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Lykavittos

(Redirected from Mt. Lykabettos)

Lykavittos (Greek: Λυκάβηττος) is a Cretaceous limestone hill in Athens, Greece. Also called Lycabettos or Lykabettos, the hill is the highest point in the city, with an altitude of 277 m. It is accessed wiyh only one road to the west and to Benakis Street and another one-way street. The hill is surrounded by pine forests and further by the urban area of Athens, Benakis Street, Alexandras Avenue (Leoforos Alexandras) to the north, the urban core slightly west with Vasileias Sofias Avenue and another to the south.

The hill is involved in various legends. One, involving a story of how it was inhabited by wolves, may be where the hill derived its name, which means "hill of the wolves". Another legend suggests that the hill was created when Athena dropped a mountain that she had been carrying from Pallene to use for the construction of the Acropolis, apparently as the result of being startled by news from a crow.

At the top of the hill is the 19th century Byzantine chapel of St. George, and a theater which hosts concerts in summer. A cable car operates from Kolonaki to take visitors up this popular tourist destination.



07-14-2008 23:18:10
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