Lykabettus

Lykabettus or Lykavittós rises to a height of 277 meters above sea level and is the highest hill in the center of Athens. Similar to the Acropolis, the hill is a prominent landmark in the cityscape of Athens.


 

Limestone shines through the vegetation, and at least in spring, when the plants begin to bloom, the hill becomes a charming natural destination. The hill is a splendid endpoint for views from the densely built city, but it also serves as a uniquely excellent vantage point to observe urban Athens. Particularly, there is a magnificent view of the Acropolis.

Lykabettus photographed from the south, Tsimiski Street
On a clear day in March, the views of Athens were excellent. In the photo, the Acropolis is in the center, with Pireus and the sea in the background.


At the viewpoint, there is a small church of St. George and two restaurants. I ascended to the summit using the underground cable car. At the top, the station is directly at the viewpoint terrace and the restaurants.

Cable car departure station


 

Ascending on foot could have been a more rewarding experience than the stuffy funicular car. On the way down, I chose the pedestrian route. The path was reasonably gentle and easily navigable.

Along the walking route





 

According to a sign attached to the church wall, the church dates back to 1834.

 



The church is from the 19th century, but the hill is also a site from ancient Athens. According to mythology, it was created by Athena dropping a limestone block in that spot. One possible etymology for its name is from the Greek word "Lycos," meaning wolves. Therefore, the hill would have been a territory of wolves.

Location: Aristippou 1, Athina 106 76, Kreikka

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

National Archaeological Museum

Image
If someone interested in ancient Greek civilization were to visit only one museum in Athens besides the Acropolis, the destination could be the National Archaeological Museum of Athens. NAM is the largest museum in Greece and one of the most significant museums in the world dedicated to the cultural heritage of the Mediterranean and antiquity.   Archaeological Museum, March 2022. Photo OI  The museum was founded in 1886, and the building was inaugurated in 1889. Designed by the German architect Ernst Ziller, the structure follows the tradition of Berlin’s Altes Museum and the grand neoclassical museums built thereafter, as well as the neoclassical architecture of Athens created by the Hansen brothers. Ziller (1837–1923) was a major figure in late 19th-century Greek architecture, with over 500 buildings to his name. He also designed an elegant private residence for Heinrich Schliemann, which now houses the Numismatic Museum. Photo from the museum brochure The Archaeological Mus...
Read more

Roman Agora and The Tower of the Winds

Image
During the Roman era, a new commercial center emerged in Athens, known as the Roman Agora. It was built between 19 and 11 BCE, as the older Greek and Hellenistic era Agora had become filled with various activities. The Roman Agora was designated for commercial activities. The western entrance of the Roman Agora, the Athena Archegetis Gate, photographed in March 2022. The picture was taken from inside the Agora. Photo: OI An image on an information board showing the buildings in the area. The old Agora is in the foreground, and the Roman Agora is depicted in color. In the lower part of the information board is the Athena Archegetis Gate. To the right is the Church of Sotira near Pazaroporta, and in the background are the churches of Taxiarchs and Prophitis Ilias. (Chr. Hansen, 1833) The Roman Agora and other key ancient archaeological sites placed on the current map of Athens. The image is from an information board. A combined ticket provides access to these sites. The map also indicate...
Read more

The Benaki Museum of Islamic Art

Image
The Benaki Museum of Islamic Art presents the extensive collections of Antonis Benakis, who was born in Egypt and later moved to Greece. The museum is located relatively close to the Acropolis, and the Kerameikos neighborhood has other archaeological sites and a museum as well. Museum of Islamic Art. March 2022. Photo by OI   I visited the Museum of Islamic Art on Sunday. While transferring from Monastiraki metro station to the museum, one could walk through a vast and interesting antique market area. The museum building is an old neoclassical urban mansion, and the exhibition is spread across several floors. The historical layers of the area are illustrated by the preserved and exhibited part of Athens' old defense wall in the basement, built in preparation for the Macedonian invasion. Preserved defensive structures in the basement. Photo by OI The exhibition is aesthetically well-crafted. The collection appears to be somewhat fragmentary, as collector's collections often are....
Read more