Parnitha, a short journey through time
Before Parnitha became a National Park and a place for recreation and hiking, it ran through the centuries as a place of worship, a fortified stronghold and a “hydroman” of Attica, while there are still many signs of the mountain’s long-term use and habitation, which is also witnessed in the wealth of of toponyms.
From the brief reference of the traveler Pausanias to Parnitha, we learn that Parnitha was dedicated to Zeus, whose worship was also common on the mountain tops. It is known from finds and texts of the ancient literature that in the cave of Panos, Panas, the patron saint of shepherds, was worshiped. In excavations, a large number of lamps were found, while at the entrance of the cave there are carved niches where tributes were placed.
In addition to its sacred character, Parnitha was also the border between Attica and Boeotia and the Athenian state had built dozens of forts and fortresses, several of which are preserved in a ruined state. One of the best preserved is the Fort of the Tribe, whose walls are preserved in some places to a great height.
Valuable for the basin were the spring waters of Mount Parnitha and since ancient times a large aqueduct network had been constructed which was expanded and perfected during the Roman Emperor Hadrian. The aqueduct had two main branches in the streams of Thodora and Giannoula (the first carried water to Eleusis and the second to Eleonas in Athens).
In the Byzantine years, some of the Monasteries were founded that are preserved until today renovated.
In the 14th century, the colonization of Attica began with Arvanites who initially settled in the northern mountainous zone (Kithaironas – Pastra – Parnitha) from where they later spread to the rest of Attica. Agricultural, livestock and logging activities, charcoal and resin collection were practiced until recently in several parts of the mountain and their remains are visible, as well as the ruins of old settlements, threshing floors, wells, etc.
* The texts of the hiking routes were compiled in cooperation with the E.P.O.S. Race, Information: tel. 6981005747
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