The name comes from the Greek word "Lykos" which means wolf, which has led many to believe that the hill was once inhabited by wolves (thankfully we didn't see any when we were there!). Another legend states that the hill appeared when Athena accidentally dropped a large rock she was going to use for the construction of the Acropolis. There is not a lot of information concerning the origins of the hill and most of what is known comes from local legends.
We accessed the hill through the Kolonaki neighborhood (where ASCSA is located) off of Ploutarchou Street and traveled to the top on foot. You can also take a cab or tram to the top. It is definitely a climb to the top of the hill. There are pathways and "stairs" to make the climb easier, but the ground is largely loose stones when can be slippery. There are several places to stop along the way with benches if you need to stop and rest. The base of the hill is covered very interesting pine trees and other vegetation, some of which I was surprised to see, such as cacti.
At the top of the hill is a whitewashed chapel named Agios Georgios (St. George). The exact date of its construction is unknown. The bell tower was a gift from Queen Olga, who had found the church in ruins and restored it. The inside of the chapel is decorated in the traditional Greek Orthodox style with lots of murals depicting saints and other religions images. There is also a restaurant and bar.The views from the top offer you a 360 degree view of the city of Athens and are truly spectacular. On a clear day you can see all the way to the Aegean Sea and the islands located off the cost. You can see the Parthenon and other sites, such as Lykavittos Theatre, which is an outdoor theater that seats 4,000 people and is used for productions and concerts. While it can be quite a trek to the top, the view is well worth it.
No comments:
Post a Comment