Tourkovounia

Philopappos Hill

.

The Tourkovounia (

Antiquity called Anchesmos (Ἀγχεσμός), is a hill range in Athens, Attica. The name has also been transferred to a neighbourhood in Central Athens and a neighbourhood in Keratsini

.

Tourkovounia means "Turkish mountains". They are so named because of a large Turkish cemetery that existed there during the Ottoman period in Greece.

The Tourkovounia are the tallest and most extensive hill range in central Attica, dividing the Athens basin into eastern and western parts. The range forms the boundary between the municipalities of

municipality of Athens

.

The ancient name, Anchesmos, refers to the sharp peaks of the range, while the modern name is said to derive either from a Turkish cemetery during the

Votive

", but the project was never carried out.

In ancient times, the Greek god

Ancient Greek: Ἀγχέσμιος). There was a statue of him on the hill.^[1]

Today, the Attic Forest, the Youth Center of Galatsi, and the Monastery of prophet Helias are located on the hills. The quarters of Polygono and Panorama Galatsiou are situated on their slopes.

References

^ Pausanias i. 32. § 2

This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Schmitz, Leonhard (1870). "Anchesmius". In Smith, William (ed.). Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology. Vol. 1. p. 167.

[1] Pausanias i. 32. § 2

[1]