The name and height of the mountains of Greece. Mountains of Greece: geology, climate, hydrography, flora and fauna, characteristics of mountain ranges

The White Mountains and Lake Qurna is one of the most amazing and bewitching places on Earth. beautiful mountain, two thousand meters high, will make any rock climber at least try to climb to its peak, covered with white snow. Even from the foot of the snow-covered giant, there is an excellent view of the area that extends near the mountains, not to mention what can be seen from the top.

Not far from the mountain, Lake Kurna spilled over, with a circumference of three and a half kilometers. About this lake goes a large number of legends, one of which says that this lake has no bottom. However, according to measurements, maximum depth of this lake reaches 23 meters. When the mountain throws its reflection on the water surface of the lake, everyone involuntarily admires this delightful spectacle.

White Mountains Levka Ori

The White Mountains (Levka Ori) is a large mountain range 40 km long, with 50 peaks from 2000 to 2253 meters, located mountain range in the southwest of Crete.

They got their name because of the ever-white peaks of the mountains, in which about 50 gorges lurk.

If you are going to the mountains, you will definitely need a very good physical condition, hiking experience and a very good sense of orientation, as the chance of getting lost in these mountains is very high.

Snow covers most of the peaks until June. The peaks consist mainly of large stones and gravel, which makes climbing the steep slopes very difficult.

Nearby, the southern slopes are covered with greenery - cypress, oaks and pines, while the hinterland has more moisture. The White Mountains are home to rare species of animals, birds and reptiles.

Dikteian mountains

Dikteysky mountains (another name - Dikti) - mountain range in the east of Crete, located in the area of ​​Lassithi. On the peaks at an altitude of 1024 meters above sea level is the Dikteyskaya cave.

Dikti are known for this particular cave - guides bring tourists from all over the world here. This is the most popular tourist facility islands of Crete, known for that here, according to ancient Greek mythology, hid the newborn Zeus from Kronos.

The Dikteysky mountain range can be reached by donkeys - the area is famous for steep paths, and the ascent is possible only on animals. The entrance to the cave is paid, they go down there along a metal staircase, inside it there is an electric light that will allow you to examine in detail the refuge of Zeus. At the entrance, everyone can admire the stunning view of the Lassithi Valley.

Dikti Mountains

Dikti is a mountain range in the east of Crete. It is here that the famous Dictean Cave is located, in which, according to the mythical legend, the goddess Rhea gave birth to Zeus. Her husband Kronos had a bad habit - in view of the predicted death from one of his children, Kronos devoured all the offspring that Rhea gave birth to him. Not wanting to put up with this state of affairs, Rhea hid Zeus in the Dictean cave.

To get to the Diktea cave, you need to drive 35 kilometers west from the city of Agios Nikolaos, and then walk more than a kilometer along the foot of the mountain. If the climb seems difficult to you, you can always rent a donkey. The cave itself remained an excavation site for a long time - many figurines and pottery dedicated to Zeus were found here.

You lower your eyes and suffocate with delight - around snow-capped peaks, tall pines, or alluring azure, lying at the foot of the sea.

The most high mountain in Greece it is Olympus, which is located in Thessaly. Many of us are familiar with it from ancient Greek mythology. If you remember, it was on Olympus that the gods of the Greeks lived, and this myth was born for a reason. The height of this mountain range reaches 2917 meters. It is the array, because of this, all the confusion occurs, since most often, the most high mountain Greece is called Mitikas, but this is not a mountain in itself, but just one of the peaks of the Olympic mountain range. Its height reaches 2919 meters, the next highest peaks are Skolio, height 2912 meters and Stephanie 2909 meters. Mount Olympus is not one peak or two peaks, it is about 50 peaks, the height of which ranges from 760 to 2919 meters. These peaks are cut by numerous ravines that create the most beautiful and awesome landscapes. The highest mountain in Greece was only conquered in 1913.

According to researcher Richard Onians, the legendary ambrosia - the food of the Olympian gods, giving them youth and immortality - is the divine equivalent of olive oil. So every Greek could taste the divine food.

