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Parnonas, the holy mountain of god Saturn |
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The sacred mountain of god Saturn, is a botanical paradise filled with trees, but probably unknown to the most people. A network of earthy roads and paths challenging for exploration, will reveal incredibly beautiful landscapes and villages uncontaminated by tourism.
As an example, Kastanitsa, which although is known as the "star of Parnonas", has a minimum number of hostels and a few restaurants for travelers who come here to walk on the streets and to admire the works of craftsmen from Lagadinia village.
In the embrace of this mountain, you will find some of the most beautiful villages in Greece.
You will be lost in the green color, you will relax and on your way back you will feel strong and able to lift several kilos from the burden of everyday life.
Parnonas or Malevos covers up to the middle the borders of the prefectures of Arcadia and Laconia. The name is ancient and derives from the same root with the names of Panrnitha and Parnassos mountains. We have the first reports from Pausanias and Stravonas.
The highest peak is the Great Tourla (1936 m), while on its ridge there are several peaks where the altitude exceeds the 1500 m (1803 m Gaitanorachi, Madari 1685 m).
The eastern slopes leading to elaborate bays, small beaches, the most of which do a steep "dive" into the waters of Argolikos Gulf and Myrtoo Sea with several beautiful and picturesque villages that are one of the best holiday destinations in the region, such as the famous Leonidio, the traditional Poulithra, Xiropigado etc.
At the west, Parnonas ends at Eurotas valley, which stems from Taygetos. |
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Accommodation proposals, entertainment and shopping in the nearby regions |
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Throughout the area covered by Parnonas, has been created a unique complex of rare beauty. Beautiful plateaus, multiple peaks, wild canyons of unparalleled beauty and deep valleys forming the diverse terrain of Parnonas. Hundreds of sources create an uninterrupted song, a hymn to nature. Three rivers - streams are emanating from the slopes of Parnonas reaching Argolis Gulf, Tanos, Vrasiatis and Dafnonas.
With the exception of its high peaks, it is a mountain with lush vegetation and complex flora, with rare pharmaceutical and aromatic herbs. The firs, pines, cedars, chestnuts, walnuts and oak trees cover a large part of its area.
The wetland of Moustos and the areas over the 1600 meters are introduced to the network of "Natura 2000", while the cedar forest, in Malevis area, the chestnut forest of Kastanitsa and the oak forest of Sellas in Platanos have been declared as monuments of nature.
Rich is the fauna too. The wild mammals living in Parnonas are mainly nocturnal, such as hares, foxes, badgers, ferrets, weasel, jackal and deers and many wild boars.
The avifauna is also very rich. There are tits, tsopanakos, thrushes, blackbirds, pheasants, crows. It includes 217 species, the most of which live permanently on Parnonas, 53 is the most endangered and some are rare as the Golden Eagle, the stepokirkos, the osprey, the Shore lark, the rock-blackbird, the snow- thrushes e.g.
Parnonas has also a rich fauna of amphibians and reptiles and 26 species have been recorded, such as the green toad, the tree-frog, the Marsh Frog, turtles and terrapins.
Dozens of villages are perched on the slopes of Parnonas, preserved and traditional, samples of high architecture and aesthetic. Quaint streets and alleyways, churches, trails, stone bridges, water mills, castles and towers will cause your admiration.
Wetland of Moustos
It is located 2 km southeast of Astros and left of the road Astros - Leonidio. It is integrated into the European network "Natura 2000" as a highly protected area. It is a small lake at a low altitude above the sea, which is connected with it by two artificial channels.
The main channel was created by Bavarian engineers, on Othonas era, for the purpose of draining the lake. It is supplied with fresh water from springs and with seawater too. The lake is relatively shallow and is surrounded by marshy land.
The flora is rich and fauna is very interesting, as have been observed many fish, reptiles, small mammals and a variety of birds.
In winter, the lake becomes more important, since it is a station for thousands of migratory birds, which create a unique sense of magic.
On the sandy beach, where the lake's channels flow, the small number of Caretta - Caretta turtles is multiplied. The sources of the lake are also used as curative spa. |
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Exploration
