Editing Parnitha

{{Short description|A mountain range in Attica, Greece, north of Athens.}}
{{More citations needed|date=June 2008}}
{{Infobox mountain|
| name = Parnitha
| other_name = ''Πάρνηθα''
| photo = Parnitha some snow 3 Feby 2010.jpg
| photo_caption = Parnitha as seen from [[Nea Filadelfeia]], [[Athens]]
| elevation_m = 1413
| elevation_ref = <ref>https://worldribus.org/balkan-peninsula/</ref>
| prominence_m = 1127
| listing = Ribu, [[National park]]
| location = north of [[Athens]], [[Greece]]
| range = Parnitha
| coordinates = {{coord|38.1734|23.7174|type:mountain_region:GR|display=inline,title}}
| topo = 
| type = 
| easiest_route = climb
}}
Mount '''Parnitha''' ({{langx|el|Πάρνηθα}}, {{IPA|el|ˈparniθa|pron}}, [[Katharevousa]] and {{langx|grc|Πάρνης}} ''Parnis''/''Parnes''; sometimes '''Parnetha''') is a lightly forested [[mountain]] range north of [[Athens]], the highest on the peninsula of [[Attica]], with an elevation of 1,413 m, and a summit known as Karavola (Καραβόλα). Much of the mountain is designated a [[National parks in Greece|national park]], and is a protected habitat for [[wildfowl]], first created in 1961. The summit is located 18&nbsp;km north of [[Acharnes]] and about 30&nbsp;km north of  the Athens city center. The mountain covers approximately 250&nbsp;km² of land. Other peaks include Mavrovouni (Μαυροβούνι), Ornio (1,350 m), Area (1,160 m), Avgo or Avgho (1,150 m), and Xerovouni (Ξεροβούνι, meaning "dry mountain": 1,120 m). It also has two shelters [[Mpafi]] and Flampouri.<ref name="ParnithaNP">[http://www.parnitha-np.gr/welcome.htm Parnitha National park], official site.</ref> The name of the mountain dates back to [[Ancient Greece|ancient times]], when it was under the ancient [[deme]]s of [[Acharnae]] and [[Decelea]].

== Geography ==
[[File:Parnitha satellite map-blank.jpg|thumb|left|A satellite view of Parnitha along with most of Attica. The boundary of the mount proper is marked in light blue while its foothills are visible as the green areas immediately adjacent to the line.]]

Towns surrounding the mountain include [[Aspropyrgos]], [[Fyli]], Acharnes, [[Varymbombi]], [[Thrakomakedones]], [[Dekeleia]], [[Avlonas, Attica|Avlona]] and [[Agios Stefanos, Attica|Agios Stefanos]] as well as the settlement of [[Agios Merkourios]]. The highway [[Greek National Road 1|GR-1]] ([[European route E75|E75]]) surrounds the northern and eastern part of the mountain along with the [[Cephissus (Athenian plain)|Cephissus]] river, while the [[Attiki Odos]] motorway (GR-6) runs to its south. The mountain offers panoramic views of the mountains northeast of Parnitha, [[Penteli]] to the east, the [[Hymettus]] to the southeast, the [[Aigaleo (mountain)|Aigaleo]] to the south and another to the west; from its summit, one can also see the [[Thriasian Plain]], the [[Saronic Gulf]] including the islands of [[Salamis Island|Salamina]], [[Aigina]] and the [[North Euboean Gulf|North]], the [[South Euboean Gulf]]s and island of [[Euboea]], and most of central and northern Greater Athens. The view during clear days can extend to northern [[Boeotia]] and the [[Peloponnese]].

===Climate===
Parnitha mountain has a [[Warm-summer mediterranean climate|warm-summer Mediterranean climate]] (''Csb'') with frequent snowfalls in winter and pleasant temperatures in summer. The mountain is significantly wetter than areas of east and southern Attica.
The mountain was also affected by several major blizzards, including two in 2005 and 2006, stranding cars and closing roads, as well as the cable car.