In ancient times, the Greeks believed that twelve main gods lived on Mount Olympus, who, under the leadership of the main god Zeus, crushed the titans, and after that order reigned in the world. Olympus, in addition to serving as the abode of the gods in ancient times, also performed another function. served natural boundary between Macedonia and Greece. Over time, the mythology of the ancient Greeks changed a little and Olympus began to be called not only the mountain, but the entire sky above Greece, in fact, the ancient gods now lived there.

In ancient Greek mythology, Olympus is a sacred mountain, the seat of the gods, led by Zeus. Olympus is a mountain in Thessaly, where the gods live. The name Olympus is of pre-Greek origin (possible connection with the Indo-European root "rotate", i.e. an indication of the roundness of the peaks) and belongs to a number of mountains in Greece and Asia Minor. On Olympus are the palaces of Zeus and other gods, built and decorated by Hephaestus. The gates of Olympus open and close the Oras as they ride out in golden chariots. Olympus is thought of as a symbol of the supreme power of a new generation of Olympian gods who defeated the titans. Initially, Olympus (it is not known which one) was occupied by the serpentine titan Ophion and his wife, the oceanid Eurynome. Cronus and Rhea liked this place, and they occupied it, expelling Ophion and Euryne, who had taken refuge in the ocean. Kronos and Rhea were expelled from Olympus by Zeus. The gods lived carefree and fun.

The Flemish painter Peter Rubens painted The Feast of the Gods on Olympus. The researchers could not determine the exact date of its writing until the astronomers saw the picture. They found that the characters were positioned exactly like the planets in the sky in 1602.

The gates of Olympus were guarded by the virgin goddesses of the time, the Ora. Neither animal nor man could wander there. Gathering together, the gods and goddesses feasted, enjoying ambrosia, which returned strength and gave immortality. They quenched their thirst with fragrant nectar. Nectar and ambrosia were carried to the gods and goddesses by the young handsome Ganymede. There was no shortage of entertainment on Olympus. To delight the hearing and sight of the celestials, the white-footed Charites, goddesses of eternal joy, holding hands, led round dances. Sometimes Apollo himself took up the kithara, and all nine muses sang along with him.

If music, songs and dances bothered, it was possible from the height of Olympus. look at the ground. The most fascinating sight for the gods was the war that flared up here and there. The inhabitants of Olympus had their favorites. One sympathized with the Greeks, others with the Trojans. Sometimes, seeing that the wards were being crowded, then one or the other god left the place of observation and, descending to the ground, entered into battle. Entering into a rage, the combatants did not see the difference between mortals and celestials. Then the gods had to take flight, clutching the flowing streams of colorless fragrant blood with their palms.

As the Greek myths say, the gods, having settled on Olympus, agreed that it does not belong to any of them, and decided not to choose a ruler. But soon Zeus and his brothers and sisters seized power: Poseidon, Hades, Hera, Hestia and Demeter. Zeus, the supreme god, was the youngest of them in age.

Subsequently, when people ancient world learned more about the universe, by Olympus they began to understand not one mountain, but the whole sky. It was believed that Olympus covers the earth like a vault and the Sun, Moon and Stars wander through it. When the Sun was at its zenith, they said that it was at the top of Mount Olympus. Thought that in the evening when it passes through west gate Olympus, i.e. the sky closes, and in the morning it is opened by the goddess of the dawn, Eos.

Now the entire massif is a nature reserve. Visiting which you can see rare representatives of the Greek flora and fauna, and from the mountain itself offers a stunning view of Greece. Many tourists want to visit this ancient monastery gods. However, getting to the top itself will not work because of the English military radar installed there.

In 1938 Olympus was declared national reserve, more than 1700 species of plants and animals that grow and live only here, make up the unique ecosystem of this mountainous area. Protected by UNESCO since 1981. Since 1985 it has been declared an archaeological monument.

