PARNASSUS, MOUNT

Modern Greek ros Parnasss, mountain barren limestone spur of the Pindus Mountains, central Greece, running northwestsoutheast on the borders of the nomo (departments) of Phocis, Fthitis, and Boeotia. Rising to a maximum elevation of 8,061 ft (2,457 m) in Mt. Parnassus, within sight of Delphi, it extends to Cape Opus on the Gulf of Corinth. In ancient times Parnassus was sacred to the Dorians and in mythology to Apollo and the Corycian nymphs. On a plateau between the summit and Delphi was the Corycian stalactite cave sacred to the nymphs and Pan. For the Roman poets, Parnassus' Castalian spring was a source of inspiration; they favoured Parnassus over Mt. Helicon as the home of the Muses. Parnassus is rich in bauxite, which is mined and converted into alumina and aluminum at nearby factories. A ski centre was opened above Arachova in 1977.