Sunday, 1 October 2023

Mount Zas




We wanted to visit some of the villages that are situated up on Mount Zas, but did not feel like renting a car, so we took the bus instead. We were given the names of five villages that were a 'must' to visit, but the bus covered only three, so we decided to try those. We had approximately two hours in each village and that was enough for the first two, Chalki and Filoti, but not for Apeiranthos, the third one. When we go re-visit Naxos, soon, I hope,  I would like to stay up in Apeiranthos for a couple of days and then move down to the Hora.



These photographs were taken from a moving bus, and its windows were not that clean, so, overall, the quality is not too bad. They were taken between the village of Chalki and Apeiranthos.




With the highest peak of 1.004 metres or 3000 feet, Mt Zas, 18 km outside the Hora, is the Cyclades' tallest mountain.




It's no wonder that Zeus, father of the mythical Greek gods, would be raised here - he was brought to Mt Zas as a child from Crete in order to be saved from the fury of his father Kronos.




It was here that an eagle gave Zeus the thunderbolt giving him the power and title of Father of the Gods.



Small villages are nestled in the valleys




Finally, the whole area is very popular with hikers.




 

2 comments:

  1. Oh wow. Is it really the mythology that Zeus was raised at Mount Zas?
    A really wonderful spot. The white marble-like buildings in the towns are a lovely contrast to the surrounding mountains.

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    1. Hi Liam. One can visit the cave where Zeus was apparently born - it's one of the tourist attractions. We did not manage it next time, but I hope to do so in the future.

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