Chalandri Gully

What I can see

The stream that starts at the foot of Mount Penteli and ends in the former valley of Chalandri, is 6.6 km long and crosses the municipalities of Nea Penteli, Penteli, Melissia, Vrilissia, Amaroussion and Chalandri. The distance from Attiki Odos to the centre of Chalandri is about 2.5 km long and is ideal for walking and running. The section from Chalandri to Kifissias Avenue is covered, and in the area of ​​Filothei it is linked with other streams. Despite the small amount of water, it has lush vegetation and is an active ecosystem. Some of the native plants are pine, reed, eryngium, pistacia, and plane tree. It hosts many birds such as hawks, throstles, grouses, robins, owls, shrubs, carapaces, spines, carders, and parrots. Toads, turtles, darts, water snakes, and other animals belong to the gully’s fauna.

What I can't see

The stream is a protected area and is divided into A and B zones. The A zone concerns the non-alteration of the natural landscape, and the B zone restricts construction and the use of buildings on both sides of the stream. Despite the protection status, Chaladri (or Polydroso) Gully faces challenges related to incomplete fire protection, poor water management, trespassing and arbitrary construction and diseased trees. During antiquity, the water of the stream was used to transfer the marble from Penteli Mountain to the Acropolis for the construction of the Parthenon.

Bibliography