Description of the attraction
About 50 km southwest of Athens in the Saronic Gulf is the small volcanic peninsula of Methane, which is part of the Greek volcanic arc. It is believed that volcanic activity in this region began a million years ago. Today, there are many tectonic faults on the peninsula, and this territory is recognized as an earthquake-prone zone.
In general, geologists have discovered more than 30 craters on the Metana Peninsula, most of which have andesite and dacite volcanic domes. The largest volcano on the peninsula has two domes, one of which is still smoked, and its height is 760 meters above sea level. The last large-scale eruption of this volcano was recorded in the III century BC. (written mentions of this are found in Pausanias, Strabo and Ovid) and today he has the status of potentially active. Volcano Metana is the only active volcano on mainland Greece (the rest of the active Greek volcanoes are located on the islands). Its top offers stunning panoramic views of the Saronic Gulf and the picturesque landscapes of the peninsula.
The Methana Peninsula has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Archaeological excavations have uncovered Mycenaean settlements, sanctuaries from the geometric period, two ancient acropolis and many valuable artifacts that can be seen in museums on the island of Poros and in Piraeus.
The closest settlement to the top of the volcano is the small village of Kameni Hora, which means “burnt village”. Local residents are engaged in agriculture, as well as in tourist services. The resort town of the same name is also located on the peninsula, which is famous for its hydrogen sulfide geothermal springs. This is one of the largest thermal spas in Greece.
