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OLYMPUS – THE MOUNTAIN OF THE GODS

  Mt Olympus is probably the only mountain which has managed to keep its my thical history since the ancient times.
   When you just face the mountain but mainly when you climb up Olympus you have the feeling that the gods have never left their palaces and that you will meet the Muses somewere                               
   The area around Olympus has been inhabited since the ancient times. The mountain played an important role in the ancient Greek lives; this can be seen from the fact that it was the centre of the Greek religious consciousness and was considered to be the residence of the 12 Olympian gods, the Muses and many other gods and godesses. The ruins of the ancient cities Livithra, Pythio and Dion testify this.
   In the Byrantine Era, Olympus was probably ignosed because it was believed to be the centre of paganism. However during the 400 years when Greece was under the yoke of the Turks the mountain gained its grande ur again. At that time it was the symbol of freedom and the symbol of the Greek National Resistense tache the Turks. Greek partisans (called Klephts and Armatoli) who fought for freedom wsed Olympus as their base of operations and made dushes at the Turkish conwuerors from this mountain.
   Olympus is situated between the prefectures of Larisa and Pieria. It separates Thessalia from Macedonia. It’s the highest mountain in Greece and in height is 2917 m, the peak is called Mitikas. Other peaks are Skolio (2911 m), Stefani (2909 m), Profitis Ilias (2803 m) and others.
  
It has been proclaimed to be a National Sanctuary and it is protected by International treaties. It’s Floru and fauna are uni que. More than 1700 kindes of plants and herbs have been recorded here. 23 of them are found only on Olympus. Furthermore, it’s the natural habital for 32 species of mammuls and 105 species of birds.
   The visitor will experience unfogetable moments when he/she climbs up the mountain. He/she can walk a long lots of paths and admire the wild and imposing beauty of the mountain.
   The easiest acces to the mountain is from the village called Litohoro. There is a road which leads to Stavros (945 m altitude) and from there you can go to Prionia. The longest part of the road is tarred. The visitor takes pleasure in seening magnificent landscapes on the way to the summit.
   At Stavros and Prionia you can have coffe or something to eat. After walking for 5 7 hours along the path E4 from Milous at Litohoro you can reach Prionia. Both the most fastidious climber and a mere walker will be thrilled by the beauty of the path. On the way he/she meets the historic monastery Agios Dionisios.
  
On Olympus there are ewuipped shelters:

  1. Spilios Agapitos – altitude 2100 m – from May to October, it can af fosd shelter to 90 persons. It offers accomodation, food, drinks.

  2. Christos Kakalos – altitude 2650 m – It can afford shelter to 18 persons.

  3. Giosos Apostolidis – altitude 2740 m – capucity 80 persons.

   From these shelters you can set out on excursions to Mitikas.

The climbers and mountaineering club of Litohoro offersgreat help notohly to climbers but to mere visitors as

The climbers and Mountaineering club of Litohoro phone number 2352081800

Reference

“Olympus, the mountain of the god’s” Municipality of Litohoro

Forest Inspection in Katerini

Newspaper "Livadi Olympou"