Othrys
A Natura 2000 protected area has been defined over much, but not all, of the range according to the Birds Directive. Of interest to the government is the protection of the raptors and the prevention of clear-cutting and other settlement measures that would destroy their traditional habitat. The area, named Oros Othrys, Vouna Gkouras kai Farangi Palaio Kerasias, ID GR1430006, includes the eastern range, a spur to the south to cover Palaiokerasia Gorge, and a spur to the north to cover Gkouras Hill.
On February 5, 1991, a Lockheed C-130H Hercules 748 crashed into the mountain, killing 63 people.
Greco-Roman Mythology
In Greek mythology, Mount Othrys was the base of Cronus and Rhea and the other Titans and Titanesses during the ten-year war with the Olympians known as the Titanomachy. It was also the birthplace of the gods and goddesses who are children of Cronus and Rhea: Hestia, Demeter, Hera, Hades, Poseidon, Zeus. It was assaulted by the Olympians against the Othrysians, led by Cronus and Rhea's six sons and daughters. Olympians later overthrew and restored Othrysians and both gained dominion in all of heaven and earth.
Tunnel
Othrys Tunnel (Greek: Σήραγγα Όθρυος) is a tunnel 2.9 km (1.8 mi) long located in the southern section of the A3 (Central Greece) motorway, between Lamia and Xyniada. It passes underneath Othrys mountain. Work began in 2008, along with the rest of the motorway, but stopped in 2011 because of the Greek government-debt crisis. Construction resumed in 2019, along with the rest of the southern section. Its construction has faced challenges. It is the longest road tunnel of the A3, and it will be one of the longest in Greece. The tunnel has already been excavated on both sides, as of October 2021.
References
- ^ Oreivatein.com
- ^ https://worldribus.org/balkan-peninsula/
- ^ "Oros Othrys, Vouna Gkouras kai Farangi Palaiokerasias". European Environment Agency. 2019.. Note that the sometime spelling of the name as Orthys or Orthis is entirely a tongue-twister error, metathesis.
- ^ "Aircraft accident Lockheed C-130H Hercules 748 Volos-Néa Anchialos Airport (VOL)". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
- ^ Hesiod, Theogony 630-631.
- ^ "Athens-Thessaloniki trains suspended following tunnel flooding in Greece". TornosNews.gr. 19 September 2020.
- ^ "Major Railway Projects Funded under CEF 2014-2020" (PDF). Athens: Ergose (Hellenic Railways Organization). 2 December 2016.