Mount Parnassus, Sacred mountain in Phthiotis Regional Unit, Greece
Mount Parnassus rises to 2457 meters above sea level and shows limestone formations with several peaks visible from the ancient city of Delphi. The range stretches across central Greece and forms a natural barrier between the Corinthian and Malian gulfs.
The summit offered shelter during conflicts, with citizens following wolves to higher ground during floods and founding the settlement of Lykoreia. Later centuries brought monasteries and hermitages to the slopes, which remain to this day.
Ancient Greeks saw this summit as home to Apollo and the nine Muses, placing it at the center of poetry and artistic creation. The name itself connects to divine oracles and the Muses who were believed to inspire poets and artists.
Visitors reach the ski center through multiple lifts during winter, while summer months offer extensive hiking trails across the terrain. Weather can change quickly, so bring appropriate clothing and enough water.
The summit contains substantial bauxite deposits, which local factories in the surrounding region process into aluminum through industrial operations. The back side shows traces of this mining activity from the 20th century.
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