Lykavittos Λυκαβηττός | |
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Neighborhood | |
 Mount Lycabettus | |
 Interactive map of Lykavittos | |
| Coordinates:37°58′40″N23°44′30″E / 37.97778°N 23.74167°E /37.97778; 23.74167 | |
| Country | Greece |
| Region | Attica |
| City | Athens |
| Postal code | 114 71, 115 21 |
| Website | www.lycabettushill.com |
Mount Lycabettus (/ˌlaɪkəˈbɛtəs/), also known asLycabettos,Lykabettos orLykavittos (Greek:Λυκαβηττός,pronounced[likaviˈtos]), is aCretaceouslimestone hill in theGreek capitalAthens. At 277 meters (908 feet) above sea level, its summit is the highest point in Central Athens andpine trees cover its base. The name also refers to the residential neighbourhood immediately below the east of the hill.
The hill is a tourist destination and can be ascended by theLycabettus Funicular, afunicular railway which climbs the hill from a lower terminus atKolonaki (The railway station is at Aristippou street). At its two peaks are the 19th century Chapel of St. George, a theatre, and a restaurant.
Lycabettus appears in various legends. Popular stories suggest it was once the refuge of wolves (lycos in Greek), which is possibly the origin of its name (means "the one [the hill] that is walked by wolves"). Another etymology suggests aPelasgian, pre-Mycenean, origin (Lucabetu=mastoid hill).[1]
Mythologically, Lycabettus is credited toAthena, who created it when she dropped a limestone mountain she had been carrying from thePallene peninsula for the construction of theAcropolis after the box holdingErichthonius was opened.
The hill has a large open-airamphitheatre near the top, which has housed many Greek and international concerts. In 2008 it closed due to safety concerns. By 2022 the city of Athens suggested renovating and reopening the theatre. After being closed for 15 years, the theatre was reopened in September of 2023.[2] Among the artists who have performed at the Lycabettus theatre areRay Charles,Joan Baez,B.B. King,Chuck Berry,Jerry Lee Lewis,Leonard Cohen,James Brown,Bob Dylan,Paco De Lucia,Al Di Meola,John Mc Laughlin,Gary Moore,Peter Gabriel,Black Sabbath,Nick Cave,Bjork,Dead Can Dance,Pet Shop Boys,Deep Purple,UB40,Placebo,Morrissey,Radiohead,Moby,Massive Attack,Faith No More,Faithless,Whitesnake,Tracy Chapman,Nightwish,Slipknot,Patti Smith,Vanessa Mae,Bryan Ferry,Tito Puente,Buena Vista Social Club,Orishas,The Prodigy,Iron Maiden,Nazareth,Blackmore's Night,Scorpions,Mathame,Adriatique Human Rias andRotting Christ.
Media related toLycabettus at Wikimedia CommonsPlaces adjacent to Mount Lycabettus | ||||||||||||||||
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