Exploring the Ancient Marble Road from Mt Pendeli to the Acropolis

Within the sunshine, the marble stones are dazzlingly vibrant. The cruel sounds of instruments intermingle with human voices because the stonemasons focus on the day’s work or make informal dialog. Items of marble which have been separated with care from the mountain’s embrace relaxation on the Attican soil, whereas craftsmen put together for his or her lengthy, painful, and dangerous journey to the Acropolis.

The big marble stones are guided with care to the start of the highway alongside which they are going to be transported down the mountain through a way of managed rolling. Then they are going to attain the “lithagogias” (or “stone-bearing”) highway, the place they are going to be loaded onto carts destined for the development web site of the Parthenon. The excavations and research of archaeologists have introduced sufficient proof to mild to allow us to think about scenes from the day-to-day work at Davelis Cave (aka “Amomon Cave”) on Mount Pendeli within the mid-Fifth century BC.

Right now, two-and-a-half millennia later, stonemasons have deserted Mt Pendeli’s historic quarry for good. Within the space across the cave – which stays a well-liked spot for weekend excursions – one encounters cyclists, carefree hikers, motocross bikers, households laden with picnicking gear, and, after all, rock climbers; the climbing routes of Davelis Cave are among the many oldest and extra well-known in Attica. A pair is having fun with the November sunshine on the plateau in entrance of Davelis Cave this early Sunday morning.

Contained in the cave, a small group of buddies take within the house, whereas one in every of them recounts myths, legends, and tales. These embrace how the brigand Christos Davelis as soon as had his hideout right here (a undeniable fact that has by no means been confirmed); the works that had been carried out through the navy dictatorship (1967-1974) and late Nineteen Seventies by the Ministry of Nationwide Protection; how, in antiquity, there was a temple right here devoted to the god Pan; and the way through the Byzantine period it was a monks’ hermitage (the supply of the title “Amomon Cave”). There may be even a conspiracy principle that connects it to satanic rituals.

The cave is spectacular, with an nearly mystical environment. Gazing on the partitions and the jagged ceiling filled with stalactites, one feels a sure sense of marvel. The primary to find it had been the traditional craftsmen who extracted the marble that might be used as materials for the development of the Parthenon. They created the doorway to the cave, and it’s stated {that a} portion of the cave itself was created by the excavations of the stonemasons through the years.

The marble highway

Whereas the cave itself is well-known to the residents of each the instant and the broader space, there’s a lot much less public consciousness of the previous marble highway which begins just some meters away and is as shut as one can get to a journey again in time to the Golden Age of Athens and the creation of its best monument. In whole, over 20,000 tons of Pentelic marble had been used within the development of the Parthenon. The start of the highway of “katagogi” (“descent”) is marked by a fallen marble column. The way in which is affected by slippery items of Pentelic marble, small and enormous, which replicate the sunshine of the solar because it climbs larger within the sky. It’s moderately beautiful to comprehend that just about 2,500 years in the past, on this similar path, one might hear the marble being rolled all the way down to the ready carts, whereas the encircling steep mountainsides echoed with the cries of the employees who’d taken on the mammoth process of transporting it to the constructing web site. It’s estimated the journey took about six hours in whole.

The traditional highway has lengthy been identified to historians and archaeologists. The route was described by Manolis Korres, professor of historic structure on the Nationwide Technical College of Athens and head of the Acropolis Restoration Service, in his e book “From Pendeli to the Parthenon” (Melissa Publishing Home, 1994): “The transport route started from the underside of the highway of the ‘katagogi’; it adopted the precise financial institution of the creek of Halandri over a distance of about 4 kilometers, then the left financial institution for a distance of one other 4, after which it approached the route of Kifisias Avenue, overlapping with a piece of it, after which by way of what at this time is the Nationwide Backyard and the southern slope of the Acropolis. It ended instantly previous the Sanctuary of the Nymphe at an elevation of 96m the place it intersected with one other highway, which (working alongside the western facet of the Odeon of Herodes Atticus) led to the Acropolis.” Newer excavations and finds help his descriptions.

