Olympus
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The Olympus or Mount Olympus (in ancient Greek: Ὄλυμπος; in modern Greek: Όλυμπος, transliterated as Ólympos, «the shining one») is the highest mountain in Greece and the second highest in the Balkan Mountains (after Musala in Bulgaria, 2,925 m), with an altitude of 2,918 m. Located between the Greek regions of Thessaly, near Larissa and Macedonia, it has been a Greek nature reserve since 1938 and a natural heritage site of the European Union since 1981, in its biosphere reserve category.
The first ascent was crowned by the tripartite expedition of Christos Kakkalos, Frédéric Boissonnas and Daniel Baud-Bovy on August 2, 1913.
Geography
The shape of Mount Olympus is due to the erosion of rain and wind, which produced an isolated tower almost 3000 meters above sea level, which is only 18 kilometers away from Litochoro. The mountain has a circumference of 150 km, an average diameter of 26 km, and an area of 500 km². To the northwest is the village of Vlach, of Kokkinoplou. The Makryrema River separates Olympus from the Voulgara massif. The villages Petra, Vrontou and Díon lie to the northwest, while on the eastern side lies the city of Litochoro. On its southeast side, the Ziliana Gorge divides Mount Olympus from the so-called Lower Olympus, while in the southwestern foothills, there are the Sykaminea and Karya peoples. The Agia Triada Sparmou monastery and the Pythion village are located in the west.
The drier foothills of Mount Olympus, known as Xirokampi, are covered in chaparral and provide habitat for animals such as wild boar. Further east, the plain of Dion is fertile and irrigated by rivers and streams that originate in Olympus.
Climate
In general terms, the climate of the mountain can be described as a Mediterranean type with continental influence. Its local variations are the result of the impact of the sea and the rugged relief of the region. In the lower places (Litochoro and the foothills) the climate is typically Mediterranean, that is, hot and dry in summer, while it is humid and cold in winter. As you go up in height, the climate is more humid and severe, with more intense phenomena; in these places it often snows throughout the winter, while rain is not unusual, even in the summer. The temperature varies in the winter from -10 °C to 10 °C and in the summer from 0 °C to 20 °C, while the winds blow strongly almost every day of the year. In general, the temperature drops 1°C for every 200 meters of altitude. As the altitude increases, the phenomena are more intense and the variations in temperature and humidity are often sudden.
Flora
On Mount Olympus there are generally four consecutive but not clearly separated flora zones:
Mediterranean vegetation
At altitudes between 300 and 500 meters the zone of evergreen trees (maquis) occurs. Along with oak and holm oak (Quercus ilex), strawberry tree, laurel, cedar and others. Of the most common deciduous species, the elm and the Montpellier maple stand out, among others.
Deciduous forests
The zone of evergreen trees is gradually replaced by ecosystems of European black pine, which forms compact clusters, without an intermediate zone of deciduous oak and beech forests. On the northern slope of the Xirolakos valley, at an altitude of between 600 and 700 meters, there is a tall oak forest of approximately 125 hectares.
Some gorges and ravines are covered by willow, black alder, and riparian vegetation.
Coniferous forests
The typical species of this area are the Balkan pines. This rare type of pine grows sporadically above 1,000 meters and gradually replaces black pine, while above 1,400 meters it creates almost pure forest. Above 2000 meters, the forest becomes scarcer, reaching 2750 meters, thus creating the highest forest limit (the maximum limit of forest growth) in the Balkans, or even in Europe. Another characteristic of this area is that at more than 2,500 meters the trees appear bushy.
Alpine Tundra
Beyond the Balkan pine forest lies a treeless, alpine meadow region, made up of a mosaic of grassland ecosystems, depending on topography, slope and orientation of the terrain. In general, this alpine flora with more than 150 plant species contains meadows, grassy bogs, alpine scree and granitic rocks.
Wildlife
The fauna of Mount Olympus includes considerable variety and is marked by important, rare, and endangered species.
Historically, diversity was even greater. Large mammals, which previously lived in the region, such as deer, have disappeared. In ancient times there were lions (Pausanias), while at least until the 16th century there were bears.
Currently, 32 species of mammals have been recorded, including ibex (Rupicapra rupicapra balcanica), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), wild boar (Sus scrofa), wild cat (Felis sylvestris), stone marten (Martes foina), red fox (vulpes vulpes) and red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris). 108 species of birds have also been detected (such as the hawk, black vulture, white stork, golden eagle, booted eagle and hoopoe); many of them, particularly birds of prey, are rare. In addition there are the common reptiles of the Greek fauna (22 species such as snakes, turtles, lizards, etc.) and some amphibians (8 species) in seasonal streams and ponds, as well as a wide variety of insects, particularly butterflies.