{{Weather box
|width = auto
|location= Parnitha (1230m asl)
|metric first=yes
|single line=yes
|Jan high C=3.7
|Feb high C=5.4
|Mar high C=7.1
|Apr high C=11.8
|May high C=16.9
|Jun high C=20.5
|Jul high C=22.9
|Aug high C=22.7
|Sep high C=19.5
|Oct high C=14.2
|Nov high C=10.0
|Dec high C=6.0

|Jan mean C=1.6
|Feb mean C=3.2
|Mar mean C=4.5
|Apr mean C=8.8
|May mean C=13.8
|Jun mean C=17.5
|Jul mean C=19.8
|Aug mean C=19.7
|Sep mean C=16.5
|Oct mean C=11.7
|Nov mean C=7.9
|Dec mean C=3.9

|Jan low C= -0.4
|Feb low C= 0.9
|Mar low C= 1.9
|Apr low C= 5.8
|May low C=10.6
|Jun low C=14.4
|Jul low C=16.7
|Aug low C=16.7
|Sep low C=13.6
|Oct low C= 9.1
|Nov low C= 5.7
|Dec low C= 1.7

|rain colour = green
|Jan rain mm=74.9
|Feb rain mm=70.4
|Mar rain mm=72.8
|Apr rain mm=46.5
|May rain mm=45.7
|Jun rain mm=41.5
|Jul rain mm=11.8
|Aug rain mm=8.2
|Sep rain mm=46.5
|Oct rain mm=73.0
|Nov rain mm=96.4
|Dec rain mm=132.4
|source 1 = [[National Observatory of Athens]] Monthly Bulletins (Dec 2009-Apr 2023)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.meteo.gr/Monthly_Bulletins.cfm|title=Monthly Bulletins|website=www.meteo.gr}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://penteli.meteo.gr/stations/parnitha/ | title=Latest Conditions in Parnitha Mountain, Athens }}</ref>

}}

==Ecology==
Forests of [[Aleppo Pine]] cover all slopes beneath 1,000 m altitude, and are often threatened by forest fires, such as happened in 2005, 2007, 2021 and 2023. Above 1,000 m it is covered principally in [[Greek Fir]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Βλάστηση|url=http://www.parnitha-np.gr/index_vlastisi.htm|publisher=parnitha-np.gr|access-date=12 May 2015}}</ref> grasses and [[shrub]]bery, and beneath 300 m mainly farmlands and suburban housing to the east. About 1,000 species of plants can be found on the mountain, including [[crocus]] and [[tulips]], and the mountain also provides a native habitat to its [[red deer]] (''Cervus elaphus''), which were known in [[Ancient Greece|ancient times]]. After the traumatic fire in 2007 (''see below''), they are even scarcer. Several large mines lie to the northwest, and the ore from them was shipped to a nearby factory in industrial areas. Further forest fires occurred in the summers of 2021 and 2023 leaving only northern parts of the mountain forest unburned.

==Historical monuments and places of interest==
[[File:Parnitha Moni Kleiston.jpg|250px|left|thumbnail|Monastery of Kleiston in Parnitha]]
Parnitha has several places of archaeological interest. In antiquity, several fortresses had been built on the mountain, for the defense of the peninsula of [[Attica]] and more specifically [[Athens|Classical Athens]] against the [[Boeotians]] and others enemies from the north. Today some fortresses are kept in good condition such as the [[Phyle (Attica)|Phyle]] fortress, at a height of 687 meters in the west of Parnitha.<ref>{{cite web|title=Αρχαία Μνημεία|url=http://www.parnitha-np.gr/arxaiologika.htm|publisher=parnitha-np.gr|access-date=12 May 2015}}</ref> Other notable fortresses are the [[Panakton]], in the area of [[Dervenochoria]] and [[Eleutherae]] fortress near Mount [[Cithaeron]]. [[Dekeleia]] was also an important fortress on the site of modern-day former royal palace in [[Tatoi]], and the fort of Limiko was situated deep inside the mountain, just north of its peak. 