A well-kept secret

In case you determine to stroll down from the cave on the previous marble highway, word that the way in which forks after about 250m. You need to observe the left, narrower, and extra downhill path, taking care as it’s fairly steep. It’s simple to see that that is the continuation of the route, as it’s strewn with items of marble, whereas the precise department is a mud highway. Be sure that to absorb the views as you stroll, however watch your step, too. From this elevation you’ll be able to see all of Athens laid out earlier than you, with the ocean within the distance and the slopes of Mt Pendeli round you. After about half a kilometer – estimate roughly 700m from the beginning of the traditional highway – there’s a well-hidden secret. Just a few meters previous a pine tree rising in the course of the trail, the trail curves to the left. Proper at this bend, search for a small pine tree on the left and also you’ll see the well-hidden entrance to a really slender path that’s partly overgrown, with massive stones scattered round. Proceed fastidiously, and search for some massive sq. holes on the rocks to your left. Wood helps, to which ropes had been mounted to manage the marble stones’ descent, had been positioned in these holes. The holes are about 30cm extensive and 35-40cm deep.

Returning to the trail, a descent of about one other half kilometer takes you to a mud highway that can lead you to Perikleous Avenue. Makeshift indicators in purple, yellow, and blue paint that point out you’re on the proper path will be seen at varied locations on the large rocks within the middle and close to the path’s edge. The vegetation is restricted to small bushes and bushes which supply no shade – should you take your stroll on a heat, sunny day, be certain to have a hat with you – however soften the look of the panorama. Right here and there, persistent wildflowers and fragrant herbs develop, spreading acquainted scents.

Strolling the whole size of Perikleous Avenue, you’ll cross Tristrato – the purpose the place three paths meet – the place you’ll be able to hear the hum of the electrical energy pylons there, a sound that resembles the babble of a brook or the rustling of leaves. You’re now shifting by way of a residential space, heading for the confluence of Perikleous and Iroon Polytechniou streets close to the sq. of Nea Pendeli. Flip left right here, observe Alexandrou Panagouli Avenue and cross the stone bridge with care, because the sidewalk is kind of slender. About ten meters after the crossing you’ll see the doorway to a path in your proper. This path, about two kilometers in size, has been signposted by the character lovers’ group Vrilissos and can lead you to the world of Aghia Marina within the district of Melissia in about 45 minutes.

An idyllic refuge

The distinction between the rocky terrain of the mountain and the luxurious vegetation alongside the creek is fascinating. The trail is shady, flanked by tall bushes and lined with bushes and seasonal flowers. At completely different factors, the creek itself is seen: a rivulet of water flowing gently alongside the bottom of a gully. In case you observe this route within the winter or spring, the stream of water is larger and its sound cool and soothing, an idyllic refuge just some meters away from the noise of town. There are each uphill and downhill stretches, with a number of the latter being significantly treacherous on account of fallen leaves and pine needles. Even if ropes have been fastened at one or two places so that you can seize and progress securely, having strolling sticks and, after all, the precise sneakers – mountain climbing boots are preferable – will assist. Sturdy footwear will likely be significantly helpful on the factors the place the trail meets the stream and you should step within the creekbed to proceed your stroll.

Alongside the route you’ll encounter an enthralling plant nursery, close to the stone bridge of Asklipiou Avenue. A couple of minutes additional on from there, you’ll attain Aghia Marina and the top of this part of the creek. From there, take Palaion Latomeion Avenue to succeed in the spectacular five-arched, marble Doukissis Plakentias bridge (Greek for “Duchess of Plaisance”). This all-white bridge was inbuilt 1836 out of Pentelic marble; its development was funded by the Duchess of Plaisance, Sophie de Marbois-Lebrun. That is the oldest surviving bridge in Athens and was additionally used for the transport of marble within the first half of the nineteenth century – this time for the development of Athens’ royal palaces when, by order of King Otto, the Pendeli Quarry was re-opened.

A brief distance from the bridge is Thyras Park, the place you’ll be able to chill out and relaxation out of your stroll, grateful that you just’re not a Fifth-century BC employee hauling marble all the way in which to the Acropolis, an additional 14km away.