National Park
Greece's highest mountain was the first region of the country to benefit from protection measures, as the national park was established in 1938. It covers a central area of 40 km² (4000 ha) and a total area of 240 km² (24,000 ha) with the peripheral zone. In 1981, UNESCO classified Mount Olympus as a Biosphere Reserve. It is also registered in the Natura 2000 list of the European Network.
Mythological Olympus
In Greek mythology, Olympus was the home of the Olympian gods, the main gods of the Greek pantheon, presided over by Zeus. The ancient Greeks believed that crystal mansions were built on the mountaintops where the gods lived. Olympus was destroyed after the war of the Gods, and mythology says that when it was destroyed it left two divine traces in the form of a man and a woman, who must come together to give birth to the man child who will give life to Olympus again. The number and identity of the gods that inhabited that Olympus (the so-called "Council of the Gods) seems to be twelve, this being a possible original list:
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Tradition gradually added some that replaced others so that the number of Olympic gods remained stable at twelve. Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Ares, Hermes, Hephaestus, Aphrodite, Athena, Apollo, and Artemis are always considered Olympian gods. Hestia, Demeter, Dionysus, Hades, Persephone, Eros, Kratos, Hebe, Asclepius, Pan and Heracles, after being deified, were the variable gods that completed the dozen.
Hades, who does not have a throne on Olympus, can be included in the list of variables, since, despite being one of the most important gods, his dwelling in the subterranean world of the dead made his relationship with the more delicate olympians. Hestia was one of the twelve Olympians for a long time, although he ended up giving his place to Dionysus because he preferred to reside on Earth than continue on Olympus witnessing the disputes between his brothers. Persephone spent a third of the year in the underworld (thus causing winter) and was allowed to return to Olympus for the remaining months so that she could be with her mother, Demeter.
As in ancient Greece, the word «Olympus» means in Spanish: «the highest among the highest». El Ourea had a daughter with Rhea named Alke
History
In ancient times, the Olympus Mountains formed the border between ancient Thessaly and Macedonia. The history of the surrounding area is therefore of interest in the context of the Rise of Macedon, the Cremonidean War, and the Macedonian Wars during the 4th to 2nd centuries BC. c. In the Ottoman Empire period the mountain was a hideout and base of operations for kleftes and armatols. It was known as Semavatevi in Turkish during the almost 400 years of Ottoman rule.
The second armatoliki, led by Kara Michalis, was founded on Olympus in 1489. The action of the Kleftes on Olympus led the Turks to take their indignation to the Klefte-allied people, Milia, (Pieria) (at the end of the century XVII), which they destroyed. In this period, Livadi on Olympus became the headquarters of the Olympian and Western Macedonian gunships, with their first renowned commander Panos Zidros. In the 18th century the Turks had to replace the armatols (who were often joined with the kleftes) by Muslim Albanian armatols that devastated the fields of Macedonia. However, the Olympian gunships, even after their capitulation to Ali Pasha of Ioannina, never stopped fighting on land and sea. Among those who performed there and in the nearby regions were Nikotsaras, Giorgakis Olympios and the legendary family of Lazaioi. In the early 20th century, even for some time after the liberation from the Ottoman Empire (1912), thieves were active in the region - the best known of them the notorious Giagoulas, while during the German invasion in 1941 the Royal Hellenic Army fought major battles together with units of New Zealanders and Australians. During the German occupation (1941-1944) Mount Olympus was one of the centers of the Greek Resistance, while a little later the Greek Civil War (1946-49) began there, in Litochoro.
Ancient and Medieval Sites
The entire Olympus region of Pieria was declared an archaeological and historical site for the preservation of its monumental and historical character. Five kilometers from the sea is the Archaeological Park of Dion, a sacred city of the ancient Macedonians, dedicated to Zeus and the twelve Olympians. Its prosperity lasted from the s. V a. C. until the s. V d. C. The excavations, which have continued since 1928, have revealed numerous finds from the Macedonian, Hellenistic and Roman times. Currently there is a unique archaeological park of 200 hectares, with the ancient city and the sacred places of worship, outside its walls. Many statues and other priceless objects are kept in the nearby Archaeological Museum of Dion. Pimblia and Leivithra, two other cities in the Olympus region, are associated with Orpheus and the "Orphic" mysteries. According to a tradition, Orpheus, son of Apollo and Calliope (one of the Muses), taught here the mystical ceremonies of worship to Dionysus (also known as Bacchus). Next to the sea, in a strategic position, at the gates of Macedonia is is the Platamon Castle, built between the 7th and 10th centuries AD. C. in the ancient city of Heracleia. To the north lies ancient Pydna. Here, in the year 168 a. C., the decisive battle between the Macedonians and the Romans took place. Between Pydna and Mount Olympus are a Byzantine-era fortified episcopal seat called Louloudies and the Macedonian tombs of Katerini and Korinos.
