Varasova

Varasova
Varasova from Kryoneri
Highest point
Elevation 917 m (3,009 ft) [1]
Coordinates 38°21′49″N 21°35′31″E / 38.3635°N 21.592°E / 38.3635; 21.592Coordinates: 38°21′49″N 21°35′31″E / 38.3635°N 21.592°E / 38.3635; 21.592 
Naming
Pronunciation Greek: [vaˈrasova]
Geography
Varasova

Varasova (Greek: Βαράσοβα) is a limestone mountain in the southern part of Aetolia-Acarnania in western Greece. It was known as Chalcis (Ancient Greek: Χαλκίς) in antiquity, and there was an ancient Aetolian town at its foot named Chalcis, Hypochalcis or Chalceia[2] (hence the name of the current administrative unit Chalkeia). It rises steeply from the coast of the Gulf of Patras to 917 m elevation.[1] It is situated just east of the mouth of the river Evinos, 3 km east of Galatas, 14 km east of Missolonghi and 18 km northwest of Patras. 8 km to its east is the mountain Klokova. There are several rock climbing routes on the steep south and southwest faces of the Varasova.[1]

It is referred to as the Mount Athos of Rumelia or Western Greece, due to the large number of churches and monasteries (around 72) built in the Byzantine and the Ottoman period.[3] Several still exist today, including the 9th-18th century cave monastery of Agios Nikolaos near Kryoneri, which is only accessible by boat.[4]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Oreivatein
  2. ↑  Smith, William, ed. (1854). "Chalcis". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography. 1. London: John Murray. p. 600.
  3. ↑ Kryoneri tourist guide
  4. ↑ [http://www.galatas.gr/page-6.html Galatas tourist guide
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.