Troodos Mountains
| Troodos Mountains | ||
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 The Troodos Mountains with the Olympos |
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| Highest peak | Olympos ( 1952 m ) | |
| location | Cyprus | |
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| Coordinates | 34 ° 55 ' N , 32 ° 50' E | |
The Troodos Mountains , also Troodos ( Greek Τρόοδος , Turkish Trodos Dağları ) are located on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus . The highest point is the Olympos - also called Chionistra - with 1952 m. The mountains are of volcanic origin and like the Pentadaktylos - in contrast to the rest of the island - are forested . Even in midsummer there is a pleasantly mild climate in the Troodos Mountains, which is ideal for hiking.
geography
The Troodos Mountains extend in the southwestern interior of Cyprus, between the villages of Pomos and Panagia in the Paphos district and east to Stavrouvouni in the Larnaka district .
In addition to the Olympos - here you can ski in the short season from January to March - the following peaks should be mentioned: Madari (1613 m), Papousta (1554 m), Kionia (1423 m), Tripylos (1362 m) and Kykkos (1318 m) m).
All major rivers in Cyprus have their source in the mountains, including the Diarizos , Ezousa , Gialias and Kouris .
geology
Troodos is the most thoroughly researched ophiolithic mountain range in the world. Like hardly any other mountain range, it has influenced geological theories about the formation of the oceans and the lithospheric plates.
Formed about 90 million years ago at the bottom of a huge ocean, the ophiolithic massif today forms the foundation of the island and thus also of the Troodos. So-called plutonites - products of crystallization from depths of two to six kilometers below the bottom of the primordial ocean - are often found. They include crystals with various mineral components, such as olivine , pyroxene and plagioclase .
Today, spoil heaps testify to the mining industry, which played an important role in Troodos just a few years ago. Asbestos , including at Pani Aminatos, and chromium were mined here until the 1980s.
In 2015 the region of the Geopark was certified with the UNESCO Global Geopark label due to its geological uniqueness .
climate
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Characteristic for the Troodos are relatively heavy rainfall of 700 to 1000 mm per year. In the winter months between January and March, the summit region of Mount Olympus is often covered in deep snow.
Flora and fauna
The mountains are rich in fauna, including eagles , foxes and the last remaining Cyprus mouflons .
In Troodos - the " Black Forest " of Cyprus - the endemic alder-leaved oaks as well as Aleppo pines , pines , plane trees , cedars and holm oaks grow . On the gently sloping edges of the Troodos, the natural flora has been largely replaced by apple , pear , peach , almond and nut trees as well as vineyards .
Villages and monasteries
In the Troodos Mountains there are larger and smaller villages, including Agros , Kakopetria , Kaminaria , Louvaras , Moutoullas , Pedoulas , Phini , Trimiklini and Prodromos , the highest village on the island of Cyprus.
The mountain villages are home to numerous churches, magnificently painted with Byzantine frescoes , some of which are built as barn roof churches . Ten of these churches are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Painted Churches in the Troodos area . There are also several monasteries there. The Kykkos Monastery is the most richly endowed . Also known are Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis , Chrysorrouiatissia and the Trooditissa monastery .
Hiking trails
Four hiking trails for studying nature are signposted in the national park . Signs at the edge of the paths provide explanations of flora , geology and ecology .
- “Artemis” - circular route around Chionistra; about seven kilometers, 2.5 hours
- "Atalante" - from the post office in Troodos to Chrommine; about nine kilometers, 3.5 hours
- "Kaledonia" - from Kryos Potamos to the Kaledonia waterfalls; about two kilometers, 1.5 hours
- "Persephone" - in the area around Makria Kontarka; about three kilometers, 1.5 hours
literature
- Renate Mantovani (translation): Nature trails on Troodos . Ed .: Cyprus Tourist Board in collaboration with the Forestry Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources. D. Couvas & Sons Ltd., 1994, ISBN 9963-44-008-8 .
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ Renate Mantovani (translation): Nature trails on Troodos; D. Couvas & Sons Ltd., 1994; ISBN 9963-44-008-8
- ^ Members of the Global Geopark Network. Global Geopark Networks, accessed May 1, 2017 .