Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
65m down to the sea. Built in 444 BC it is constructed of local marble from Agrilesa, and
its slender columns, of which 16 remain, are Doric. It is thought that the temple was built
by Iktinos, the architect of the Temple of Hephaestus in Athens' Ancient Agora.
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Mt Parnitha
highest mountain range surrounding the city, and serves as the 'lungs' of Athens. Tragic-
ally, more than 4200 hectares of century-old fir and pine forest was razed in devastating
fires in 2007. The state has since tripled the area designated as national park and
launched a reforestation program.
Mt Parnitha comprises a number of smaller peaks, the highest of which is
Karavola
(1413m). The park is crisscrossed by walking trails, is a popular hiking and mountain-
biking destination, and has two shelters for hikers. Find the Road Editions hiking map of
the area. There are many caves and much wildlife, including red deer.
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Marathon & Around
The plain surrounding the unremarkable small town of Marathon, 42km northeast of
Athens, is the site of one of the most celebrated battles in world history. In 490 BC an
army of 9000 Greeks and 1000 Plataeans defeated the 25,000-strong Persian army. The
Greeks were indebted to the ingenious tactics of Miltiades, who altered the conventional
battle formation so that there were fewer soldiers in the centre, but more in the wings.
This lulled the Persians into thinking the Greeks were going to be a pushover. They
broke through in the centre but were then ambushed by the soldiers in the wings. At the
end of the day, 6000 Persians and only 192 Greeks lay dead. After the battle, Pheidip-
pides ran to Athens to announce the victory. After shouting 'Enikesame!' ('We won!') he
collapsed and died. This is the origin of today's marathon race.
The 192 men who fell at Marathon were cremated and buried in the collective
Mara-
thon Tomb
( 229 405 5462; site & museum adult/child €3/free; 8.30am-3pm Tue-Sun)
,
4km before the town. Nearer to town, the site's excellent
museum
( 22940 55155)
dis-
plays local discoveries, including Neolithic pottery from the Cave of Pan, finds from the
Tomb of the Athenians and well-preserved statues from an Egyptian sanctuary.
