What is parnassus in ancient greece. Parnassus (Mountain in Greece). Why is the mountain called Parnassus

Although the local nature cannot be called untouched, since there is a ski station above Arakhova and all related facilities. The best hiking route is from Delphi to the Korikian cave (from April to November, but not in the middle of summer, you can go not at dawn) and the more difficult climb to the top of Lacoura (only from May to October).

If you intend to explore the mountain in more detail, you should purchase a map from Road Editions No. 42 called Parnassus or Anavasi map No. 1, which is also called Parnassus, this investment will pay off, although neither map is free from errors. Attached to the Road map is a brochure describing the route to the Korikian cave.

Delphi to Korikian Cave (Greece)

The company will have to devote a whole day - it will take four hours to climb to the cave, it will take a little less time to descend to Delphi - and you will also need to bring more food supplies with you. To get to the trail - to the starting point of the route - you (if you are moving from the side) will first need to find the street that goes up through the entire village of Delphi - officially Apollonos. Climbing on its right side to the highest point - near the church, turn right, onto the road leading back to the house-museum (every day except Tuesday and Wednesday 8: 30-15: 00), in which the poet Angelos Sikelianos once lived - look at at home his bust and the grave of his first wife - Eva Pamer.

The exposition in the museum is mainly dedicated to the revived Delphic Festival - this festival was organized by the couple in 1927-1930. From the museum, continue up the winding gravel road until you reach the highest point of the fence surrounding the ruins of the sanctuary. The path will rest against the gate, but you do not need to go inside the fence - it is better to turn onto the path on your left hand: at the beginning it is indicated by black and yellow rectangles on a white background. The trail continues behind a small summit, and it is clearly visible, but the marks change to black-yellow metal rhombuses: this is a section of the European long-range trail No. E-4.

At first, the very steep path soon becomes more even on a grassy hillock above the stadium, after which it follows a ridge and reaches a row of burnt cypress trees. Soon you will reach the ancient cobblestone road to the fenced-in area - Kaki-Skala, which zigzags up the slope above a wide arch. The cobblestones end at two concrete guarded structures that supply Delphi with water, which are an hour's walk above the village, at the top of the Fedriades cliff. In ancient times, those accused of blasphemy were thrown from one of several nearby rocks, hence the name Kaki-Skala - the staircase of the unfortunate.

Markers of trail No. E-4 are also visible in the valley ahead, where the route stretches along a gravel road to the northeast, but you do not go there, but follow the metal sign to the cave, take to the right at the fork near the Kroki spring and gutters with water to the complex of summer houses remained on your right. This road, paved in places, passes through picnic spots and the chapel of St. Paraskeva in 15 minutes. After 40 minutes of descent from the chapel, you will come to another sign to the cave, when you leave the fir forests (2 hours 40 minutes from Delphi) and open views to the east and ahead, to the peak of Yerondovrachos (2367 meters) and the Parnassus massif.

• Korikian cave in Greece

After 15 minutes you will come to the second chapel of the Holy Trinity on the left, where there is a spring and a picnic area. To the left rises a steep mountain, on the left slope of which is the Korikian cave. Ignore the sign (in Greek only) behind the chapel on the old bad road, but walk a few more minutes to the white bilingual sign to the new road, marked with orange spots and red triangular signs. After a 40-minute climb, you will reach another muddy road, turn left and walk for about 5 minutes, the road ends just below the well-visible entrance to the cave at an altitude of 1370 meters.

The Korikian cave has been known since ancient times, in which it was dedicated to Pan and the nymphs - these deities dominated Delphi during the winter months. In November, ceremonies were performed in the cave, nymphs were portrayed by women who, with torches in their hands, made a long ascent from Delphi along Kaki-Skala. It is gloomy in the cave itself, but if you shine a flashlight and look closely, you can see ancient inscriptions at the entrance. Without a powerful artificial light source, visibility is poor - no more than 100 meters ahead. Near the entrance there is a stone with a round depression - this is probably the altar on which libations were performed.