The holy martyr Neophyte lived in a cave on the slope of Mount Olympus. At the age of 15, he came to the mountain for a white dove. A huge lion lived in the cave, but, having heard the words of the Neophyte, he obeyed him and went to another place. Neophyte lived in this cave until the time of his martyrdom, when he was ordered to be killed by the ruler Decius.

In 1961, a temple of Zeus was discovered on one of the peaks of Agios Antonios, dated from the Hellenistic to the late Christian period. The remains of sacrificial animals, coins, statues were found. Also in various places were discovered the temple of Delphic Apollo and the ancient tomb of Orpheus. The Temple of Apollo is located at an altitude of 1000 meters, and it is known that it was from there that Xenagoras, using a telescope and geometric calculations, determined the height of Olympus at 2960 meters, which is not so far from the truth. A few hundred meters from Shelter A there is an exit to the monastery of St. Dionysius, built by himself and dated 1542. During all the time it was destroyed more than once, but the greatest damage was done during the Second World War.

Over the next 60 years was in the process of reconstruction. More precisely, individual buildings were reconstructed, but the dilapidated ancient walls were preserved intact, reminiscent of the fact that, unfortunately, the evil of war penetrated even into the sanctuary of antiquity. It is interesting that to this day, it is active, so the monks ask visitors to be appropriately dressed, as indicated by the sign at the entrance. A 20-minute walk across rough terrain is a sacred cave, apparently, the saint originally lived there. The place is secluded and conducive to meditation. Along the way, there is a mountain river, in which it is forbidden to swim and pollute it, since the water there is drinkable, cold and tasty.

Words, words... Words are empty unless confirmed by our main source of information - sight. The places are really amazing. Even if you are not touched by the idea that thousands of years ago people devoted their lives to the gods living on Olympus, even if the very existence of these mountains long before us and long after us does not inspire awe, nevertheless, nature here can delight the most captious person. Beauty is beyond competition, it envelops.

Mountains of Crete

• Ida
  The highest mountain in Crete (2456 m). Located in the central part of the island. The Ida mountain range includes five peaks: Timios Stavros (2456 m), Agathias (2424 m), Stolistra (2325 m), Voulumenu (2267 m) and Kusakas (2209 m). To the east of Ida is the Nida plateau, the lowest point of which is located at an altitude of 1412 m. In the western part of the plateau is the entrance to the famous Idean cave, where, according to ancient Greek mythology Zeus grew up. Many historical values ​​were found in it, including bronze shields of the 7th century BC. e. On the southern slope is the cave of Kamares, where the famous Minoan vessels were discovered, called "Kamares vessels". Some of them are exhibited in Archaeological Museum Heraklion. The stony slopes of Ida are covered with a sparse cover of prickly shrubs, bushes and hard grasses. On the eastern slopes of the mountain, patches of forests have been preserved that once covered the entire territory of Crete. The Ida mountain range is especially rich in flat stones, which are well suited for the construction of mitato shepherd's huts. To the north- western slope the famous monastery of Arkadi is located.
• Lefka Ori
  Mountain range in the western part of the island of Crete. Administratively, it is part of the Chania region. Translated from Greek name The ridge is translated as "white mountains", which is associated with snow covering the mountains until the beginning of summer: precipitation here falls almost exclusively in winter.
• dikty
  A mountain range located in the eastern part of the island of Crete. It is administratively part of the municipality of Lasithi. The highest peak of the ridge - Spafi Peak - reaches a height of 2148 m above sea level. Two more peaks exceed 2000 m: these are Afentis Christos (2141 m) and Lazaros (2085 m). In the Dikti Mountains there is the Diktea Cave, also called the Psychro Cave, in which, according to ancient Greek mythology, Rhea hid the newborn Zeus from Kronos.