Christian Monuments
In the Olympus region there are also several Christian monuments, including the highest chapel of Orthodox Christianity, dedicated to the prophet Elijah, in the Greek tradition associated with mountain tops, on the summit of the same name (Προφήτης Ηλίας Profitis Ilias), at 2,803 m. It was built in the 16th century by Saint Dionysus of Olympus, who also founded the most significant monastery in the region. The Ancient Monastery of Dionysios (altitude 820 m) is located in the Enipeas Gorge and is accessible by car from Litochoro. It was looted and burned by the Ottomans and in 1943 it was destroyed by German invaders, who suspected it was a guerrilla hideout. Today it has been partially restored and functions as a dependency of the new Monastery of Agios Dionysios, which is on the outskirts of Litochoro. At the southern foot of Olympus, in a commanding position (820 m asl) in the Ziliana gorge, is the Kanalon Monastery, 8 km from Karya. It was founded in 1055 by the monks Damianos and Joakim and since 2001 it has been restored and functions as a convent. Further west, on the edge of the Mavratza stream, at 1,020 m, is the Monastery of Agia Triada Sparmou, which flourished in the early 20th century XVIII, owned large estates and helped establish the famous Tsaritsani school. It was abandoned in 1932, but in 2000 it was completely renovated and reopened as a male monastery, affiliated with the diocese of Elassona.
Climbing expeditions
Archaeological evidence suggests that Mount Olympus was regularly visited on religious pilgrimages throughout antiquity and the early Middle Ages. For example, ancient Greek pottery, coins and evidence of sacrificial ashes estimated to date back to 400 BC have been found on the summit. Plutarch, writing during the Roman Empire, reported that writings and sacrificial ashes left by priests and religious pilgrims atop the Cyllene and Olympus mountains could be found intact several years later, unwashed by the rains. nor dispersed by the winds. Plutarch cited this as proof that the highest mountains on earth were above the clouds and winds. Augustine of Hippo, writing in the early Middle Ages, similarly reported in On Genesis that "on the top of Mount Olympus, which is said to rise above the zone of this air damp, we are told, certain letters are regularly made in the dust and are found whole and unmarred a year later by those who climb that mountain for their solemn memorials."
The third highest peak of Mount Olympus, called Agios Antonios (Άγιος Αντώνιος «Saint Anthony», 40°04′04″N 22°21′ 04″E / 40.0677, 22.3511, 2,817 m a.s.l.), is known to have been the site of an ancient sanctuary of Zeus based on archaeological finds discovered in 1961. In the modern era, a series of explorers tried to study the mountain and reach its top. Some examples are the French archaeologist Leon Heuzey (1855), the German explorer Heinrich Barth (1862), and the German engineer Edward Richter. Richter tried to reach the top in 1911, but was kidnapped by klephts, who also killed the Ottoman gendarmes accompanying him.
Only one year after the liberation of northern Greece from Ottoman rule, on August 2, 1913, the summit of Olympus was finally reached. The Swiss Frédéric Boissonnas and Daniel Baud-Bovy, aided by a wild goat hunter from Litochoro, Christos Kakkalos, were the first to reach the highest peak in Greece. Kakkalos, who had extensive experience climbing Olympus, was the first of the three to climb the Mytikas. Afterward, and until his death in 1976, he was the official guide to Olympus. In 1921, he and Marcel Kurz reached the second highest summit of Olympus, Stefani. Based on these explorations, Kurz published in 1923 Le Mont Olympe, a book that includes the first detailed map of the peaks. In 1928, the painter Vasilis Ithakisios climbed Olympus together with Kakkalos, arriving at a cave he named Refuge of the Muses , and spent many summers painting views of the mountain. Later, Olympus was photographed and mapped in detail by others, and a series of successful climbs and winter ascents to the steepest summits in difficult weather conditions were carried out.
The climb to Olympus is a non-technical hike, except for the final stretch from the top of Skala to the peak of Mytikas, which is a YDS class 3 rock climb. It is estimated that 10,000 people climb Mount Olympus each year, most of them reaching only the summit of Skolio. Most of the ascents to Olympus start from the city of Litochoro, which took the name City of the Gods due to its location at the foot of the mountain. From there, a road heads to Prionia, where the hike at the foot of the mountain begins.
Other mountains with the same name
There are up to 18 other mountains with the same name, including several on the Greek islands and in the countries of Cyprus, Turkey, New Zealand, and the United States (specifically in the states of Tennessee, Utah, and Washington). This name is also given to a volcano on the planet Mars (Olympus).
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