The former Athenian sanatorium on Mount Parnitha, a haunting remnant of the past, rises from the fire-scarred landscape of 2007 when a wildfire destroyed much of the beautiful mountain.
The sanatorium is just 2km away from the Casino located on the mountain in the northern part of Athens and was built in 1912 by the centrally located Evangelismos Hospital, as an alpine medical facility for the treatment of tuberculosis.
The facility hospitalized many of the TB patients of the Greek capital city, including Greek poet Yiannis Ritsos who spent a year there.
After the discovery of penicillin the existence of the facility was deemed unnecessary and the premises were bought in 1965 by the Hellenic Tourism Organization (EOT), housing firstly a hotel and later being turned into the School of Tourism. The structure was finally abandoned in 1985.
The deserted sanatorium on Parnitha is “haunted”
Nowadays, the view of the deserted building is impressive. It is said that the facility is haunted by tears, pain, blood and death from the people hospitalized in it.
Dozens of myths and legends were created surrounding the run-down sanatorium. Over the years there have been reports about “ghost voices” and shadows dragging themselves through the empty hallways, Satanists holding mystic ceremonies and drug addicts using the grounds to take drugs.
In 2012, a Greek sculptor created artworks carved on burnt tree trunks found on the premises and inspired by the history of the Sanatorium. The “Park of the Souls,” as it’s called, gave life to the trunks, which showcased the emotions of the sanatorium inmates.
“Because history repeats itself and is always more ruthless and cruel than the previous time, I decided to remind the old and teach the younger generations of the human pain associated with these premises,” said the sculptor.
The Public Real Estate Company owns the site and plans to develop it in the future. It has been declared a listed building by the Greek Ministry of Environment, indicating its historical significance.
Mount Parnitha is a densely forested mountain range north of Athens, the highest on the peninsula of Attica, with an elevation of 1,413 m, and a summit known as Karavola. Much of the mountain is designated a national park.
Parnitha’s vast forests act as the “lungs of Athens,” purifying the city’s air and providing a vital green space. The mountain is home to a diverse ecosystem, including rare plant and animal species.
Parnitha offers numerous opportunities for outdoor activities like hiking, biking, skiing, and camping. It’s stunning landscapes, including forests, gorges, and peaks, attract visitors seeking nature and tranquility.