Gorges of Crete

Caves of Crete

• Dicteian cave
  A cave located in the Diktian mountains above the Lasithi plateau, Crete, Greece. Located at an altitude of 1024 meters above sea level. It is one of the popular attractions of Crete. For promotional purposes, it is often referred to as the Cave of Zeus.
• Idean cave
  Cave system located on the slopes of Mount Ida, Crete, Greece. The only entrance to the cave is at the level of 1538 meters. The descent into the cave is equipped with a wooden staircase built into the rock.
• Cave of Gerospilos
  Located within the nome of Rethymnon on the island of Crete. Mentioned in ancient mythology and is of archaeological interest. Associated with the heroic and, at the same time, tragic episode of the Greek Revolution.

pind

• pind
  Mountains in the West of the Balkan Peninsula, in the northern part of Greece and in Albania (northern foothills). The largest mountain system in Greece. Located between Thessaly and Epirus, southwest of the Bora Dag ridge. They consist of several ridges separated by deep river valleys. They stretch from north to south for a distance of about 200 km. The height is more than 2000 m, the highest point is Mount Zmolikas - 2637 m. They are composed mainly of limestone, shale, sandstone and flysch. Developed karst. Pindus serves as a watershed in the southern part of the Balkan Peninsula between the basins of the Aegean and Ionian Seas, from Lake Ohrid to the south. southern part Pinda occupies the mountainous region of Agrafa. On the slopes of Pindus there are subtropical (Mediterranean) shrubs, mixed and coniferous forests. National parks: Pindus and Vikos-Aoos.
• Vikos-Aoos
  national park in the mountains of Pindus, in the northeast of the Greek district of Epirus, the nome of Ioannina. The park was founded in 1973 and has an area of ​​126 km², including the Vikos canyon, the Aoos gorge, Mount Timfti (the highest peak is Gamila, 2497 m) and several villages from Zagora. To the south of the park is the city of Ioannina, to the northeast - the cities of Kastoria and Kozani. Dragon Lake and Gamila Peak. The Vikos Gorge is the deepest in the world, according to the Guinness Book of Records. The canyon, along the bottom of which the Voidomatis River flows, is 12 km long and 1 km deep. In the north national park near the city of Konitsa, the river Aoos flows, which then, under the name Vyosa, flows through the territory of Albania, flowing into the Adriatic Sea. Another deep canyon, located in the Balkans - the canyon of the Tara River in Montenegro.
• Viosa
  A river in northwestern Greece and southeastern Albania. The total length is 280 km, 70 of which are in Greece. The area of ​​the basin is 6.6 thousand km², high water in the river is observed from October to May, while in summer Vyosa is low-water.
• Grammos
  Mountain in Greece. It is located in the north-west of the country in the Pindus mountains, near the border with Albania. The fourth highest peak in Greece. The height of the peak is 2523 m above sea level. Its length is about 15 to 20 km, and its width is about 15 km.
• Zmolikas
  Mountain in Greece. It is located in the northwest of the country in the mountains of Pindus. The second highest peak in Greece after Mount Olympus. The height of the peak is 2638 m above sea level. Two national reserves adjoin the mountain. Its length is about 15 to 20 km from east to west, and its width is about 10 km from north to south. On the western slope of Zmolikas one of the lakes of the Alpine type Drakolimni is located.
• Parnassus
  sacred mountain in Greece (in Phocis), associated, like Olympus, Helicon, Kitheron, with mythical tales and known for its location at its foot Delphic oracle. In a broad sense, Parnassus means Mountain chain, starting from Eta and heading southeast, as the border of Locris and Boeotia with Phokis; this mountain range reaches the very Corinthian Sea, under the name Kirfis (now Sumalies). Its highest point is the Delphic Parnassus, with the peaks of Tiforei and Lykorea (now Liokura, 2459 m), as a result of which it is called two-peaked. Parnassus is covered with forest, and its peaks are covered with snow. At the Delphic temple there were many gorges and cliffs; here was the famous Kastal spring, dedicated to Apollo and the muses, as a result of which Parnassus itself was considered the seat of the muses.
• Timfi
  Mountain in Greece. It is located in the western part of the country, in the prefecture of Yanina. The sixth highest peak in Greece. Has three peaks. The height of the highest peak is 2497 m above sea level. Its length is about 20 to 25 km from east to west and its width is about 15 km from north to south. On the slope of Timfi there is one of the lakes of the alpine type Drakolimni.

