Mainalo
| Mainalo | |
|---|---|
 Greek fir forest on Mt. Mainalo | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,980 m (6,500 ft) [1] |
| Coordinates | 37°36′19″N 22°17′40″E / 37.60528°N 22.29444°ECoordinates: 37°36′19″N 22°17′40″E / 37.60528°N 22.29444°E [1] |
| Dimensions | |
| Area | 6,070 km2 (2,340 sq mi) |
| Naming | |
| Etymology | from Ancient Greek Μαίναλον (Maínalon) |
| Geography | |
| Geology | |
| Mountain type | Mountain range |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Hike |
Mainalo (Modern Greek: Μαίναλο, Ancient Greek: Μαίναλος or Μαίναλον - Mainalos or Mainalon; Latin: Mænalus), also known as Menalon,[2] is a mountain range in Arcadia, Greece, the tallest of which is called by the same name,[2] all named after the mythological Maenalus, son of Lycaon. The Mainalo mountain range consists of most of the Arcadian prefecture, stretching from the Tripoli plateau to the Lousios river and from Megapolis to lake Ladon, spanning 6,070 square kilometres (2,340 sq mi),[3] while the mountain spans a latitude of 15 to 20 kilometers from southwest of Tripoli to northeast of Vytina, and a longitude of 5 to 10 kilometers from Zygovisti to Kapsas,[4] covering an area of 226 square kilometres (87 sq mi).[1]
The Mainalo mountain was turned into a nature reserve under Natura 2000 in February 1995.[1]
The highest peak of the range is known as Ostrakina, or Profitis Ilias, and at 1,980 meters tall, is the highest mountaintop in Arcadia.[1][4] The slope of this peak is home to a ski resort elevated at 1,600 meters,[4] consisting of 7 ski slopes, 4 lifts, and various facilities and services.[5]
In medieval times and until the late-20th century, the mountain was known as Apano Chrepa.[6]
Geography
Mainalo's ground is mostly made of lime.[1]
The Mainalo mountain range has various named peaks. Listed by height, they are, among others;[7]
- Ostrakina at 1,980 metres (6,500 ft)
- Tzelati at 1,868 metres (6,129 ft)
- Mesovouni at 1,860 metres (6,100 ft)
- Aintinis at 1,849 metres (6,066 ft)
- Mourtzia at 1,794 metres (5,886 ft)
- Xerakia at 1,771 metres (5,810 ft)
The mountain is entirely surrounded by roads, the GR-74 bounds the range to the northeast, and the Tripoli provincial road linking Tripoli and Vytina runs around its southwest.[1]
Ecology
The mountain range houses many forests of Greek fir and Crimean pine. Natura 2000 cites these forests as the "[Greek fir and Crimean pine's] best representation in Peloponnisos."[1]
Many amphibians, reptiles, mammals, insects, and diurnal predatory birds inhabit Mainalo. These include, among others;[1]
- Reptiles such as the Balkan whip snake, Marginated tortoise, Kotschy's gecko, Greek rock lizard, Peloponnese wall lizard, European copper skink, and the Horned viper.
- Mammals such as the European hare, Beech marten, European badger, Lesser noctule bat, Edible dormice, Thomas's pine voles, and the Western broad-toothed field mice.
- Amphibians such as the European green toad, European tree frog, Syrian spadefoot.
- Birds such as the Northern goshawk, Eurasian sparrowhawk, Common buzzard, Common kestrel, and the Peregrine falcon.
- Insects such as the Plebejus sephirus butterfly, Persian skipper butterfly, Eastern orange tip butterfly and the Mountain small white butterfly.
Notable people
- Androsthenes of Maenalus, a pankratiast who won gold in the ancient Olympic games in 420 and 416 BC.[8]:59-64[9]:27[10]:10
- Damoxenidas of Maenalus, a boxer who won gold in the ancient Olympic games in 384 BC.[8]:59-64[9]:159[11]:246
- Ephotion of Maenalus, a pankratiast who won gold in the ancient Olympic games in 464 BC.[10]:60
- Euthymenes of Maenalus, a boys' and adult wrestler who won gold as in the ancient Olympic games in 400 and 392 BC.[8]:59-65[10]:66
- Nicodamus of Maenalus, a sculptor who made statues of ancient Olympic victors and Greek mythological figures.
- Phorims of Maenalus, a distinguished fighter who became rich in service of Gelo.[8]:59
- Xenocles of Maenalus, a boys' wrestler who won gold in the ancient Olympic games in 372 BC.[8]:59-65[10]:177
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "N2K GR2520001 dataforms". Natura 2000. Retrieved 2017-12-20.
- 1 2 "The Menalon Trail". Menalon Trail. Retrieved 2018-01-15.
- ↑ "Ορος Μαίναλο" [Mount Mainalo]. arcadia.ceid.upatras.gr. Retrieved 2018-01-15.
- 1 2 3 "Mainalo". peloponnese.eu. 2016. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
- ↑ "Ostrakina Ski Center - Mainalon". Greek Travel Pages. Retrieved 2018-05-26.
- ↑ Orr, James (1915). "Greece; Graecia". International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. II. Chicago: Howard-Severance Co. p. 1296 – via Archive.org.
- ↑ "Στην κορυφή Τζελάτη του Μαινάλου" [At the Tzelati peak of Mainalo]. hikingexperience.gr (in Greek). October 15, 2011. Retrieved 2018-02-22.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Leake, William Martin (1846). "Olympia". Pelopomnesiaca: a Supplement to Traveis in Morea with Maps. Australia: Rodwell – via Google Books.
- 1 2 Matz, David (1991). Greek and Roman sport: a dictionary of athletes and events from the eighth century B.C. to the third century A.D. United States: McFarland & Company Incorporated Pub. ISBN 9780899505589. OCLC 925131929.
- 1 2 3 4 Golden, Mark (2004). Sport in the Ancient World from A to Z. United States: Routledge. ISBN 9781134535965 – via Archive.org.
- ↑ Durántez Corral, Conrado (2010). El significado de la victoria en los juegos de Olimpia - Los vencedores Olimpicos [The significance of victory in the games of Olympia - The Olympic victors] (PDF) (in Spanish). León: University of León.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mainalo. |
- Mainalo Ski Center (in Greek)
- Forecasts on Mainalo
- University of Patras article on Mainalo (in Greek)