Mount Parnassus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Parnassus |
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Mount Parnassus
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 2,457 m (8,061 ft) |
| Prominence | 1,590 m (5,220 ft) |
| Listing | Ultra |
| Geography | |
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| Parent range | Pindus |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Hiking |
Mount Parnassus, also called Parnassos, is a famous mountain in central Greece. It's made of limestone rock and sits north of the Gulf of Corinth. In ancient Greek mythology, people believed this mountain was special to the god Apollo. It was also thought to be the home of the Muses, who were goddesses of art and science.
Mythology of Mount Parnassus
Mount Parnassus gets its name from a person named Parnassos. He was the son of a nymph (a nature spirit) called Kleodora and a man named Kleopompus. Parnassos was the leader of a city that was flooded by heavy rains. To escape the flood, the people ran up the mountain slopes. The people who survived built a new city there. They named this new city Lykoreia.
Many old stories say that Mount Parnassus was home to the Castalia fountain. This fountain was thought to be a source of inspiration. It was also believed to be the home of the Muses. Because of this, Mount Parnassus became known as a place for poetry, music, and learning.
Mount Parnassus appears in several other old Greek myths:
- In some stories about a great flood, like the one told by Ovid, the ark of Deucalion landed on Mount Parnassus.
- The hero Orestes hid on Mount Parnassus for a time.
- The mountain was also considered sacred to the god Dionysus, who was the god of wine and celebration.
- The Corycian Cave, found on the slopes of Mount Parnassus, was a special place for the god Pan and the Muses.
- In the famous story The Odyssey, the hero Odysseus tells how he was hurt by a boar during a hunt on Mount Parnassus when he was young.
- Some myths say Parnassus was also the home of Pegasus, the amazing winged horse that belonged to the hero Bellerophon.
Mount Parnassus Today
Today, Mount Parnassus is a popular place for winter sports. It has two main ski centers. The Parnassos Ski Centre is the biggest ski area in Greece. It has two parts called Kellaria and Fterolakka. There's also a smaller ski center called Gerontovrahos nearby.
Mount Parnassus is also important for its natural resources. It has large amounts of a mineral called bauxite. This bauxite is taken from the mountain. Then, it is changed into aluminium oxide, which is later used to make aluminium.
Images for kids
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Entrance to the Corycian Cave
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Painting of Mount Parnassus from Edward Dodwell's Views in Greece
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View of the resort
See also
In Spanish: Monte Parnaso para niños