Summit Lacoura in Greece

Lakura is the highest and most beautiful peak of the Parnassian massif (2457 meters). You can start climbing either from the side of Delphi /, or from the southeastern foot of the mountain. The second option is better: the starting point is Titorea, but to get out on the trail, you need to take a bus or train, and then take a taxi - and you probably have to spend the night on the mountain. If you want to look at Parnassus, but not really suffer, then it’s probably easier to start from the side of Delphi, building a route as a continuation of the excursion to the Korikian cave: spend the night after the cave in the Kalivya farm on the Livadi plateau - to the farm about 45 minutes from the cave. There are plenty of ski chalet hotels and taverns on the farm, although many of these establishments are closed in summer.

More energetic people can try to jump over the entire massif in a day, starting a long hike at dawn to Zemeno, between the Arachova and the Oedipus three ways, and descending to Ano-Titorea - or vice versa. After Zemeno, where there are a couple of hotels and restaurants that are quite affordable for any wallet, the trail, initially designated as part of the local trail 22, rises to a height of 1200 meters to Baitanorahi, and then passes the pass known as Sideroporta and, after it, flows into the mountain. coming from Titorea. It will be wiser, however, to grab food for the day, water - two liters per person, and at least the most necessary for spending the night in nature: bad weather does not warn about its arrival, there are a lot of springs, but they are scattered over a vast area and rarely come across on the way , and the camp sites for climbers at the summit are either closed or very poor.

• To Ljakure - from Titorea through the Velitsa ravine (Greece)

The main route through the virgin Parnassian nature is not complete without train or bus - otherwise you will not get to Kato Titorea. Then you will have to go up to the village 6 kilometers higher, it is called Titorea and the easiest way to get up is by taxi. Expect more than six hours, which will take away the ascent with a backpack on your shoulders, and the return journey will take about 4.5 hours. The village itself is of indescribable beauty: stone houses dotted with patches of an antique wall (including a carefully built tower), and in the church of St. John the Theologian, magnificent ancient Christian mosaics under glass have been preserved. The picturesque platija has many taverns, in Tithorea you can rent a room.

From the main square of Titorea, take a course to the north-west and, passing the church with several graves next to it, go through another, smaller, Andrutsu square (with a bust of the Greek revolutionary, after whom it is named - this figure was hiding nearby). Continuing along a stone-paved path, past the last village houses, you come out to a red-on-white rhombus on the signpost, behind which a semicircular plate with a cobblestone, a fountain and a cement proskinitario, and a huge Velica ravine opens up beyond the square.

The further route for the most part passes through the forest, but water will appear only when you have passed more than half the way to the source of Tsares. Just after the route intersects with the route to Baitonorahi from Zemeno, shortly after the base at Ljakura peak. In the last section of the ascent, you can easily climb to the top in about twenty minutes, moving more or less along the edge of the ridge. If the day is clear, then you, especially after the rain, will see in the north, the Aegean Sea in the east, and the Ionian Sea in the west, and filling the entire south.

Parnassus (Delphi, Greece) - exact location, interesting places, inhabitants, routes.

• Last Minute Tours to Greece

In the center of Greece, 180 km north-west of Athens, the mountain ranges of the legendary Parnassus are spread. Its highest peaks rise near the famous Delphi. From here you can see impressive panoramas of spruce forests with alpine meadows, plain olive groves with villages, picturesque landscapes of gorges and mountains covered with snow caps. In 1938, a national park was established here with an area of \u200b\u200balmost 35 square meters. km. Many people come to the unique natural reserve of Parnassus and the architectural monuments of ancient Greek cities, like millennia ago. In winter, sports lovers enjoy skiing on the ski slopes of the resort, located 30 km from the village of Arachova.

Historical background and mythology

In ancient Greece, Parnassus was revered as a sacred mountain. According to Greek mythology, the god Apollo and his muses lived here. In its foothills, the iconic temple of Apollo was built and the city of Delphi was founded, which became the center of common Greek civilization.