Mountains

• Agrafa
  Mountainous region and historical region in mainland Greece. Covers the territory of Evrytania and Karditsa nomes. Is southern part mountain system Pind. There is also a municipality with the same name, but it covers only a few most areas.
• Ataviros
  Mountain on the island of Rhodes. Located in the western part of the island. The height of the peak is 1215 m above sea level. Ataviros is the highest point of Rhodes. A radar is installed on the flat top, it belongs to the PHARAOS network and is designed to control air traffic. Also there are windmills for generating electricity and the ruins of the temple of Zeus. The summit can be reached via a dirt road. The slopes and the peak are covered in places with shrubs and grasses.
• Athos
  The name of the mountain (height 2033 m) and the peninsula of the same name in Macedonia in the north Eastern Greece, also known as the "Holy Mountain".
• Belasitsa
  Small mountain range. The highest point is Mount Radomir (2029 m), located on the border of Bulgaria and Greece. The array itself is located on the territory three countries: Greece (45%), Macedonia (35%) and Bulgaria (20%). The ridge is about 60 km long and up to 9 km wide.
• Vardusya
  Mountain in Greece. Located in the central part of the country. The seventh highest peak in Greece. It consists of three groups of peaks, northern, western and southern. The height of the highest peak is 2495 m above sea level. Near the mountain, work is underway to extract bauxite.
• Helicon
  Mountain in Boeotia (Greece), not far from the Gulf of Corinth. Height - 1749 meters. On the western slope of the mountain is the Orthodox monastery of Osios Loukas, included in the number of objects world heritage UNESCO.
• Gjona
  Mountain in Greece. It is located in the central part of the country, between the mountains of Parnassus and Vardusya. The fifth highest peak in Greece. The height of the peak is 2510 m above sea level. Near the mountain, work is underway to extract bauxite.
• Imitos
  A mountain located in the east of the capital of Greece, Athens. The summit reaches 1026 meters.
• Kaimakchalan
  It is the highest point on Mount Nije. Altitude 2,521 meters above sea level. Located on the border of the Republic of Macedonia and Greece. The peak is covered with bare rocks.
• Kyllini
  Mountain in Greece. Located in the central part of the country. The height of the peak is 2374 m above sea level. The second highest mountain on the Peloponnesian peninsula. Covered in pine and spruce forests up to a height of 1800 meters. The top is practically devoid of vegetation. According to legend, Hermes was born on this mountain.
• Cynoscephalos
  A range of several rocky hills with steep slopes, of which two are most prominent, located in the central part of the Greek historical area Thessaly, near ancient city Scotus, now defunct. The hills got their name because of the characteristic outlines resembling the heads of dogs.
• Kiteron
  Mountain range in Greece. The highest point is Mount Profitis Ilias, 1409 m. On the northern slopes of the ridge there are numerous sources of the Livadostras River, and on the southeastern slopes - the Sarandapotamos River.
• Lakmos
  Mountain in Greece. It is located in the western part of the country, in the prefecture of Yanina. Has several peaks. The height of the highest peak is 2295 m above sea level. Its length is about 30 km and its width is about 25 km.
• Lycabettus
  Mountain in the center of the city of Athens, the capital of Greece. Height is about 300 meters above sea level. The mountain is famous for the Byzantine church located on it - St. George. Its construction (XI-XII centuries) was associated with the strengthening of the power of the Byzantine Empire and Christianity as a result of the Balkan military campaigns of Emperor Basil II.
• Parnita National Park
