Mount Olympus has been known to many since childhood, it recalls 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 immortal deities revered by the Greeks. And it is no coincidence that the inhabitants of Ancient Greece gave grief such a sacred status, the height of Olympus played a role here. And, of course, her beauty and magnificent impregnability.
Olympus height
Mount Olympus in ancient times was completely inaccessible to people, for this reason the Greeks could assume that only gods can 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 compared to other mountain ranges on Earth is small - 2918 meters, in Greece it is the highest point. Its top is really almost impregnable, since its slopes are steep cliffs. The entire mountain range consists of several snow-white peaks: Mitikas (the highest of them), Scolio (2912 meters), Stephanie (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 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 of the same name is located on Mars and is recognized as the highest mountain of our solar system. There, the height of Olympus reaches 27 kilometers. It’s not even 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 Olympus in Greece is large enough to rise above it to be above the border of the clouds. According to legend, everything above is enveloped in heavenly fire and not a single 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 the ancient Greek gods. Together with him was his jealous wife Hera - the goddess of love and marriage. Her jealousy was quite fair, as the Thunderer sometimes abducted mortal women in whom children were born 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 on Olympus itself only immortal gods could dwell, people were not allowed to enter there. 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 the Hero, and also joined the gods on Olympus. In total, 12 Olympians lived there: Zeus, Hera, Demeter, Hestia, Hephaestus, Athena, Ares, Artemis, Apollon, Aphrodite, Dionysus, Hermes. In the underworld of the dead, Hades ruled, and Poseidon commanded the seas and oceans.
The vicinity of Olympus
The city of Dion (Zeus in Greek), located near Mount Olympus, is now an archaeological site. According to legend, the sons of Zeus Macedon and Magnet built their father’s sanctuary there, and settled there. Later, the city of Dion appeared, founded by the king of Macedonia, Archelaus. Temples, theaters and stadiums decorated with sculpture were built here, and the roads are 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 such attractions as the Temple of Demeter (the goddess of land and fertility), the bust of Zeus next to the eagle (the place where Alexander the Great announced the campaign on the Persians), the sanctuary of the ancient Egyptian goddess Isis, the Roman baths, where the ancient mosaic has been preserved.
The city of Litochoro, located at an altitude of 300 meters, unlike Dion is very inhabited. A tourist road to Mount Olympus passes through it.
First climb to Olympus
Man first saw the world from the height of Mount Olympus only in 1913, despite the fact that the mountain was long known. Since then, a large number of people have ascended 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 impassable.
Tourism
The height of Olympus, although not so great, but still this mountain attracts climbers, climbers and just tourists. Some are interested in steep slopes, others - the mystery and mystery of ancient myths, and others - the unique nature of these places.
Now Mount Olympus is part of 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 heights of Olympus begins in the small town of Litochoro (300 meters above sea level). Then you need to reach the first settlement of Prionia (you can also by car), where tourists can spend the night in the monastery of St. Dionysius.
Then they set off on foot to shelter A, where there is a tent camp and a hotel. This place, where tourists stay 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 Scolio and Mytikas. Experienced tourists are advised to share this entire trip into two days, for one it is difficult to have time to climb Olympus and go down. In addition, in the evenings you can watch beautiful sunsets.