Parnitha

Mount Parnitha is a beautiful mountain range located north of Athens. It is the highest mountain on the peninsula of Attica, reaching up to 1,413 meters at its peak, called Karavola. Much of the mountain is protected as a national park, providing a safe home for many kinds of wild birds. The mountain covers around 250 square kilometers of land and has several other important peaks, such as Mavrovouni and Ornio. Two small shelters, Mpafi and Flampouri, can be found on the mountain for visitors. The name Parnitha has been used since ancient times, when the area was part of the old communities of Acharnae and Decelea.

Geography

Towns near Mount Parnitha include Aspropyrgos, Fyli, Acharnes, Varymbombi, Thrakomakedones, Dekeleia, Avlona and Agios Stefanos. The A1 motorway and the Attiki Odos motorway run close to the mountain.

From the top of Parnitha, you can see many beautiful views, including nearby mountains like Penteli and Hymettus, the Thriasian Plain, the Saronic Gulf with islands such as Salamina and Aigina, and parts of Athens.

Climate

Mount Parnitha has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate. It often gets snow in winter and stays cool in summer. The area receives more rain than other parts of east and southern Attica. The mountain has experienced big snowstorms, such as in 2005 and 2006, which sometimes close roads and trap cars.

Ecology

The slopes of Mount Parnitha below 1,000 meters are covered with Aleppo Pine forests, but these forests face threats from fires, such as those in 2005, 2007, 2021, and 2023. Above 1,000 meters, you can find Greek Fir trees, grasses, and shrubbery, while lower areas are mostly farmland and homes. The mountain is home to about 1,000 different plants, including crocuses and tulips, and it also provides a natural home for red deer, which lived there in ancient times but are now fewer in number after a big fire in 2007. More fires happened in 2021 and 2023, affecting many parts of the forest.

Historical monuments and places of interest

Parnitha has many interesting places from ancient times. In the past, people built strong forts on the mountain to protect the area of Attica, especially Classical Athens, from enemies who came from the north. Some of these forts, like the Phyle fortress, are still in good shape today. Other important forts include Panakton in Dervenochoria and Eleutherae near Mount Cithaeron. Dekeleia was a key fort near the old royal palace in Tatoi, and there was also a fort called Limiko inside the mountain.

There are also special buildings from later times. The Monastery of Kleiston is a Byzantine monastery from the 13th century. Southeast of Parnitha, in a thick forest, stands Tatoi Palace, which was once the home of the Greek royal family. It was built in the 19th century but is now empty.

Parnitha also has natural wonders. The cave of Panas on the west side of the mountain was a place where people honored their beliefs in ancient times. Near the cave are deep gorges, such as the Gouras gorge and the Keladonas river gorge. Another beautiful spot is Beletsi Lake on the east side of the mountain, close to Afidnes. This lake is a special home for birds that travel long distances. The national park is often called the "lungs of Athens" because it provides fresh air to the city.

Modern facilities

Near the top of Mount Parnitha, there is a casino called the Regency Casino Mont Parnes. You can reach it using a special suspended cable car. There are also two shelters on the mountain, with Mpafi being the most well-known.

The mountain has many trails and forest roads for people to explore. It is also home to Athens' second television and radio transmitter, which has been broadcasting since the mid-1950s. It sends out signals for many television channels like ERT, ANT1, Mega, Alter, Super Sport, Seven X, and Filmnet, as well as many radio stations such as ERA Radio, Klik FM, ANT1 Radio, Ciao FM, Rhythmos, Super Sport FM, Top FM, and others. The road leading to this transmitter was paved in the mid-20th century.

2007 wildfire

See also: 2007 Greek forest fires

In June 2007, a big wildfire damaged Mount Parnitha. The fire started on June 28 and burned for several days, destroying about 56 square kilometers of land. It was one of the worst wildfires in the area after a fire in Penteli.

Firefighters, helicopters, and planes worked hard to stop the fire, which spread quickly because of strong winds. The fire reached the edges of Greater Athens, affecting places like Ano Liosia and Fyli. It also hurt forests in Schimatari, ruining many trees and harming animals.

By June 30, the fire was mostly under control, and it was fully put out on July 1. Scientists think it may take up to a hundred years for the area to heal. They worry about air quality and possible flooding in the years to come. Plans are in place to plant new trees to help the forest grow back.

The cause of the fire is still being looked into. Some think a power line transformer might have exploded in the heat, while others believe it could have been set on purpose to clear land for building.