CLIMBING THE TOP OF TAYGETOS MOUNTAIN (2407m or 8024ft) by Fotis Papadimitriou

In the evening of July the 19th of 2005, I fullfilled for the first time in my life, the climb at the top of Taygetos Mountain(and also the Top of Peloponnisos), named Profitis Ilias(Prophet Elaias), at the 2407m where there is a small church dedicated to the prophet.On July the 20th is the celebration of Profitis Ilias.We climbed from the Eastern Side of the mountain viewing the town of Sparti, because it is the easiest way!We reached by car the Resort of the Alpine Club(almost at 1580m) of Sparti and from there we followed the mountain track to the top that lasted 3 hours .

1. The Springs of Magganiari at the altitude of 900m. before the Resort.Here ends the asphalt roadway and continous as terrene till the resort.

2. Looking at the mysterious pyramidal top, from the position of "Akonia"

2. The valley of Lakonia from the position of Portes(Doors) at 2200m about 25 minutes walking till the top

3. View of the top from the position of "Portes".

3. Zoom of the top from "Portes".You can discern the worshippers walking up towards Profiti Ilia.

3. Viewing Western, towards Messinia from "Portes".

4. The Top!!!The ruined litlle church of Profitis Ilias(Prophet Elaias)

5. Sunset.The pyramidal top full of legends about its shape, is formed in the valley of Lakonia!!!It's extraordinary!!!

6. Zoom...

7.The entrance of the small church.Noone knows when and who built it!As many times they tried to make a roof so many times they found it without the roof after the winter.The legend says that Prophet Elaias rather prefer living without roof at his church.

8. Boiled goat for dinner...

9. The Messinian Golf. Unfortunatelly the misty weather doesn't let, also the Ionian sea to be veasible.Off course it is veasible from there!!!

10. The custom requires 2 fires during the night with candles and incense!The one in the eastern of Church lighted from the people from Lakonia and the other in the western ,from the people of Messinia.The tops of Taygetos is the natural boarders between Lakonia and Messinia.Lakonia in the East and Messinia in the West of Taygetos!

11. The full Moon really breathtaking at 2407 m at the top of Peloponnisos!

12. Night and it is too cold to sleep there!

13. The mass for the Celebration of prophet Elaias started at 0300am and ended at 0500am!Upon the dusk they take the cover of the small church.All people are in hurry for the climbing down before the sun is getting stronger!!!

14. The sunrise over Parnonas mountain nad the Aegean Sea.

15. The interior of Prophet Elaias

16. The Caravan is going down...

17. We were up there...

18. The Position "Livadia"(Grasslands).We all wished for the next year at the same day to be back again!!!