More than 50 registered caves and cave-precipices
The numerous cliffs and caves which are observed on Hymettus, are of particular interest, as they are biotopes with specific ecological conditions providing a living place for a specific assemblage of rare or/and native plants and animals.
At cliffs, steep and inaccessible places of Mt. Hymettus, several rare and important species of plants and animals are observed. A large percentage of indigenous plant species in Greece are chasmophytes, that is, plants that colonise the crevices of rocks.
More than 50 karst formations have been recorded on Mt. Hymettus by the Hellenic Speleological Society, namely caves and cave-precipices.
The main caves and precipices are the following:
Peania Cave or ‘Koutouki’
It is located on the eastern side of Mt. Hymettus, at an altitude of 520 meters southeast of the iconic shrouds of the summit ‘Evzonas’.
It is 4 kilometres away from Peania and it is the most beautiful and most spectacular cave of Attica, in terms of its formations.
Cave Leontariou (Cave Lion)
It is situated at the northeastern side of Mt. Hymettus, at an altitude of 540 metres and its dimensions are approximately 50 by 20 metres.
The cave has two large rows of stalagmites and an umbrella-shaped formation, scarce in Greece. According to legend, in the cave lived a lion which devastated the region and was eventually slain and petrified by St. Nikolaos.
A life-size, (1,40m by 0,70m and 1,50m height) marble statue of a lion, (possibly dated to the 6th century B.C.) is in front of the church of St. Nikolaos in Kantza.
Cave of ‘Nympholiptos’
Located north of Vari, at an altitude of 270 metres. It is the most interesting cave in terms of archeology, since it is perhaps the only cave in Greece which has carved sculptures (relief sculptures) in its interior.
The sculptor Archedimos settled in this cave during the 5th century B.C. and turned it into a place of worship, mainly of the Nymphs and also of Apollo and Pan. Archedimos carved a series of steps at the entrance of the cave and inside it, at the stalactites, a seated deity, a shrine, holders for various votive offerings, several inscriptions and himself holding a hammer and chisel in his hands.
Excavations at the beginning of the previous century have brought to light a large number of clay lamps, as well as various votive stone inscriptions. The majority of these findings are exhibited at the National Archaeological Museum.
Large Precipice of Asteri
The Large Precipice of Asteri is located at an altitude of 480 metres and 500 metres north of the homonymous monastery Asteriou. The first cave room was explored in 1938, while the exploration of the entire precipice was completed in 1943.
With the exception of the first 20 metres, the Large Precipice of Asteri is generally not easily accessible.
More than 50 registered caves and cave-precipices
The numerous cliffs and caves which are observed on Hymettus, are of particular interest, as they are biotopes with specific ecological conditions providing a living place for a specific assemblage of rare or/and native plants and animals.
At cliffs, steep and inaccessible places of Mt. Hymettus, several rare and important species of plants and animals are observed. A large percentage of indigenous plant species in Greece are chasmophytes, that is, plants that colonise the crevices of rocks.
More than 50 karst formations have been recorded on Mt. Hymettus by the Hellenic Speleological Society, namely caves and cave-precipices.
The main caves and precipices are the following:
Peania Cave or ‘Koutouki’
It is located on the eastern side of Mt. Hymettus, at an altitude of 520 meters southeast of the iconic shrouds of the summit ‘Evzonas’.
It is 4 kilometres away from Peania and it is the most beautiful and most spectacular cave of Attica, in terms of its formations.
Cave Leontariou (Cave Lion)
It is situated at the northeastern side of Mt. Hymettus, at an altitude of 540 metres and its dimensions are approximately 50 by 20 metres.
The cave has two large rows of stalagmites and an umbrella-shaped formation, scarce in Greece. According to legend, in the cave lived a lion which devastated the region and was eventually slain and petrified by St. Nikolaos.
A life-size, (1,40m by 0,70m and 1,50m height) marble statue of a lion, (possibly dated to the 6th century B.C.) is in front of the church of St. Nikolaos in Kantza.
Cave of ‘Nympholiptos’
Located north of Vari, at an altitude of 270 metres. It is the most interesting cave in terms of archeology, since it is perhaps the only cave in Greece which has carved sculptures (relief sculptures) in its interior.
The sculptor Archedimos settled in this cave during the 5th century B.C. and turned it into a place of worship, mainly of the Nymphs and also of Apollo and Pan. Archedimos carved a series of steps at the entrance of the cave and inside it, at the stalactites, a seated deity, a shrine, holders for various votive offerings, several inscriptions and himself holding a hammer and chisel in his hands.
Excavations at the beginning of the previous century have brought to light a large number of clay lamps, as well as various votive stone inscriptions. The majority of these findings are exhibited at the National Archaeological Museum.
Large Precipice of Asteri
The Large Precipice of Asteri is located at an altitude of 480 metres and 500 metres north of the homonymous monastery Asteriou. The first cave room was explored in 1938, while the exploration of the entire precipice was completed in 1943.
With the exception of the first 20 metres, the Large Precipice of Asteri is generally not easily accessible.