The myth of the ink lake in Algeria. Unique lake of ink in Algeria

All over the planet there are various amazing places and natural attractions that amaze people. Africa alone is worth something! Its beauty and uniqueness attract tourists from all over the world, as well as workers from many parts of Africa.

However, on this the Black Continent never ceases to amaze, its wonders, it seems, will never end. No less unusual and spectacular is the Ink Lake in Algeria, which also surprises with the color and composition of the water, if it is appropriate to call it that.

This reservoir got its name not in vain, because ink is located on its shores. However, this did not happen because of man-made accidents or disruptions in the work of a special plant, but in a natural way. That is, Ink Lake is real and created by nature.

This phenomenal object is located near big city Sidi Bel Abbes in the northwestern province of the same name. This metropolis is quite developed, like the whole country, after all, by other states at the international level. However, it is not the standard of living and the development of technology that attract foreigners to these lands, namely unusual lake, which in the local language is called Sidi Moame Benali.

Ink lake in Algeria

Someone comes to Algeria to see firsthand the local attractions, which are mainly related to religion and culture, for example:

However, on the territory of the country there are many such amazing places that were created by nature, for example:

  • National park Shrea;
  • Teniet El Had National Park;
  • Shott-Melgir;
  • Belezma National Park;
  • Gureya;
  • Ink lake.

The last place among the inhabitants has various names in addition to the main one:

  • Black Lake;
  • Inkwell;
  • The eye of the devil.

All this is due to the unusual color of the reservoir and its direct content. And although this phenomenon was absolutely mystical for a long time, scientists finally figured out the origin of such an effect.

The Ink Lake was formed in Algeria as a result of the fact that two rivers flow into it at the same time, which differ in their chemical compositions:

  • the first has a lot of iron salts in its water;
  • the second is saturated with various organic compounds, as it flows through a valley covered with peat bogs.

Connecting together in the lake, these two rivers bring waters such that they enter into commonplace chemical reactions. The result of such processes was the formation of ink.

Naturally, there is nothing living in such Ink Lake - no traces of flora or fauna, because such a substance is poisonous. In this regard, it is forbidden to swim in it in order to preserve health, moreover, the ink is very corrosive and difficult to wash out.

If for visitors this is a curiosity and an exotic corner among the locals are afraid of the lake, as they consider it devilish. The same is reflected in the local popular legend, which describes the emergence of the lake.

In accordance with it, evil spirits once walked the local lands, inciting residents to sinful deeds. Then the devil you he bathed the souls who followed him, only to sign such an agreement, it was necessary to use special witchcraft ink. This substance sucked out all strength and health from everyone who sold his soul, the girls were also deprived of beauty.

One day the Unclean One used up all the ink, so he had to turn the water of the local clean lake into this magical substance to refill your jar. After that, it was believed that a visit to the Ink Lake in Algeria boded a curse and lack of health.

And although this legend is widespread among the Algerian population, there are other variations of it and other legends explaining the natural phenomenon:

  • curse of the Devil;
  • the intrigues of aliens;
  • the remains of a vanished civilization.

It is worth noting that Africans are not in vain afraid of this dark reservoir, since not only the liquid in it is poisonous, but also unpleasant smelling vapors, if you constantly stay there. Therefore, no one lives next to him.

Still, the ink from the lake is in great demand in the area, as its quality is very good. In this regard, this material is used for:

  • making pens;
  • drawing ink;
  • creating souvenirs.

Moreover, such products are sold not only to local retail outlets, but also much further:

  • Mediterranean;
  • Near East;
  • Middle East.

So this unusual natural object, which, by the way, many consider fictitious, brings fame and profit to its neighborhoods, because the ink produced there is always in demand and is available in unlimited quantities.

In Algeria, near the town of Sidi Bel Abbes, located. There are many names for this reservoir, but the most famous are " Ink lake", "Devil's eye", "Black lake"," Inkwell ".

The lake got its name due to the fact that instead of water, the lake is filled with real ink. Since the ink is poisonous, there are no fish and no plants in the pond.

For a long time, scientists could not understand the nature of the emergence Ink lake, but thanks to the development of new technologies, this mystery of nature has been solved. The reason for the emergence of such an unusual substance for the reservoir was two rivulets that flow into the lake. One river has a high concentration of iron salts. The other contains a large amount of various organic compounds that are washed out of peat bogs.

Flowing together into the lake, the streams enter into chemical reactions with each other, and thanks to the constantly occurring interactions, the amount of ink does not decrease, but increases more and more.

Aborigines have different attitudes towards the strange reservoir. Some believe that the lake is the creation of the devil, others are a source of income. Black Lake ink can be found on the shelves of concession shops not only in Algeria, but also in other countries.

They started talking about the Algerian town of Sidi Bel Abbes after an unusual reservoir was discovered on its territory, the uniqueness of which lies in the fact that it is filled not with ordinary water, but with real ink that can be safely used for writing. Of course, you won't be able to fish here, because this place is unsightly even for plants, not to mention any living organisms.

Did you miss some really good fishing? How about throwing your rod into the ocean? This is what fishing in Mauritius implies. Here you can catch not just commonplace tuna, but espadon, black marlin and even a small shark. Details on the website elite-voyage.com.ru.

