The Blue Eye: Albania's Mesmerizing Spring

The Blue Eye (Syri i Kaltër), a mesmerizing freshwater spring, is a natural phenomenon located near the village of Muzinë in southern Albania. Situated between Sarandë and Gjirokastër, it's a popular day trip destination renowned for its striking beauty and the clarity of its turquoise water. The spring is believed to be fed by the karst rocks of the Drinos Valley.From above, the Blue Eye strikingly resembles a human eye. The center of the spring is a deep, dark blue, mimicking a pupil, while the surrounding water is a lighter, bright blue, resembling an iris. The water is so clear that you can see to the bottom, though the spring's actual depth remains a mystery. Divers have descended to 50 meters, but the strong water pressure has prevented them from reaching the bottom. The source has a discharge rate of 18,400 liters per second, feeding into the 25km-long Bistricë River, which flows into the Ionian Sea.Local legends add to the allure of the Blue Eye. One tells of a giant snake (or dragon in some versions) that terrorized the area, devouring people and animals. A brave old man tricked the snake into eating a donkey filled with burning straw, causing the snake's eye to fall from the mountain and create the Blue Eye, which continues to cry to this day.Visitors can enjoy the lush greenery surrounding the spring and a restaurant with traditional food. While swimming was once popular, it is now officially prohibited, though some visitors still brave the cold waters.