Searching for Attica on a map, we discover its triangular geophysical bas-relief stretching out to the western Aegean.  It’s the southernmost part of Mainland Greece surrounded by the Saronic, the Euboean and the Corinthian gulfs.  Athens is located at the southern tip, known as the Attica plain.  The Athenian plain alongside the other two, form the peninsula of Attica.

The Athens plain is the southernmost, the largest and the most beautiful of the other two.  It’s the most important as well, due to its exceptional position.  The plain is surrounded by low mountains and hills.  These mountains are Ymittos, Pendeli, Parnitha and Egaleo.  To the south, the plain is open and extends towards the sea, forming the many indented beaches of the Saronic Gulf.

Parnitha

Parnitha is the tallest of the mountains that surround Athens, standing 1,413 meters tall.  It’s covered with tall pine trees giving it an imposing and engaging atmosphere.
A winding road goes all the way to the top of the mountain where a shelter for hikers is located, whereas on the right summit of Parnitha there’s a casino.

Ymittos

Ymittos is the other mountain of Athens, 1,206 meters tall. The Ancients used to call it filled with herbs due to the countless varieties of aromatic herbs found there.  The renowned aromatic honey of Ymittos also originates there.

Pendeli

Pendeli is located northeast of Athens, 20 km from the city.  It’s 1,109 meters tall.
The mountain is known for the high quality marble it produces.  This marble was used to decorate the immortal monuments of Athens such as the Parthenon, the Caryatids, Thissio etc..

Egaleo

Another mountain of Athens is Egaleo.  It’s rocky, stands 450 meters tall and is located 4 km from the city.  It has a northeast to southwest orientation starting from mount Parnitha and extending towards the sea, right across Salamina island.

Egaleo is a mountain of historical significance, from where Xerxes (the Persian invader) observed the destruction of his fleet in Salamina bay by the Athenians.

Apart from these mountains, the Athens plain includes Tourkovounia (338 meters), Lycabettus hill (277 meters) and the sacred rock of the Acropolis (156 meters).  This series of hills separates the Athens plain into two parts.  The western part - which is the largest - and the eastern part.
Lycabettus is located right at the center of Athens.  Covered with trees, while at the summit there’s the little church of St. George (magnificent view of the city).  There are, however, more hills inside Athens.  Arditos (133 meters) just above the Panathenian Stadium, where during ancient times the judges of Iliea would take their oath. The hill of Philopappou (147 meters), the hill of the Nymphs (104 meters), where the city’s observatory is located, just above Thissio the hill of Pnyka (109) and many other smaller hills.  Among these, one can easily discern the hill which signified the glory not only of Athens but of the entire Greek world and became the heart and light of the ancient world.  The sacred rock of the Acropolis!  It is inside this particular area of the plain where Athens developed and evolved.  So much in fact that it is now connected to the city of Piraeus and the suburbs.

Weather

The topographic conditions we mentioned, cause the Athens weather to be mild and healthy, unlike what we would typically expect from a city surrounded by water.  As a matter of fact, Athens has the driest climate not only of Greece but Europe as well.
The clear light-blue sky, one of the city’s trademarks, is owed to the lack of high humidity levels. The transparency and glow of the Athenian sky and of the entire Attica plain is a phenomenon unique on this planet.

Each season has pronounced characteristics, making the succession of seasons quite noticeable.

Spring is relatively short, heralded by a somewhat chilly March, getting progressively warmer in April and May.  In other words, summer begins early and is hot.  July is the summer’s driest month, which continues up to and includes October.

photo: Prisma - Nikolaidis

The sunshine of Attica and the pleasant weather, offer the opportunity to the countless visitors of Athens to enjoy the city during any given season.  Apart from the city and the numerous things one can admire, there’s always the option of escaping to the outdoors, be it mountain or sea.  Distances are relatively short and the variation of the landscape will excite you (we suggest Parnitha, Lycabettus, Glyfada and Sounio.)

History

Concerning the etymology of the word Athens, there are many versions.  It is said that it comes from the verb thao which means breast-fed, because it was in this way that the ancient world was spiritually fed.  Others suggest that it comes from athos which for the ancients meant bloom (anthos) for its beautiful climate and fruitful earth and because it was the flower of Greek cities.  Thus, the word Athens can be explained as blooming or fruitful.  Most, however, suggest that the city took the name Athens, according to mythology, because of the (battle) competition between Athena and Poseidon.  These two gods quarreled as to who would be the patron of the city.  To solve their differences, they agreed that the patron would be the one who would offer the best gift to the city.  Poseidon struck the rock of the Acropolis with his trident and from this blow, a stream source of salt water was created.  The goddess Athena offered an olive tree to its inhabitants!  The other gods who were present as judges during the competition, gave the victory to Athena.  Thus, the city was named Athens.  The Athenians, to appease Poseidon, dedicated an imposing temple to him at the southeastern edge of Attica known as Sounio.

Attica is also bound to two more ancient gods.  To Dionysus the god of vegetation, wine and drunkenness.  The gift of this god to his loved city Athens was the vineyard.  In his honor they celebrated the Dionysian rites in Attica in wild revelry.  Dances, abundant wine, processions.  From the plays which were held during the ceremonies, tragedy and comedy were born.  Also, the goddess Demetra and her daughter Persephone who was abducted by Hades to become his wife.  During the wanderings of the goddess to find her daughter she was given hospitality at the house of Keleous, King of Elefsina.  In order to thank him, she taught the inhabitants of Elefsina the farming of the land and the Elefsinian mysteries.