Scientists have been trying to solve the riddle for a long time, and just recently the answer was found. It turned out that the appearance of ink in the lake is the result of the confluence of two rivers in this particular reservoir, one of which is a source of a huge amount of iron salts, and the other is a source of organic compounds found in peat bogs. Thanks to this "tandem", a real natural inkwell appeared, the history of which is shrouded in a huge number of legends.

Locals love to tell the story of how the dark forces used to buy living souls in their town. And then one day, signing a contract, they ran out of ink, so they decided to get out of their position in such an unusual way.

People are divided over the origin of the strange lake, which they like to call Black or Ink. Some consider him to be the tricks of evil spirits and try not to even come close to him, but the more daring, having managed to establish a business, now earn money on it. There are also those who would prefer to see ordinary water in this lake, because the climate in these places is very dry, so drinking water would not be a hindrance.

For the sake of fairness, it should be noted that the quality of ink in this lake is quite high, and therefore they are sold not only in Algeria, but also in many other countries. Tourists take great pleasure from local residents various souvenirs made from these natural raw materials.

Nevertheless, scientists warn everyone who wants to see this miracle of nature that staying for a long time near such an unusual and interesting sight can be dangerous to health, because there is a great chance of getting serious poisoning with corrosive fumes.

In the north of Africa, there is a unique natural site - Ink lake... And it is named so for a reason, the water in it both in color and in chemical composition resembles real ink. This body of water is located in Algeria near the city Sidi Bel Abbes, its depth does not exceed 50 meters, and its dimensions are approximately 160 × 460 m.

Many scientists have been trying for a long time to uncover the secret of ink water, many studies and experiments have been carried out, as a result of which it was possible to find out the reason for the appearance of this natural phenomenon. This is not at all pollution of the lake with waste and not a man-made disaster, the reservoir was formed naturally. Two rivers flowing into the lake were to blame for everything: in the water of one of them there is a high concentration of iron salts, and in the composition of the waters of the other, a large amount of organic compounds was found, which came from nearby peat bogs. The substances of the two river streams, combining together, enter into a chemical reaction, and the result of this process is the formation of ink. Such a cruel "joke" was played by nature itself.

Local residents are wary and wary of this place, they consider the appearance of this reservoir to be the intrigues of Satan himself. There is even a local legend about Ink Lake. In ancient times, the devil lived in these places, he tempted people, forcing them to sin, and then bought up human souls. The contract between Satan and the sinner was signed with special ink, which deprived a person of strength and health, and also took away her beauty from a woman. But one day this ink ran out, and then the devil decided in it to turn water in a lake that was nearby. Because of this legend, the locals have a belief that anyone who comes close to Ink Lake will be cursed and lose their health forever. No wonder this reservoir has other names: Black Lake, Devil's Eye, Inkwell.

But all the fears of the local residents cannot be considered unfounded, since the fumes emanating from the reservoir are indeed poisonous, exude an unpleasant odor and negatively affect the well-being of a person if he is on the shore for a long time. Nobody lives or builds houses near the lake. In addition, there is absolutely no life in the waters of the lake: no fish, no animals, no plants. It is forbidden to swim in it, as this can cause significant damage to human health and skin, and it will not be easy to wash off the ink.

But, despite all the legends and legends, those who want to look at this unique reservoir, created by nature itself, are not decreasing. Locals also try to capitalize on the proximity of such a phenomenal body of water - they fill their pens with amazing ink from the lake, and then sell them as souvenirs. Pens with this ink can be found not only in Algeria, they are sold in other African countries, as well as in the Mediterranean, the Near and Middle East.

Did you know that on the territory of Algeria there is a unique lake filled not with water, but with real ink?

Ink Lake is a real bad place for plants and animals, it is worth noting that it is not the only one of its kind.

There is a similar "cemetery" for animals in Tanzania, hidden in a body of water, called.

Let's return to the ink lake. If you think that the water in the lake has acquired an extraordinary, one might even say - unnatural, color due to some man-made accident, then you are mistaken.


A natural phenomenon the ink lake is explained by the fact that two rivers flow into it, the water of one of which is unusually rich in iron salts. Another river is saturated with various organic compounds that enter its waters from peat bogs.

As a result, mixing in the lake of ink, which, by the way, is called Sidi Moame Benali in the local dialect, the streams of water of the two rivers enter into chemical reactions. This is how a caustic and destructive ink liquid is formed.


No wonder there are no animals or plants in the lake! However, as local residents assure, you can safely write on paper with such water. Benali is also not allowed to swim in the waters of Sidi Moam, because the ink strongly eats into the skin and is not easily washed off, and in general it is harmful to human health.

Local legends

It is not at all surprising that mysterious legends composed by local residents have long been walking around this blue lake. For example, according to one of them, the lake, which is also called the Devil's, arose at a time when various evil spirits walked in the lands of Algeria. Evil spirits pitted people, enticed them to commit bad deeds.


In order to take possession of the souls of sinners, Satan himself had to sign a kind of contract for the "purchase of a soul", only for this they needed not simple ink, but special ink, capable of sucking everything out of a fallen person to the last drop. There were more and more people who succumbed to the devil, and there was no longer enough ink. Then the Unclean realized that it was possible to turn the water in a nearby lake into the very ink.

Since then, there has been a belief that everyone who steps into the waters of Ink Lake will lose health and be cursed forever.

A creepy story, isn't it? But she put a solid barrier between the locals and the waters of Sidi Moame Benali. None of them dares to approach the ominous lake until now.