A notable monument of later periods is the [[Monastery of Kleiston]]. It is a [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine]] monastery dated from 13th century. It is mentioned by [[Pope Innocent IV]] in 1209 with the name Monastery of Kyras.<ref>{{cite web|title=Μονή Κλειστών Χασία|url=http://www.eie.gr/byzantineattica/view.asp?cgpk=490&xsl=detail&obpk=329&lg=el|publisher=eie.gr|access-date=12 May 2015}}</ref> Southeast of Parnitha, in a dense forest, is [[Tatoi Palace]]. It was the palace of the Greek royal family and it was built in 19th century. Today it is abandoned.
[[File:Limni mpeletsi parnitha.JPG|250px|thumbnail|Beletsi Lake on the east slopes of Parnitha]]

Parnitha has also natural monuments. The cave of [[Pan (god)|Panas]] is on the west slopes of the mountain at a height of 750 meters.<ref>{{cite web|title=Το σπήλαιο του Πανός (Νυμφαίο)|url=http://archive.in.gr/Reviews/placeholder.asp?lngReviewID=1671&lngChapterID=33934&lngItemID=33993|publisher=archive.in.gr|access-date=12 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518085706/http://archive.in.gr/Reviews/placeholder.asp?lngReviewID=1671&lngChapterID=33934&lngItemID=33993|archive-date=18 May 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> It was a worship site in antiquity. Near the cave there is the steep gorge of Gouras and the gorge of Keladonas river. A beautiful site of the mountain is [[Beletsi Lake]], on the east slopes of the mountain, near [[Afidnes]], and it is important place for migratory birds.<ref>{{cite web|title=Beletsi, the beautiful accidental lake of Mt. Parnitha|url=http://en.protothema.gr/beletsi-the-beautiful-accidental-lake-of-mt-parnitha-video/|publisher=protothema.gr|access-date=12 May 2015}}</ref> In general, the national park is known as the "lungs of Athens".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/27/europe/greece-wildfire-athens-intl-climate-cmd/index.html |publisher=CNN |title=A losing battle to save the lungs of Athens as wildfires grip Greece |author=Eleni Giokos |date=August 27, 2023}}</ref>

==Modern facilities==
A casino, the [[Regency Casino Mont Parnes]], is located near the top of the mountain and is served by a [[Parnitha Funitel|suspended cable car]].<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.tovima.gr/2008/11/25/archive/i-anastasi-toy-mon-parnes/|language= Greek |title=  Η ανάσταση του Μον Παρνές|trans-title=The Resurrection of Mont Parnes |author=Maria Thermou|date=November 25, 2008 |website= [[To Vima]]|access-date= December 22, 2024}}</ref> Two shelters are also on Parnitha, the most known of which is [[Mpafi]]. A series of trails are found around the mountain as well as forest roads, and also on the mountain is Athens' second transmitter, broadcasting radio and television since the mid-1950s, across the range of [[Television in Greece|television]] channels from [[Ellinikí Radiofonía Tileórasi|ERT]], [[ANT1]], [[Mega Channel|Mega]], [[Alter Channel|Alter]] and more, to satellite, including [[Super Sport (Greece)|Super Sport]], [[Seven X]] and [[Filmnet]], and a multitude of [[List of radio stations in Greece|radio]] including [[ERA Radio]], [[Klik FM]], [[ANT1 Radio]], [[Ciao FM]], [[Rhythmos]], [[Super Sport FM]], [[Top FM]] and others. The supporting road connection was paved in the mid-20th century.

