Marmisho Lake

Marmisho Lake lies 45 kilometres west of the city of Urmia in West Azerbaijan Province, close to the border between Iran and Turkey. The lake covers an area of 5 hectares and is 50 to 60 metres deep. Its water comes from the Nazlu Chay River, which rises in the Baybun and Setareh Lavand mountains and finally flows into a lush, scenic gorge. The area was previously inhabited by Christians, and the lake takes its name from their leader, Benyamin Mar Shimon.

The vegetation around the lake includes poplar, oak and walnut trees. The lake is home to a variety of aquatic species such as trout, which makes it a good place for fishing. However, this year fishing has been banned because of overfishing here. Since this is a border area, the border regiment does not allow overnight stays, and you may enter the area only until 4 p.m. at the latest. Marmisho was formed by an earthquake and a landslide dam across the water flowing along the Iran–Turkey border. In recent years, floods have filled the lake with sand and silt, and its depth and surface area have shrunk sharply. Another cause of the lake's erosion and degradation is the neglect of the authorities.

Another activity that makes Marmisho Lake special, and well known, is beekeeping, which is carried out by local people. If you are planning a trip to Urmia and want to see Marmisho Lake, we recommend choosing summer, the warmest time of the year. Winters here are very cold, and the road becomes both icy and dangerous. If you choose a suitable season for your trip, you will certainly see the tents of nomads camped near the lake. You can also camp near the lake next to the nomads, enjoy chatting with them and experience the nomadic way of life.