Mount Lycabettus

Mount Lycabettus (/ˌlaɪkəˈbɛtəs/), also known as Lycabettos, Lykabettos or Lykavittos (Greek: Λυκαβηττός, pronounced [likaviˈtos]), is a Cretaceous limestone hill in the Greek capital Athens. At 277 meters (908 feet) above sea level, its summit is the highest point in Central Athens and pine trees cover its base. The name also refers to the residential neighbourhood immediately below the east of the hill.

Lykavittos
Λυκαβηττός
Neighborhood
Coordinates: 37°58′40″N 23°44′30″E
CountryGreece
RegionAttica
CityAthens
Postal code
114 71, 115 21
Websitewww.lycabettushill.com

The hill is a tourist destination and can be ascended by the Lycabettus Funicular, a funicular railway which climbs the hill from a lower terminus at Kolonaki (The railway station can be found at Aristippou street). At its two peaks are the 19th century Chapel of St. George, a theatre, and a restaurant.

Mythical and legendary stories

Lycabettus appears in various legends. Popular stories suggest it was once the refuge of wolves, (lycos in Greek), which is possibly the origin of its name (means "the one [the hill] that is walked by wolves"). Another etymology suggests a Pelasgian, pre-Mycenean, origin (Lucabetu=mastoid hill).[1]

Mythologically, Lycabettus is credited to Athena, who created it when she dropped a limestone mountain she had been carrying from the Pallene peninsula for the construction of the Acropolis after the box holding Erichthonius was opened.

Panorama from Mount Lycabettus, with a view of the Panathinaiko Stadium, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Hellenic Parliament and the Acropolis of Athens.

Theatre

The hill has a large open-air amphitheatre near the top, which has housed many Greek and international concerts. Since 2008 it is closed due to safety concerns. By 2022 the city of Athens suggested the renovation and reopening of the theatre.[2] Among the artists who have performed at the Lycabettus theatre are Ray Charles, Joan Baez, B.B. King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Leonard Cohen, James Brown, Bob Dylan, Paco De Lucia, Al Di Meola, John Mc Laughlin, Gary Moore, Peter Gabriel, Black Sabbath, Nick Cave, Bjork, Dead Can Dance, Pet Shop Boys, Deep Purple, UB40, Placebo, Morrissey, Radiohead, Moby, Massive Attack, Faith No More, Faithless, Whitesnake, Tracy Chapman, Nightwish, Slipknot, Patti Smith, Vanessa Mae, Bryan Ferry, Tito Puente, Buena Vista Social Club, Orishas, The Prodigy, Iron Maiden, Nazareth, Blackmore's Night and Scorpions.

  • View from Lykavittos Hill over Athens
    View from Lykavittos Hill over Athens
  • View from the Acropolis by Francis Bedford, 1862
    View from the Acropolis by Francis Bedford, 1862
  • Lycabettus c. 1870-80, without St. George's Chapel and before the modern planting of pine trees
    Lycabettus c. 1870-80, without St. George's Chapel and before the modern planting of pine trees
  • Saint George's chapel on top
    Saint George's chapel on top
  • Theatre of Lycabettus
    Theatre of Lycabettus
  • View of Athens
    View of Athens

See also

References
  1. Τοπωνύμια της Αττικής
  2. "The Iconic Lycabettus Theater in Athens to Reopen by Summer 2022". Greece Is. 2021-03-18. Retrieved 2022-10-11.
  • Boguslawski, Alexander (2000). "Lykavittos Hill." Retrieved August 30, 2005.


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