Athens Sights - Mount Lykavittos Page 2

On a clear day, the view from the summit encompasses Athens, the surrounding mountains (from east to west: Hymettos, Pentelicon, Parnes and the much lower Aegaleon), the harbor town of Piraeus, the Saronic gulf with the islands of Salamis and Aegina. Adjacent to the Church of St. George is a 4 star restaurant with the best view in town.

Clearly visible ancient landmarks within the city are the Acropolis, the Agora, the Kerameikos, the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Panathenaic Stadium.

Those who own a Historical Map of Athens will also be able to trace the line of the ancient city wall and to get a good idea of the extent of the ancient city.

Modern landmarks include Syntagma square with the Parliament building, the National Garden and the round Zappeion Hall.

The name Lykavittos is not Greek so the hill must, therefore, have received its name before the arrival of Greek-speaking people around 2200-2000 BC.

In myth, Lykavittos is thought to have been a rock that was accidentally dropped by the goddess Athena, when she was kindly helping the Athenians to build the Acropolis.

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