Mount Zas

Mount Zas
Mount Zas as seen from the Aria Spring (northwest)
Highest point
Elevation1,001 m (3,284 ft)
Prominence1,001 m (3,284 ft)
Coordinates37°1′50″N 25°30′8″E / 37.03056°N 25.50222°E / 37.03056; 25.50222
Geography
Mount Zas is located in Greece
Mount Zas
Mount Zas
Location within Greece
LocationIsland of Naxos, Greece
Climbing
Easiest routeHike

Mount Zas (Ζας Modern Greek: [ˈzas]), also known as Mount Zeus, is a mountain on the Greek island of Naxos. With a summit of 1,001 m (3,284 ft) above sea level, it is the highest peak in the Cyclades.

The mountain is named after the Greek deity Zeus, with whom its modern name is a cognate.

Description

The mountain overlooks the town of Filoti. Around 628 m (2,060 ft) up the mountain's western slope is Zeus's cave, famous for its connection with the Greek deity Zeus.

There are two main routes to the summit, the easiest of which begins at the Agia Marina chapel. A second, more difficult route, begins at the nearby Aria Spring and passes Zeus's cave.

Mythology

The mountain is associated with the Greek deity Zeus, who is said to have spent his childhood there after being taken from the Ideon Antron cave on Crete.

An ancient rock carving found near the cave on the mountain reads "Zeus Melosios," referring to Zeus as the protector of the sheep.

Nearest places

References

  1. ↑ Nezis, Nikos (2010). Τα ελληνικά βουνά (Τόμος 1) [The Mountains of Greece (Vol. 1)] (in Greek). Athens: Anavasi. p. 286. ISBN 9789608667655.
  2. ↑ "Regional Unit of Naxos, Trail of Historical and Cultural Interest". Archived from the original on June 7, 2026.
  3. 1 2 Zas at Peakbagger.com
  4. 1 2 3 4 Kapsi, Eleni (2013). Naxos Guide (PDF). Translated by Argyropoulos, Zacharias. Municipality of Naxos and Small Cyclades.
  5. ↑ "ToposText, Mt. Zas (Naxos)".
  6. ↑ Zachos, Konstantinos, Zas Cave on Naxos and the Role of Caves in the Aegean Late Neolithic, Sheffield Academic Press
  7. ↑ "Earth Trekkers, Hiking Mount Zas on the Island of Naxos".
  8. 1 2 Kennedy, Jennifer (2019). Encyclopedia of Greece and the Hellenic Tradition. Abingdon: Taylor & Francis. p. 1130. ISBN 9781135942137.