Attica is one of the historical regions of Greece, which has a rich history, which is confirmed by many archaeological finds and historical monuments. And the geographical position of the region makes it one of the most attractive in terms of tourism and recreation.
Geographical position
Attica attracts not only with its history and natural attractions. This is the land on which ancient legends and myths still live. The territory where Attica is located is in the southeastern part of Greece and is washed on three sides by the waters of the bays of the Aegean: Saronicos from the south, Petalia from the east, Notios Evoikos from the northeast. In the north, it borders with one of the regions of Central Greece - Boeotia, and in the west - with the Peloponesse. Attica also includes the islands of the Saronic Gulf. The terrain is mostly mountainous, especially in the north, and gradually decreases to the south. The mountains of Kiferon and Parnet, which are the natural border with Central Greece, stretch their spurs throughout the region. They represent a rocky mountain range, only in the higher part covered with coniferous forest. The largest spurs of Parnet are Pentelikon and Gimett. The lower spurs of Kiferon, going south, are called Kerata, and the southeastern branch merges with Parnassus with a height of more than 1,400 meters and forms a mountainous region that goes to the sea. Along the southern edge of this region runs Mount Lavrius, which ends with the southernmost point of the peninsula - Cape Sounion.
Plains and rivers
Between the mountain ranges are valleys with rocky soil. The largest plains in Attica are three:
- The Athenian Plain is bounded in the north by Mount Parnet, in the northeast by the Pentelikon chain, and from the southeast by the Gimett Mountains;
- The Triassic plain, the most even, stretches north to Kiferon and Parnet, and from the east the spurs of Parnet separate it from the Athenian valley;
- the valley between Gimett and the mountain chain in the east is the most hilly;
- wide coastal bands formed off the coast due to alluvial lands, the largest of which is the Marathon Plain, the other is located near the mouth of Asop.
Attica is one of the driest regions of the country. There are no full-flowing rivers that could be used for irrigation. The most significant of them:
- Attica's largest river, Kefiss, flowing along the Athenian valley, it originates at the foot of the Pentelikon and flows in a south-westerly direction, however, most of the water goes to irrigate the arid plain;
- another Ilissus river flows from the foot of the Gymett, but is soon lost in the sands.
- another creek Enoe flows through the Marathon Plain.
The coast of Attica is indented with many picturesque and convenient for navigation bays, which resulted in the development of navigation. Currently, these cozy bays and bays, thanks to the warm climate, are a favorite vacation spot for surfers and divers, and the coastline is filled with magnificent sandy beaches.
Climatic conditions
Attica's mild subtropical climate is characterized by long, dry summers and short, humid winters. The average summer air temperature is 26-28 degrees, but in July and August the temperature can reach 38 degrees. Due to its low humidity, heat is tolerated quite easily. The swimming season lasts from April to October. In winter, the air temperature is from five to ten degrees Celsius, but there is little rain. Such a temperate climate can be explained by the influence of air currents coming from the Mediterranean Sea - in the winter, westerly winds blow, and in the summer - cool winds from the northeast. There is no strong heat and winter colds of continental Europe.
Soil and natural resources
The natural conditions of Attica did not allow the cultivation of grain here. Due to stony soils and lack of moisture, the valleys were unsuitable for farming, but ancient authors wrote that although bread does not grow on this land, it will feed more people than if it grew here. This will happen due to the abundance of magnificent stone for the construction of temples and altars, as well as the presence of silver, available here by the will of the gods. And for the ships of Attica - this is the land that has reliable marinas where they can hide from the weather.
Attica Marble
The mountains of Attica are composed of limestone and slate, as well as magnificent marble, the extraction of which began at the turn of the 3-2 millennium BC. Ancient Greek temples, which were originally built from limestone, began to be erected from marble, which was mined at Pentelikon. Parthenon is built from it. Pentelian marble is distinguished by its purest white color and fine grain. It also wonderfully shines through in the sunshine, however, it turns yellow over time. In the construction of the Acropolis, dark-colored Piraeus marble was also used. In Attica, the Eleusinian marble of almost black color, fine-grained Gimett marble was also mined. This material was highly valued and exported from Greece to Ancient Rome, where it was used in architecture and sculpture. In the reddish cliffs of the Lavrion Mountains, there were silver-rich mines, and the Gymetta mountain range was a source of excellent honey.
Pottery and Agriculture
Attica's reddish clay was especially appreciated, it was of good quality and convenient in work, therefore pottery was well developed. Amphora was made of clay - large jugs with a narrow neck and handles, in which wine and olive oil were stored and transported. Clay was also used for the manufacture of tiles, pipes, barrels and many other household items.
Thanks to mild winters, dry summers and plenty of sunshine, olive and fig trees always grew well on the plains of Attica, vineyards were grown on the mountain slopes, so wine, olives, olive oil, figs were always the main agricultural products and were exported. Attic wool in antiquity was very popular, it is famous even now. Sheep, goats, and cattle are raised in the mountains.
