Mount Grammos Vies for “Europe’s Most Beautiful” Title

Mount Grammos, known in Greece as one of the bloodiest battlefields of the 1946-49 Civil War, places its natural beauty against the more tranquil Danube River for the 2007-2008 title as the most beautiful nature spot in Europe in the EU-sponsored Landscape of the Year contest.

If Mount Grammos wins the distinction, apart from the national pride received, it’s promised extensive promotion, tourism and European Union funding. The final selection will be made in Munich this October.

During a first selection process among eight candidates, the two areas received an equal number of votes cast by the heads of 40 European nature societies.

The Greek society, Group of Friends of Mountains and the Sea, believes Mount Grammos has a good chance of winning as two of its peaks are listed in the EU Natura program. As well, it says the mountain has a brown bear population, a great variety of flora and fauna, the Prespes Lakes and a strong historic context. The annual contest is organized by the International Friends of Nature group.