Mount Pentelic

Mount Pentelicus, known in modern Greek as Pendeli Oros, is a mountain of great historical and cultural importance located in the region of Attica, Greece, northeast of Athens and southwest of Marathon. With its highest peak, Kokkinaras, reaching an altitude of 1,107 meters, Mount Pentelicus is famous for its exceptional white marble, which played a crucial role in the construction of the most iconic monuments of ancient Athens, including the Parthenon on the Acropolis. The history of Mount Pentelicus is closely linked to the development of Athens. During the classical period, the quarries on its slopes provided high-quality marble, known as Pentelic marble, extensively used in the construction of the city’s monuments. This marble is recognized for its uniform white color with a slight yellowish hue that, under sunlight, gives it a golden brightness. Marble extraction from Mount Pentelicus dates back to at least the 5th century BC, a period when Athens, under the leadership of Pericles, undertook an ambitious construction program that included the Parthenon. The Pentelic quarries played a central role in this project, with about 25 operational quarries on the southern slopes of the mountain. Marble blocks were transported to Athens through a complex system of ramps, pulleys, and likely mule-drawn carts, showcasing the advanced engineering of the ancient Athenians. The importance of Pentelic marble extended beyond the borders of Greece. During the Hellenistic and Roman periods, this marble was exported to Italy and used in numerous architectural projects, including sarcophagi and statues. The high demand for Pentelic marble underscores its reputation as a material of exceptional quality and beauty, valued for its workability and aesthetics. Despite its historical significance, marble extraction in the quarries of Mount Pentelicus was halted in the 1960s to preserve the mountain and its archaeological sites. Today, the ancient quarries are protected by law, and marble extraction is limited to materials needed for the restoration of historical monuments, such as ongoing efforts to preserve the Acropolis. Mount Pentelicus is also known for its historical and mythological associations. The summit of the mountain housed a sanctuary dedicated to Athena, the goddess of wisdom and war, highlighting the spiritual significance of the site for the ancient Athenians. This sanctuary, along with other archaeological remains, indicates the mountain’s role not only as a source of valuable building material but also as a place of religious and cultural importance.