20.07.2026 09:01
"Heart-shaped Lake", located in the Ezine district of Çanakkale, which offers unique views to its visitors every year, has regained its characteristic pink color with the arrival of July. Due to the heavy rainfall last month, this fascinating color change in the lake occurred with a delay this year.
The natural wonder lake, located in the seaside part of Dalyan village in the Ezine district of Çanakkale, has once again taken on tones that mesmerize viewers. Situated in the inner harbor of the Ancient City of Alexandria Troas and popularly known as "Pink Lake" or "Heart-shaped Lake," the lake is among the region's most striking natural riches, turning into brick and pink tones during certain periods of the year.
WHY WAS THE COLOR CHANGE DELAYED THIS YEAR?
The color change in the lake, which attracts thousands of people every year, manifested itself this July. The reason the visual feast in the lake started later than usual this year was meteorological conditions. The region receiving its heaviest rainfall in the last 13 years last month affected the lake's natural process, causing the pink coloration to occur with a delay.
THE SCIENTIFIC SECRET OF THE PINK COLOR: DUNALIELLA SALINA
The element that gives the lake's waters this unique pink and reddish tones is entirely a biological process. During the summer months, as the weather warms up, the salinity level in the lake waters rapidly increases. With the change in environmental conditions, the excessive reproduction of a microscopic organism called "dunaliella salina" living in the lake results in these unique pink and red tones.
IT TAKES A HEART SHAPE IN SUMMER AND MUSTARD YELLOW IN WINTER
The lake attracts nature enthusiasts not only with its color but also with the physical shape it occasionally takes. Depending on the rising and falling of the water level, the lake takes on a distinct heart shape in the summer months.
This natural cycle in the region continues to offer different color palettes according to the seasons. The lake, which takes on pinkish tones especially in September, typically turns mustard yellow in November and December. However, even during the winter period, due to temperature changes on some days, the waters can regain that famous pink color.