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Pentelic marble

Mount Pentelicus
Mount Pentelikon
Πεντέλη, Πεντελικόν, Πεντελικό Όρος
Πανοραμική Νέας Πεντέλης.jpg
Highest point
Elevation 1,109 m (3,638 ft) 
Coordinates 38°4′51″N 23°53′59″E / 38.08083°N 23.89972°E / 38.08083; 23.89972Coordinates: 38°4′51″N 23°53′59″E / 38.08083°N 23.89972°E / 38.08083; 23.89972
Geography
A map showing the location of Mount Pentelicus in Greece.
A map showing the location of Mount Pentelicus in Greece.
Mount Pentelicus
Penteli, Attica, Greece

Mount Pentelicus or Pentelikon (Greek: Πεντέλη, Πεντελικόν or Πεντελικό Όρος) is a mountain range in Attica, Greece, situated northeast of Athens and southwest of Marathon. Its highest point is the peak Pyrgari, elevation 1,109 m. The mountain is covered in large part with forest (about 60 or 70%), and can be seen from southern Athens (Attica), the Pedia plain, Parnitha, and the southern part of the northern suburbs of Athens. Houses surround the mountain, especially in Vrilissia, Penteli, Ekali, Dionysos and north of Gerakas.

In ancient times it was also called Brilissos or Brilittos (Greek: Βριλησσός, Βριληττός) which is the origin of the name of the nearby suburb of Vrilissia.

Even since antiquity, Mount Pentelicus has been famous for its marble, which was used for the construction of the Acropolis and other buildings of ancient Athens. Pentelic marble is flawless white with a uniform, faint yellow tint, which makes it shine with a golden hue under sunlight. The ancient quarry is protected by law, and used exclusively to obtain material for the Acropolis Restoration Project. The roadway used to transport marble blocks from the quarry to the Acropolis in antiquity is a continual downhill, and follows the natural lay of the land. It has been researched and fully documented by the chief Acropolis restoration architect, Professor Manolis Korres, in his award-winning book From Pentelicon to the Parthenon. A monastery is also located in the middle of the mountain, north-east of city centre.


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Wikipedia

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