Mount Olympus has been known to many since childhood, it reminds of the greatness of the gods of Ancient Greece, such as Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Hephaestus, Aphrodite. In ancient myths, this peak is nothing more than the abode of the immortal deities revered by the Greeks. And it is no coincidence that the inhabitants of ancient Greece gave the mountain such a sacred status, the height of Olympus also played a role here. And, undoubtedly, her beauty and majestic impregnability.
Height of Olympus
Mount Olympus in ancient times was completely inaccessible to people, for this reason the Greeks could assume that only gods could live on its top. The question arises: what is the height of Olympus, if she was given such a divine status? Answer: it almost reaches 3 kilometers. It would seem that not so much.
Although the height of Olympus is small compared to other mountain ranges on Earth - 2918 meters, in Greece it is the highest point. Its top is really almost impregnable, since its slopesare sheer cliffs. The entire mountain range consists of several snow-white peaks: Mitikas (the highest of them), Skolio (2912 meters), Stephanie (The Throne of Zeus), Skala, Agios Antonios, Profitis Ilias.
Origin of the mountain
This massif is not part of the mountain systems of the peninsula and currently stands apart. Olympus was formed over a million years and belongs to the Alpine folding. In ancient times, it belonged to the mountain systems of the Balkan Peninsula, and its separation occurred as a result of tectonic processes and the activity of glaciers.
Olympus on Mars
Another mountain with the same name is located on Mars and is recognized as the highest mountain in our solar system. There, the height of Mount Olympus reaches 27 kilometers. It is not even quite a mountain, but a volcano, clearly visible from space. For comparison: the height of Mount Olympus in Greece is only 2,918 kilometers.
Mythology
The height of Mount Olympus in Greece is high enough to rise above the edge of the clouds. According to beliefs, everything above is enveloped in heavenly fire and not a single mere mortal can be there. It was on Olympus that the great Zeus the Thunderer sat on his throne. He is the most important of the pantheon of ancient Greek gods. Together with him was his jealous wife Hera, the goddess of love and marriage. Her jealousy was quite justified, since the Thunderer sometimes kidnapped mortal women who had children from him.
The mortal offspring of Zeus, as a rule, became famous heroes in Ancient Greece,in addition, almost all the gods, except for the brothers Hades and Poseidon, were born from Zeus and other goddesses. But only immortal gods could live on Olympus itself, the entrance to people there was closed. But there were exceptions, Hercules, despite the fact that he was born from a mortal woman, after all the exploits ascended to heaven, reconciled with Hera, and also joined the gods on Olympus. In total, 12 Olympians lived there: Zeus, Hera, Demeter, Hestia, Hephaestus, Athena, Ares, Artemis, Apollo, Aphrodite, Dionysus, Hermes. In the underworld of the dead, Hades ruled, and Poseidon commanded the seas and oceans.
Olympus Outskirts
The city of Dion (in Greek, Zeus), located near Mount Olympus, is now an archaeological site. According to legend, the sons of Zeus, Macedon and Magnet, built a sanctuary for their father there, and settled there. Later, the city of Dion appeared, founded by the king of Macedonia, Archelaus. Temples, theaters and stadiums decorated with sculptures were built here, and roads were paved with paving stones. The city soon became a cultural and religious center comparable to Delphi. Sadly, later, after the death of Alexander the Great, the city was plundered and destroyed by the Romans, and then also by the Turks. Now this ancient city is open for visits, there are attractions such as the temple of Demeter (the goddess of earth and fertility), the bust of Zeus next to the eagle (the place where Alexander the Great announced a campaign against the Persians), the sanctuary of the ancient Egyptian goddess Isis, Roman baths, where the ancient mosaic was preserved.
The city of Litochoro, located at an altitude of 300 meters, unlike Dion, is verywe even live. The tourist road to Mount Olympus passes through it.
First ascent of Mount Olympus
Man first saw the world from the height of Mount Olympus only in 1913, despite the fact that the mountain was known for a long time. Since then, a large number of people have climbed there, and this mountain is still popular.
Therefore, a safe climb to Olympus was specially designed for everyone. But most of the way is on foot, as the terrain is mountainous and difficult.
Tourism
Although the height of Olympus is not so great, this mountain still attracts climbers, rock climbers and just tourists. Some people are interested in steep slopes, others are interested in the mystery and mystery of ancient myths, and still others are in the unique nature of these places.
Now the Olympus mountain range is included in the national park of the same name, which has been operating since 1938, as there are many endemic species of plants and animals. For tourists, the conquest of the height of Olympus begins in the small town of Litochoro (300 meters above sea level). Then you need to reach the first settlement of Prionia (it is also possible by car), where tourists can spend the night in the monastery of St. Dionysius.
Then they go on foot to shelter A, where there is a tent city and a hotel. This place, where tourists stop for the night, is already at an altitude of more than 2000 meters. Then the trail gradually leaves the forest zone, and you can see alpine meadows. First they conquer the most accessible peak - Skala, and only then they reach Skolio and Mitikas. Experienced tourists advise dividing this whole trip into two days, it is difficult to manage to climb Mount Olympus and descend in one day. In addition, in the evenings you can watch beautiful sunsets here.
