Pentelicus

Pentelicus, also known as Pentelic Mountain, is a mountain range in the Attica region of Greece, located northeast of Athens. The name is closely associated with Pentelic marble, a white to pale-golden stone quarried on its slopes that became one of the most renowned building materials of classical Greece.

Geography and geology: The range forms part of the eastern Attica highlands, with quarrying on its northern and eastern faces. The marble is celebrated for its fine grain, uniform color, and bright, slightly warm tone, which made it a preferred material for architectural and sculptural work in antiquity. The mountainsides overlook the Athenian plain and the surrounding landscape, and the area features Mediterranean vegetation and historic quarry scars.

Marble and architecture: Pentelic marble has been quarried since at least the early classical period and continued to be used through Roman times. It supplied stone for many monuments on the Athenian Acropolis, including the Parthenon, as well as other temples, sculptural works, and public buildings. The marble’s light color and smooth texture contributed to the luminous appearance of classical architecture in Athens.

Modern status: Today the ancient quarries are primarily of archaeological and geological interest. Remnants of quarrying activity remain visible on the mountain, and the site is studied for its historical significance and its role in the material culture of ancient Greece.