The origin of the inhabitants of Attica
The inhabitants of Attica for the most part belonged to the Ionian tribe - one of the four main Greek tribes, named after the legendary hero. The Ionians, along with the Dorians, are considered the main carriers of the national culture of Greece. The entire population of Attica was divided into four classes according to the generic characteristic, which were called filas:
- gelons - noble, they were called "brilliant";
- hoplites were warriors;
- ergadei - farmers;
- egikorei - these were goat-dogs or simply shepherds.
In social terms, phyla consisted of large clans, each of which was divided into several dozen clan families. Families in a certain order united in phratries, that is, religious groups with their own traditions and rites. Such an organization did not concern the conquered tribes and their descendants, although they, too, were free to engage in crafts, trade or agriculture and had their own associations, they were called metecs.
Athens: geographical location
Geographically, Attica is divided into two main parts - the capital of the region and the whole country - Athens with its suburbs and the rest of the territory. The capital is named after the goddess of wisdom Athena, who, according to legend, gave the inhabitants an olive tree. According to another version, the name of the city comes from the word "Athos" - a flower. Athens is located on the central plain of Attica and is surrounded by mountains from the west, north and east, and from the south-west side has access to the Gulf of Saronicos. Currently, the city has already occupied the entire plain, but its suburbs continue to expand.
Antique democracy
Athens is not only the administrative center of the country; even in ancient times, the city played a crucial role in cultural and economic terms. It was here that, as a result of a long and fierce struggle between the clan aristocracy and demos, such a form of government as ancient democracy was born, which became a model of popular government. This unique form of government formed in Athens in the 5th century BC. e. And although in later times Athens went the hard way of destructive wars, experienced the power of many conquerors, in their history there was this period of high citizenship and freedom - democracy.
Athens Golden Age
Ancient Athens emerged as a fortified settlement on a hilltop, and then turned into a city-state as a result of Sinoikism, which meant the unification of the tribal communities of Attica around the Acropolis of Athens. This process took several centuries. According to ancient myths, the union was due to the legendary son of King Aegeus - Theseus, who also introduced the division of the population of Athens into social layers:
- eupatrides - tribal nobility;
- geomors - farmers;
- demiurges are artisans.
The Athenian state reached its peak during the reign of Pericles - in the 5th century BC. e. This time was called the Golden Age of Athens. During this period, the main temple of Athena was built - the Parthenon, a unique monument of ancient architecture. The temple was built by the ancient Greek masters Kallikrath and Iktin, and beautiful sculptural compositions were made by the famous architect Phidias. The peculiarity of the temple is that from one point its facade is visible from three sides, due to the fact that the columns are placed at an angle to each other. Phidias also created the famous statue of Athena from marble and gold. This sculpture is a masterpiece of ancient architecture.
Modernity
The political power of Athens ended with the beginning of the devastating wars with Sparta, and then with Macedonia. Further Athens fell under the rule of the Romans, after which the Turks came. For many centuries the glory of the city faded. Many monuments of history and architecture were destroyed. Only after a long struggle for independence in the 19th century, Athens again became the capital of Greece. Now it is a huge metropolis with a population of more than five million people, once again gaining the status of the cultural and political center of the country and having many historical monuments.
Piraeus
On the southern outskirts of Athens, Piraeus is located - the largest port in Greece, as well as a major industrial center of the country and an important transport hub. Back in the 5th century BC. e annual port turnover amounted to significant amounts. Thanks to the convenient geographical location of Athens, the presence of safe harbors, Piraeus has become a transit point through which various types of goods passed. The port had shipyards, workshops, and storage facilities. Athens with its port was considered the most profitable city, since merchants could get Athenian silver for goods here, which was valued everywhere.
Attica Attractions
Attica is currently a popular tourist area with many historical and architectural attractions, as well as wonderful nature and magnificent beaches. The main symbols of Attica are located in Athens. An invaluable historical monument is the architectural complex Acropolis, on which is located the main temple of ancient Athens - the Parthenon, a place of pilgrimage for a huge number of people. Of the historical places in the vicinity of Athens, the monastery of Daphne is very popular. On the high cliff of Cape Sounion was built the Temple of Poseidon, from which now there are magnificent ruins. The fishermen, going to sea, brought donations here - the god Poseidon was the second most important for the Greeks, since their life was inextricably linked with the sea. In Eleusis, one of the most important shrines of ancient Attica is located - the temple of the goddess Demeter, who gave grain to the Greeks. In honor of her, holidays were held every year in spring and autumn. On the island of Aegina is the ghost town of Palayochora, empty a hundred years ago.
Attica's nature is also amazing and beautiful. On Mount Imittos there is a wonderful healing spring, bestowed, according to legend, by the god Hephaestus to people. Thermal Lake Vouliagmeni possesses unique healing properties , which is replenished from sources located at its depth, and an unusual fish-doctor is able to rejuvenate the skin, cleansing it of dead cells. The endless coastline is strewn with many magnificent beaches, places of recreation and water sports.
A great place to spend a comfortable summer vacation is Attica - the photos show amazing landscapes of nature, and the enthusiastic reviews of travelers are evidence of the popularity of this region of Greece.