People from all over Greece came here to hear the predictions of the Delphic oracles before making an important decision.

Parnassus is known for its Kastal spring, where, according to legend, the muses bathed. Its waters possessed healing power, and after a sip of water and bathing in the Kastalsky spring, a person acquired a poetic gift and inspiration.

After the change of eras, military and natural disasters, the greatest temples of the Hellenic period were destroyed and consigned to oblivion. Only at the end of the 19th century did archaeologists of the French Academy rediscover the remains of a once flourishing civilization to the world. Now they, by decision of UNESCO, are included in the World Heritage of Culture.

What to see

Now the ruins of ancient Delphi are an archaeological park, created after excavations. Its most significant monument, the Temple of Apollo, occupied the central part of the complex. According to legend, in the center of the temple was the "navel of the Earth" or omphalus. Only a few Doric columns have survived from the sanctuary of Apollo.

The omphalus is now kept in the Archaeological Museum.

The ancient pilgrims made their first stop before the entrance to the sanctuary of Apollo at the sacred Kastal spring. In its waters ritual ablution of the servants of the temple, the prophesying pythias and priests took place. All pilgrims also had to bathe in the source for spiritual cleansing.)

Today, next to the modern highway, you can see the building built in the 6th century BC. e. a bathhouse called Lower Kastalia. The second bath, Kastalia Skalnaya, is carved into the rock 50 m higher and closer to the source.

Other objects of the park are no less interesting: the Delphic amphitheter, the tholos of Athena Pronoi, the treasury of Athens, etc.

Archaeological Museum in Delphi

The museum contains one of the richest collections in Greece. Here are exhibits found during excavations. For a better idea of \u200b\u200bwhat the temple complex of Apollo looked like in ancient times, its reconstruction is presented.

Ski resort Parnas

The ski resort "Parnassus" with modern lifts and high capacity (13,600 people per hour) is very popular with the residents of Athens and tourists from all over the world. Trails of varying difficulty and length are suitable for skiers of all levels. The season is open from December to April.

Practical information

Regular buses run from Athens to Delphi or can be reached by taxi. The trip will take about 3 hours.

You can stay overnight in the resort village of Arachova or in Delphi.

From Delphi, the archaeological site can be reached on foot in about 15 minutes.

What is Parnassus? For many years (and even centuries) this word has been synonymous with art and cultural figures. In ancient times, this was the name of the mountain, from which, in fact, everything began. Legendary and more prosaic details about her, we will present to you.

What is Parnassus?

The name Parnassus comes from pre-Greek times and, most likely, refers to the Hittite-Luwian languages. It is assumed that their word parnassas comes from the word "house" or "temple" and is interpreted as "the mountain where God dwells."

However, there is another version, according to which the name is the Paleo-Balkan word "locust" - an epithet denoting Apollo. It was with this god, the patron saint of arts, that the ancient Greeks associated the mountain. As a result, the term was transferred to the cultural figures themselves.

In the 19th century, the literary movement of the Parnassian School arose in France. It included Théophile Gaultier, Lecomte de Lisle, Georges Lecomte, Sully-Prudhomme. Their work was close to Verlaine, Baudelaire, Rimbaud, and in Russia their poems were translated by Bryusov, Voloshin, Bunin, Zhukovsky, etc.

Mountain in Greece

Parnassus is one of the largest mountain ranges in mainland Greece and belongs to the large Pindus massif. It is located in the central part of the country, and stretches from the top of Eta to the Gulf of Corinth. Geographically it belongs to the Noma (prefecture) Phocis.

On the slopes of the mountain there is the modern city of Delphi, as well as the ruins of the ancient village of the same name. Nearby are the villages of Itea and Arachova. The top of Mount Parnassus is forked. The highest peak, Liakura, is 2547 meters high, the second peak, Tiporea, reaches 2395 meters.