  Mountain range north of Athens with total area about 300 sq. km. It belongs to the highest peak in Attica Karabola with a height of 1413 m. Most of the ridge is covered with dense coniferous forests: at the foot mostly pine, closer to the top - spruce. Most of the winter the mountain is covered with snow.
• nije
  Mountain on the border between the Republic of Macedonia and Greece. The highest point of the mountain is called Kaymakchalan (2.521 meters). By the name of this point (Kaymakchalan) the mountain itself is often called, this is especially common in Greece.
• Olympus
  The highest mountain range in Greece (2917 m). National park. The mountain is located in the northeast of Thessaly. In ancient times, it served as a natural border between Thessaly and Macedonia. The three highest peaks of Mount Olympus are called Mitikas (2917m), Skolio (2912m) and Stephanie (2905m). In ancient Greek mythology, Olympus is a sacred mountain, the seat of the gods, led by Zeus. Due to this, Greek gods often referred to as "Olympians". On the northern slope was the sanctuary city of the Macedonians - Dion, that is, the city of Zeus.
• Ossa
  The mountain peak of Thessaly, separated from Mount Olympus by a narrow river valley. According to legend, the mountain is the birthplace of centaurs, mythical creatures of demi-humans.
• Oh and
  Mountain in the southeast Greek island Euboea. Located in the prefecture of Ebia, near the city of Karystos, 30 km east of the city of Chalkis. Max Height mountains 1372 m. The mountain and its surroundings are known to the ancient megalithic buildings, which are on local language referred to as the dragonspite.
• Parnon
  Mountain range in Greece. It is located in the southeast of the Peloponnese peninsula. The length is about 100 km, the height is up to 1935 m. The eastern slope is steep, the western slope is gentle. The slopes are covered with shrubs. Pine and fir forests grow on the peaks.
• Pelion
  A mountain in the southeast of Thessaly, between the Bebeian lake, the Pagasian Gulf and Aegean Sea. On this mountain and in its vicinity, many events of Greek myths unfold.
• Pentelikon
  A mountain in Greece with a height of 1,109 m, located 23 km northeast of Athens. About 60-70% of its surface is covered with forests.
• Rhodopes
  Mountains on Balkan Peninsula, in Bulgaria (83%) and Greece (17% of the array). The Rhodope area is 14,737 km², of which 12,233 km² belong to Bulgaria (mainly in the Kardzhali and Smolyan regions). The massif is about 220 km long, 100–120 km wide, average height above sea level - 785 m.
• Taygetos
  Mountain range with a length of 75 km. The highest point is 2404 m, Mount Agios Ilias (Rus. St. Elijah). Located in the Balkans in Greece in the south of the Peloponnese peninsula. It consists mainly of crystalline schists and limestones. The highest peaks are covered with snow in winter. On the eastern slopes is the city of Sparta.
• Timfristos
  A mountain in the central part of Greece, in the territory of the nome of Evrytania. Height - 2315 m. It is part of the Pindus mountain range. It is located 12 km from Karpenision, the capital of Evrytania.
• Falakro
  Mountain in Greece. Located in the north of the country. Has several peaks. The height of the highest peak (Elias Profitis) is 2232 m above sea level. It is the highest mountain in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace. At an altitude of 1700 m is located ski resort open in winter time. It is located just above the Volaka village.
• Enos
  Supreme Mountain peak Kefalonia islands in Greece. Its height is 1628 m. Most of the mountain range has legal status national park.
• Erymantos
  Mountain in Greece. Located on the Peloponnese peninsula. Has several peaks. The height of the highest peak (Olenos) is 2224 m above sea level. The fourth highest mountain in the Peloponnese. The slopes are covered with forests, usually mountainous, up to a height of 1000–1600 m, alpine meadows and rocky wastelands are located higher.