== 2007 wildfire ==
{{See also|2007 Greek forest fires}}
[[File:Parnitha Fire.jpg|thumb|200px|View of the fire from the East]]
[[File:Canadair Parnitha 3.jpg|thumb|200px|Parnitha during 2007 wildfire]]
[[File:Parnitha02.JPG|thumb|200px|A very small part of the burned area]]

Parnitha suffered extensive damage from a [[wildfire]] on Thursday, 28 June 2007 around the morning and noon hours, continuing for several days and burning approximately 56&nbsp;km² of land; one of the worst recorded wildfires in the prefecture after that of [[Penteli]]. The magnitude of the devastation was unforeseen. A smaller fire had, however, taken place in the 1960s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6252676.stm|title=Greek forest fire close to Athens|access-date=2007-06-29|work=[[BBC]] | date=June 29, 2007}}</ref>

The fire consumed dozens of acres of forest across two prefectures. Firefighters, helicopters, and planes were brought into action across the mountain area and its edges fighting the enormous blaze, which took days to contain. It spread rapidly with the help of intense winds, and intensified into the northwestern edges of [[Attica|Greater Athens]], including both [[Ano Liosia]] and towns and villages such as [[Fyli, Greece|Fyli]], near [[Thrakomakedones]], [[Pyli, Greece|Pyli]] and both Skoura and [[Schimatari]] north of the mountain. From Athens, inhabitants could see the mountainside burning throughout the night. In Schimatari in Boeotia, it ruined several acres of forest and businesses. The fire claimed 80% of the rare Greek Fir and Aleppo Pine forest, 150 animals of the red deer population (an endangered species), birds, and other rare animals. The remains of the green firs and pines are scattered around its edges. The smoke from the massive destruction formed a line that traveled east over Attica, southern [[Euboea]], [[Chios]], to the edge of [[Turkey]], approximately 350&nbsp;km away.

On June 30, the fire was mostly contained and warnings of new fires were reduced, as only a few fires were slowly burning sporadically in separate parts of the mountain. The main blaze was completely put out on July 1. At the edges of the burnt parts, several fires slowly continued to burn in sections after June 30, with a slow expansion.

Scientists estimate {{Citation needed|date=June 2008}} that the area's recovery time may be as long as a century. They predict the effect of the loss will only begin to be felt in the coming years; the air may become a little stale and the already known problems of air pollution and smog in Athens may reappear and intensify. Temperatures could also rise and flooding may become a problem for several years. The Ministry of Environment is currently considering a conclusive reforestation program, while many citizens marched on the streets of Athens to express their disapproval of the handling of the situation. More recently, reforestation has been underway, and the government will be receiving tens of thousands of trees to be planted around the mountains, most of them from outside the country, albeit at a small scale thus far.

Investigations are still underway as to the fire's cause. One scenario suggests a transformer belonging to a major power line exploded due to overuse and overheating by the 47C heatwave, some days before the fire. Another holds that this was one of the many arson attacks that have claimed forested land in Greece over recent decades to illegally clear formerly-protected land for expanded real estate.

== See also ==
* [[List of mountains in Greece]]
* [[National parks in Greece]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== Further reading ==
* {{Interlanguage link multi|Ernst Meyer (historian)|de|3=Ernst Meyer (Historiker)|lt=Ernst Meyer}}: ''Parnes. In: Der Kleine'' (''Parnitha''), Pauly 1972.

== External links ==
{{commons category|Parnitha}}
* [http://www.parnitha-np.gr Official website of the Parnitha National Park]
* [http://www.meteocam.gr/parnitha/ Accurate Forecasts in Parnitha]
* [http://www.ornithologiki.gr/gr/sppe/gr088.htm Birds in Parnitha] {{in lang|el}}
* [http://www.mpafi.gr Official website of the shelter Mpafi]

{{National parks in Greece}}
{{Landmarks of Attica}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Landforms of Attica]]
[[Category:Mountain ranges of Greece]]
[[Category:National parks of Greece]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Attica]]
[[Category:Landforms of West Attica]]
[[Category:Landforms of East Attica]]
[[Category:Natura 2000 in Greece]]