of Lernaeen, which was celebrated here in the sanctuary of Dionysos Saotes. The faith of the Argives after Dionysus sank in Lake Lerna, which symbolizes his fall into the underworld. According to another version Perseus was victorious over him and plunged him into the lake of Lerna.

Today, a district of the municipality Argos - Mycenae is named with the main town Myli after the ancient Lerna.