MADAMA
Massif to the east of the Athens metropolitan area, with numerous trails, five medieval monasteries and a Natura 2000 area.
This small massif (Υμηττός/Ymittos) stretches 16 km east from the center of Athens to the Saronic Gulf. Reaching an altitude of 1,026 m, it is one of the four mountains that frame Athens, along with Ægialea (469 m) to the west, Parnes (1,413 m) to the north and Pentelic (1,109 m) to the northeast. Bordered by ten municipalities (including Athens, Kaisariani and Glyfada) and the campus of the University of Athens, the massif is one of the last green zones in the conurbation. Constantly monitored by fire-fighting helicopters in summer, it is home to the "Hymette aesthetic forest". Located around the Kaisariani monastery, this 8-hectare Natura 2000 area boasts some 700 plant species and 104 bird species, as well as an olive grove and vineyards. Renowned since antiquity for its honey and thyme, the Hymette is criss-crossed by numerous marked hiking and mountain-biking trails. There are also three active monasteries: Agios Ioannis Kynigos (founded in the late 12th century) to the north, Agios Ioannis tou Theologou (15th century) to the northwest, and Agios Ioannis Prodromou Karea (late 11th century) to the west. In the central part, the Asteriou monastery (10th century), like that of Kaisariani, has been transformed into a historic site and is open to visitors (daily except Mondays 8am-1pm, 5pm-7pm). Finally, to the east, in the municipality of Peania, the small cave of Koutouki boasts a beautiful hall of limestone concretions, with guided tours (daily 8.30 a.m.-3.30 p.m.).
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