Mount Olympus - Mitikas

The highest mountain in Greece is legendary mountain Olympus, or rather one of its peaks - Mitikas, reaching a height of 2919 meters above sea level. Olympus is located on the border of the Greek Thessaly and the Republic of Macedonia. Mount Olympus is not one peak or two peaks, it is about 50 peaks, the height of which ranges from 760 to 2919 meters. These peaks are cut by numerous ravines that create the most beautiful and awesome landscapes. The highest mountain in Greece was only conquered in 1913.

In ancient times, the Greeks believed that twelve main gods lived on Mount Olympus, who, under the leadership of the main god Zeus, crushed the titans, and after that order reigned in the world.

Climbing Olympus

The top of Olympus is covered with snow all year round, and when the weather is clear, it sparkles in the sun. The length of the ridge, which includes Mount Olympus, is 20 kilometers.

Ordinary tourists do not rise above the foot of Olympus. However, people with special training can reach the summit within 6 hours. The base for climbing the mountain and visiting the reserve is the village of Litohoron, located near the foot of the mountain.

Olympic Reserve

The area adjacent to the mountain has been a national reserve since 1938. Here is a rich animal and vegetable world. Some of the animals are relics. Here you can meet deer, badgers, wild boars, forest wild cats. About 1700 species of plants grow on Mount Olympus. There are birch and oak forests, groves of Macedonian spruce. For many centuries, a unique yew grove has been growing in the vicinity of the monastery of Dionysius.

The name of Mount Olympus has long become a household name, denoting something grandiose. Even the highest mountain on the planet Mars is called Olympus.

One of the most famous mountains on our planet is Mount Olympus. The sacred mountain is revered by the Greeks and is known throughout the world thanks to Greek mythology, studied at school. The legend says that it was here that the gods, led by Zeus, lived. Athena, Hermes and Apollo, known in myths, Artemis and Aphrodite ate ambrosia, which pigeons brought to them from a spring in the garden of the Hesperides. In Greece, the gods were not considered fictional soulless characters, on Olympus (in Greek the name of the mountain sounds like “Olympus”) they feasted, fell in love, took revenge, that is, they lived with completely human emotions and even went down to earth to people.

Description and height of Mount Olympus in Greece

It would be more correct to apply the concept of “mountain range” to Olympus, and not “mountain”, because it rises not one, but 40 peaks at once. Mitikas is the most high peak, its height is 2917 m. It is overtaken by Skala from 2866 m, Stephanie from 2905 m and Skolio from 2912 m. The mountains are completely covered with vegetation of various species, and endemic plants are also found. The tops of the mountains are covered with white caps of snow most of the year.

Until the beginning of the 20th century, people were afraid to climb mountains, they considered them impregnable and forbidden. But in 1913 the first daredevil climbed the most high point Mount Olympus - it was the Greek Christ Kakalas. In 1938, the territory on the mountain of almost 4 thousand hectares was declared a national natural park, and in 1981 UNESCO declared it a biosphere reserve.

Climbing Olympus

Today ancient legend and the myth can become a reality for everyone. Ascents are organized to Olympus, and not climbing, but touristic, in which people who do not have sports training and climbing equipment. Comfortable and warm clothes, two or three days of free time, and the sights from the picture will appear before you in reality.

Although you can climb Olympus on your own, it is still recommended to do this as part of a group, with an accompanying guide-instructor. Usually the ascent begins in the warm season from Litochoro, a city at the foot of the mountain, where the information tourist base and hotels different levels service. From there there is a transfer to the Prionia parking lot (height 1100 m) on foot or by car. Then the route is only on foot. The next stop is located at an altitude of 2100 m - this is shelter "A" or Agapitos. Here tourists stay for the night in tents or a hotel. The next morning, an ascent to one of the peaks of Olympus is made.

At Matikas Peak, you can not only take memorable photos and videos, but also sign the magazine stored here in an iron box. Such impressions pay off any prices for excursions! Upon returning to shelter "A", the brave souls are awarded certificates indicating their ascent. In winter (January-March), climbing the mountain is not made, but ski resorts begin to work.

Olympus in the life around us

Unusual stories about the Greek celestials have entered our lives so much that the names of the gods and Mount Olympus itself are called children, cities, planets, firms, sports and shopping centers. One such example is the Olimp tourist and entertainment center in the city of Gelendzhik. cable car 1150 m long from the base of the Markoth Range leads to its peak, which tourists call Olympus. It offers stunning views of the bay, lake, dolmen valley and mountains.