Fengari

Fengari (Greek: Φεγγάρι), also known as Saos (Greek: Σάος), is the tallest mountain in the Aegean island of Samothrace, Greece, with an elevation of 1,611 metres (5,285 ft).

Fengari
Φεγγάρι
Highest point
Elevation1,611 m (5,285 ft)[1]
Prominence1,611 m (5,285 ft)[1]
ListingUltra
Coordinates40°27′29.45″N 25°33′31.66″E
Naming
English translationMoon
Language of nameGreek
Geography
Fengari is located in Greece
Fengari
Fengari
Location in Greece
LocationSamothrace, Greece
Climbing
Easiest routeHiking

Etymology

The previous name of the mountain, Sáos, which means safe is still used in some maps. The current common name, though, is Fengari or Fenghári, which means moon.

According to a local legend, anyone who stands at the top of the mountain during the night of a full moon will see something that they wish for coming true.[2]

History

During classical antiquity, this mountain was very useful for sailors' navigation, due to its relative height and prominence.[3] In legend, Poseidon watched the Trojan War from the peak.[4]

Access to the summit

The easiest way to access the summit of Fengari is via the northern side of the mountain, from the village of Therma. Near the summit, the path becomes extremely rocky, and rocks marked by red spray paint to help keep hikers on track. During the summer, this area can contain considerable cloud and mist.[5] On clear days, though, the view from this area includes a large part of the northern Aegean Sea and stretches from the Troad in the East to Mount Athos in the West.[6]

Environment

Due its height and the diversity of its climate, many very interesting and rare plant species can be found on Fengari. On its cliffs and gorges, for example, Polygonum icaricum can be found; the species only grows in Samothrace and in Icaria. Several subspecies of Potentilla montana also grow near the top of the mountain. In addition, the mountain contains a very rich and diverse variety of bird life.[7] Other plants endemic to Mount Fengari include Alyssum degenianum, Symphyandra samothracica, Herniaria degenii, and Potentilla geoides.[8]

See also

References
  1. "Europe ultra-prominence". peaklist.org. Retrieved 2016-01-04.
  2. Lance Chilton; Marc Dubin; Mark Ellingham (2004). The Rough Guide to the Greek Islands. Rough Guides. p. 443. ISBN 9781843532590. Retrieved 2016-01-04.
  3. Giovanni Uggeri; et al. (2007). Paolo di Tarso: Archeologia - Storia - Ricezione (in Italian). Effatà Editrice. p. 250. ISBN 9788874025565. Retrieved 2016-01-04.
  4. "Mount Fengari".
  5. Mount Fengari. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2016-01-04. {{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)
  6. Dana Facaros; Michael Pauls (2007). The Greek Islands. New Holland. p. 598. ISBN 9781860113253. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2016-01-04.
  7. Bob Gibbons (2003). Greece. Oxford University Press. p. 127. ISBN 9780198504375. Retrieved 2016-01-04.
  8. Facaros, Dana (2020). Northern Greece: the Bradt travel guide. Chesham, Buckinghamshire. p. 220. ISBN 978-1-78477-631-2. OCLC 1140936749.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
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