Hymettos, Kaisariani - A trip in time

Kaisariani Fire Guard Station junction

This is the preferred starting point for many hikers and bicyclists.

Entrance to the path

Right across the Kaisariani Fire Guard Station is the entrance to the path. Actually, it's the shortcut to the original path that once used to start much lower between the neighborhoods of Kaisariani and Ilissia and was interrupted when the ring road was constructed in the 80's. It's quite steep just for about 50 meters.

The main path

This is where the shortcut meets the original path.

Looking East

Top and West slopes of Mt. Hymettos. View towards Kalopoula fountain. On the left, towards North are the military construction remains of the WWII German occupation.

Trail heading South

For a few meters between the Taxiarchis and Kalogeros hills, the trail heads South.

Dirt road in the pine tree forest

Following the dirt road passing under the south side of Taxiarchis hill, heading South-East.

City views

Amazing views of the city center, Piraeus.

Mt. Parnetha

On the North side of the city stands Mt. Parnetha.

Ancient stone quarry

Hymettos has been exploited since ancient years for its hard stone. The carves from the hand tools are still obvious.

'Dragon' House of Hymettos

A unique round construction made out of local stone. Because of the material used and the roof formation reminds of the similar, orthogonal however, constructions of South Euboia. It's suspected that through time it had several uses, ceremonial, guarding, residential, but the original exact time and purpose of construction remains unclear.

View of the city from the 'Dragon' House

A friendly turtle

This turtle actually played with us and then even attempted to run behind us down the path.

View of the city

A smaller ancient quarry

Huge piles of stones and steep hand carved cliffs.

A short rest at the quarry

Downhill towards Taxiarchis hill

A dense pine tree forest surrounds the narrow paths all the way down to Taxiarchis hill.

City view from Taxiarchis hill

The city center, Lycabettus and Acropolis hills as viewed from Taxiarchis hill.

Early Christian constructions on Taxiarchis hill

Early Christian and medieval Franc monastery on top of classical antiquities some of which can be seen embedded inside the walls.

Kaisariani monastery

11th century monastery of Kaisariani. The dome of the main temple stands on four genuine Ionian style columns. Antiquity carved marbles are embedded in several parts for decoration purposes. Inside a few cells there are still remains of 11th century drawings.

Analipsis chapel

Another Early Christian construction, still been used for ceremonial purposes.

Entering the path to Kalopoula

View towards Taxiarchis hill and Pireaus

Kalopoula rest area

South-West view

View towards Taxiarchis hill from the North

South-West and South-East view

View from the WWII fort

The WWII fort reconstructed to a fire guarding spot

During WWII Hymettus was totally naked of trees both for the public demand for burning wood and the need of the Germans to observe the East neighborhoods of Athens which where very active in the partisan resistance.

Meeting the main trail downwards

View of the Athens University and the East ring-road of Athens city

The circle is almost complete

One more view of the Athens University and the East ring-road of Athens city.