The form of Mt Olympus, the multi-faceted and variable charm of its nature, its fog-covered peaks, have inspired the awe and admiration of prehistoric man, thus leading to the creation of legends culminating with the twelve Gods of the ancient Greeks.
The twelve gods live in the gorges, the “folds of Olympus” as Homer describes them – where their palaces are also found. The Pantheon (now Mytikas) is their meeting point, the theatre of their tempestuous debates. The throne of Zeus (now Stefani) is the exclusive home of Zeus, the father of the gods. From there he hurls his bolts of lighting, so that everyone may witness “God’s wrath”. In the Iliad, Mt Olympus is described as huge, long, illustrious and densely forested.
Apart from the mythological elements that come to the minds of visitors with great ease as they are inspired by the landscape, Mt Olympus is also an enchanting place of natural beauty. Each year, thousands of nature-lovers visit Olympus, in order to revel in its attractive nature and enjoy walking up its slopes and conquering its peaks. The picturesque town of Litohoro is the usual starting point, situated on the eastern foothills of the mountain.
Finally, no trip to Mt Olympus can be considered complete, without a stop at the traditional village of Paleos Panteleimonas, that is literally a part of our cultural heritage. The scenic beauty of the village, its well-preserved houses and stony paths are painted by the deep colour of the sea that you can see round every bend, and along every narrow street, nestling below the glory of the gothic castle and the shadow of Olympus.
