Greek authorities have stepped up efforts to ensure that Mount Olympus, the country’s highest peak at 2,918 meters above sea level, receives UNESCO world heritage status.
Described by Homer as the “seat of the immortals,” Olympus is steeped in myth, history, and natural beauty.
The mayor of Dion-Olimp, Evangelos Geroliolios, recalled his first ascent decades ago.
“I’ve never forgotten that unique feeling up there on Zeus’ throne. It’s an extraordinary place, fused with myth, beauty and the weight of history.”
The World Heritage Committee is expected to discuss Greece’s nomination at its 48th session in Busan, South Korea, with a final decision expected on July 29.
Greece first proposed the inclusion of the mountain in the list in 2014, emphasizing its cultural and environmental importance.
Mount Olympus was declared a national forest in 1938, while in 1981 UNESCO recognized it as a biosphere reserve.
In 2021, a presidential decree declared it a national park, strengthening its protection.
The mountain’s popularity has grown significantly in recent years, with around 500,000 visitors recorded last year alone.
This interest has also increased after the release of the film “Odyssey” by Christopher Nolan, inspired by Homer’s epic and partially shot in Greece.
However, the growth of tourism brings risks. Dimitris Pappas, deputy director of the national park’s management agency, warned that the biggest threat to the area is forest fires exacerbated by climate change.
“They can be avoided with additional funding for protective measures, clearing trails and building shelters,” he said.
In addition to the mythological importance, Olympus also has religious values. On one of the lower peaks an open-air sanctuary has been discovered, mentioned by Plutarch in the second century AD, where sacrifices were made to Zeus. The mountain is also home to the highest shrine in the Orthodox world, with Byzantine monasteries and places of worship scattered across its peaks.
Foreign tourists have described the world heritage status as well-deserved and overdue. “It’s not just a good idea, it’s the best idea,” said Lenka Hotmarova, a visitor from the Czech Republic.
However, UNESCO’s advisory bodies have requested further details, suggesting that the nomination be returned to Greece for completion. This has increased concerns about the balance between tourism and environmental protection.
“Olympus’ carrying capacity has reached its limit,” Geroliolios said. “Designation as a world heritage site would place greater responsibility on us, but even if we fail, there is no time to lose. Further safeguards must be taken.”