The foothills and slopes of the mountain are covered with Mediterranean vegetation, which turns into coniferous forests and alpine meadows with height. Like most other massifs, this one is composed of limestone rocks and has bauxite deposits. Due to the peculiarities of the climate and rather high altitude, the rocky peaks are steadily covered with snow from December to April. In winter, the Parnas ski center opens here.

Mountain myths

What is Parnassus? Ancient Greek shrine, the shrine of Dionysus, Themis and Gaia, the abode of Apollo and the nine muses. There are many myths associated with this mountain. Hellenic pilgrims visited her to pray to the gods and learn about the future, and ritual festivals were held near the Korikian cave.

According to legend, Zeus, the head of the Olympian gods, decided to send a flood on sinful people. As in the biblical story, not everyone died. Deucalion and his wife managed to escape. On the advice of his father, he built an ark. On the ninth day of sailing, the ship stopped at Mount Parnassus. Deucalion brought a sacrifice to Zeus, and he allowed the revival of the human race.

Another story is connected with Apollo - the god of arts and healing, the patron saint of muses. He killed the evil serpent Python, who wrapped nine rings around Parnassus and did not give its inhabitants peace of mind. Apollo fired about a hundred arrows at him, after which Gaia sent him into exile for 8 years. In honor of the god, an oracle was founded in Delphi, where a priestess or pythia predicted the future.

The mountain and its surroundings

To see with your own eyes what Parnassus is, you can go along one of the hiking trails. They start from Delphi and Arachova or from the southeastern slopes of the mountain. Marked trails lead to the Korikian Cave or Andron's Korikion dedicated to Pan. It is located at an altitude of 1370 meters, and you need to walk to it about 4 hours.

Continuing the path, you can reach the top of Liacura. For the night, tourists often stop at the small Kalivya farm, which is a forty-minute walk from the cave. The paths upward also lead from the side of the village of Titorei, located on the other side of the mountain. From the top, dazzling landscapes open up; in good weather, the Peloponnese and Mount Olympus are perfectly visible.

A significant part of the massif is the Parnassus National Park. Kefalonian spruces grow here, foxes, wild boars, wolves, badgers, vultures and golden eagles are found. On one of the mountain slopes is the village of Arachova with interesting Greek architecture. The locals are famous for making handmade carpets.

Below, at the foot of the mountain, is the village of Itea. It is located on the very shore of the bay, eight kilometers from Delphi. In the past, it was a prosperous commercial port, now it is a typical tourist town. Nearby are extensive olive groves, which guests of Itea love to visit.

Delphi

The ancient city of Delphi, located on a sacred mountain in Greece, was considered not only the main place of divination, but also the "Navel of the Earth", which symbolized the omphalus stone. The city was considered a common Greek sanctuary, and the local oracle had an impact on political and religious life.

The ruins of Delphi are located at an altitude of 700 meters, nine kilometers from the Gulf of Corinth. The remains of the temple of Apollo and Athena, an amphitheater, a gymnasium and a stadium are still preserved here. Around the 6th century BC, the city hosted the Pythian Games, the second major event after the Olympic Games.

Modern Delphi is located near archaeological sites. It is a very small town that can be easily explored on foot. Of course, from a tourist point of view, it is of little interest, people stop there to see the old village and the mountain itself.

There are two large ski centers on the slopes of Mount Parnassus. Parnas Ski Center consists of two divisions, Kellaria and Fterolakka, which together constitute the largest ski resort in Greece. Another small ski center is called Gerontovrahos and is located near Kellaria.

Sports and outdoor activities in Parnassus are the main motive among the tourists who come here. Both ski resorts are still expanding and improving, in 1993 the first high-speed lift in Greece was installed here.

Today the ski centers operate with 14 lifts, a 4-seat cable car, a 4-seat high-speed chair lift, the maximum capacity of all lifts is about 5000 people per hour. Parnas Ski Center boasts 25 ski slopes and about 12 ski slopes, with a total length of 30 km (19 miles). The longest ski run is 4 km (approximately 2 miles).

The transport feature of Parnassus is the absence of any transport at the resort, except for ski buses. All vacationers move here with the help of specialized buses or on their own.

Parnassus resort is small and is a huge ski base. You can travel between the nearest cities and resorts by buses that run on various most popular routes. Independent tourists choose a car as a means of transportation, which can be rented in Athens.

Also, motorcycles and bicycles often act as a vehicle here, but only in the summer. In winter, you can move between the resorts by car, bus or taxi.

Apollo - the ancient Greek god of light (his nickname is Phoebus), personifies the Sun. Apollo was the patron saint of the muses, for this he was called Musaget. He predicted the future and even dealt with healing people. Apollo is one of the most revered gods.
On Mount Parnassus, which is called the mountain of the god Apollo, he lives in the role of the god of music and poetry. Apollo is surrounded by nine forever young muses, who are the goddesses of inspiration and creativity; they are all daughters of Zeus: Thalia, Cleo, Melpomene, Polyhymnia, Terpsichore, Euterpe, Erato, Urania and Calliope. Therefore, the mountain has a different name - Mount Muses. It is very common to see springs or fountains in works of art depicting muses. The reason for this is the fact that the muses lived on the Kastalsky key. The water from this spring gave them inspiration.
Mount Parnassus is located in Greece in the northern part of the Gulf of Corinth. In fact, Parnassus is not just one mountain, it is a real mountain range, which is one of the parts of the Pindu mountain range. The highest point of this mountain range is Mount Liakura (Wolf Mountain), which rises almost 2.5 kilometers above sea level.
At the foot of Parnassus is the small town of Delphi. In the region of Delphi, near Mount Parnassus, the Pythian Games were once held, which were invented and organized by Apollo himself.
According to legend, there was a stone on Parnassus, at which two eagles met, released in different directions by Zeus. This stone was called Omphal (from ancient Greek - the Navel of the Earth), it was kept in the temple of Apollo (the Temple of Apollo was built later than this stone appeared). Due to the existence of this stone, Parnassus is considered the concentration of the earth. If you believe another legend, then on Mount Parnassus, Deucalion (son of Prometheus) and Pyrrha (daughter of Pandora), who were husband and wife, escaped from the flood. This happened when Zeus decided to eradicate the corrupted human race.
At the top of Parnassus there was a stalactite cave, which the ancient Greeks gave the name Korikian cave. Bacchic holidays were held near it. At the foot of the mountain, between two rocks, the Kastalsky spring springs from a crevice; in ancient times it was a place of pilgrimage.
A huge number of myths, legends, legends and other wonderful things are associated with Mount Parnassus. For example, the nymph Daphne, with whom Apollo was unrequitedly in love, turned into a laurel tree near the mountain, Apollo himself at the foot of the mountain defeated the dragon Python. There was also a crevice on the mountain, from which steam rose. Everyone who inhaled it had the gift of clairvoyance. Another assumption is that Pegasus, a winged horse, lived on Parnassus. In addition to all this, other little-known and insignificant facts from Greek mythology are associated with Parnassus.
Now most of the territory located next to Mount Parnassus is captured by the Parnassian National Park. This park is the first national park in Europe; it appeared in 1938. The peaks of Parnassus are covered with snow, and the rest of the mountains turn green thanks to the Californian spruces and other plants growing here. Various animals live on the mountain, including foxes, wild boars, badgers and even wolves.
With the arrival of spring, according to one of the legends, Apollo, along with his nymphs-muses, goes to Parnassus. There, on the mountain, the muses sing, and Apollo plays along with them on the golden lyre. At these moments even nature falls silent to listen to this delightful ensemble; Zeus becomes uncomplaining, and the god Ares forgets about his bloody wars. At this time, peace and absolute tranquility reign on Olympus and Parnassus.