Greece is known to us as one of the cradles of civilization, as the patrimony of many great people, as the source of countless myths and traditions, and, ultimately, as the homeland of a wonderful, cheerful people. And, of course, we can say that it owes its glorious history to the land that sheltered it. This land is very diverse, almost the entire territory of Greece is covered with mountain ranges, interspersed with rare river valleys, the climate changes sharply when changing altitudes, because it is always warm on the sea coast, and on very close mountain peaks all year round there are snow caps. So, let's talk about the most famous Greek mountain, familiar to the whole world.

The highest mountain in Greece, without any doubt, can be called the legendary mountain, or rather one of its peaks - Mytikas, reaching 2919 meters above the sea. Olympus is located on the border between Greece and Macedonia. It consists of more than five dozen peaks with heights ranging from 760 meters to the highest point of 2919 meters. These peaks are cut through by countless ravines, creating beautiful and rather eerie landscapes. The highest mountain in Greece was conquered only in 1913.

Olympus on the map:

The ancient Greeks believed that Olympus was the home of the twelve main gods. Under the leadership of their leader, Zeus, they defeated the Titans, after which the world came to order. The top is always covered with snow, and in clear weather it sparkles under the light of the sun. The length of the ridge is at least 20 kilometers.

Ordinary tourists only climb to the foot, but people with special training will be able to reach highest peak in 6 hours. The base for climbing the mountain and when visiting the reserve is the village of Litokhoron, which is located near the foot.

The territory adjacent to the mountain has been a national reserve for about 75 years. It is known for its rich flora and fauna. There are even relict animals. Here you can find deer, badgers, wild boars, and forest wild cats. Almost 1,700 plants grow on Olympus itself various types. The reserve is rich in birch and oak forests, Macedonian spruce trees. For many centuries, not far from the Dionysius Monastery you can see a unique yew grove.

The name of the mountain has long been a common noun and means something very significant. Thus, even the highest mountain of Mars is called Olympus.

One of the most famous mountains on our planet is Mount Olympus. sacred mountain revered by the Greeks and known throughout the world thanks to Greek mythology, studied in school. Legend says that this is where the gods lived, led by Zeus. Athena, Hermes and Apollo, Artemis and Aphrodite, known from myths, ate ambrosia, which pigeons brought to them from a source 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 accurate to apply the concept of “mountain massif” to Olympus, rather than “mountain”, because it has not one, but 40 peaks at once. Mytikas is the most high peak, its height is 2917 m. It is overtaken by Skala with 2866 m, Stephanie with 2905 m and Scolio with 2912 m. The mountains are completely covered with vegetation of various types, and there are also endemic plants. 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 inaccessible and forbidden. But in 1913, the first daredevil climbed to the highest point of Mount Olympus - it was the Greek Christos Kakalas. In 1938, an area 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, the ancient legend and myth can become a reality for everyone. Ascents to Olympus are organized, not mountaineering, but tourist ones, 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 at warm time year from Litochoro, a town at the foot of the mountain where the tourist information center and hotels are located different levels service. From there you travel to the Prionia parking lot (altitude 1100 m) on foot or by car. The further route is only on foot. The next site is located at an altitude of 2100 m - this is shelter “A” or Agapitos. Here tourists stay overnight in tents or a hotel. The next morning we climb to one of the peaks of Olympus.

At Matikas Peak you can not only take memorable photos and videos, but also sign the journal stored here in an iron box. Such impressions are worth any price for excursions! Upon returning to shelter “A”, the brave souls are presented with certificates indicating their ascent. IN winter time(January-March) there are no ascents to the mountain, but ski resorts begin to operate.

Olympus in the life around us

Unusual stories about the Greek celestials have become so integral to our lives that children, cities, planets, companies, sports and sports are named after the gods and Mount Olympus itself. shopping centers. One such example is the Olympus tourist and entertainment center in the city of Gelendzhik. A 1150 m long cable car from the base of the Markotkh ridge leads to its peak, which tourists call Olympus. It offers stunning views of the bay, lake, dolmen valley and mountains.

The highest mountains different countries such as Hungary, Austria, Greece and Argentina are presented in the table below.

This article briefly describes the highest mountains in different countries of Europe and America. The name and height are given. Some descriptions about their names, locations and more are provided.

Highest mountain in Hungary

Hungary is located 200 meters above sea level, and at the same time it does not have high mountains. The most high mountain Hungary - Kekes. In English it means “bluish” in front. Well, indeed, if you look at the mountain from a distance, it seems bluish.

Mount Kekesh is included in mountain range Matra, being the longest ski slope in Hungary. Its length is about 2 km. The mountain is ideal for beginners. Its height is 1014 meters above sea level. It is located between the cities of Eger and Gyöngyös.

After Lake Balaton and the Danube, Kekes is one of the most popular attractions in Hungary.

The highest mountain in Hungary is Kekes, 1014 meters high.

Highest mountain in Austria

A quarter of Austria is occupied by the ridges of the Eastern Alps, united in chains. The most impressive landmark of the country and at the same time the most high mountain Austria is Grossglockner. This mountain has 2 peaks: Großglockner and Kleinglockner. The height of Grossglockner is 3798 meters, the second peak is slightly lower and reaches a height of 3770 meters. There is a pass between the peaks, and at the foot there is the largest glacier - Pasterze.

The highest mountain in Austria is Grossglockner, 3798 meters high.

Highest mountain in Greece

Known for ancient greek mythology Olympus is the highest mountain in Greece, where 12 gods lived, led by Zeus.

In ancient times, Mount Olympus was the border between two states - Thessaly and Macedonia. Today, the entire area surrounding the mountain range has been declared a national park. Since 1981, the mountain has been recognized as part of the World Natural Heritage and a historical and architectural heritage site by UNESCO.

There are 52 peaks on the mountain, the heights of which vary from 760 to 2917 meters. The highest peak of Olympus is Mitakis, whose height is 2917 meters. The second and third places were taken by the peaks of Scolio, 2912 meters high, and Stefani, 2905 meters high.

The highest mountain in Greece is Olympus, the highest peak of Olympus is Metakis, 2917 meters high.

Highest mountain in Argentina

Aconcagua rises 6962 meters in height and is highest point South America, as well as the entire southern and western hemispheres.

The mountain appeared at the time of the collision of the South American and Nazca tectonic plates. Today the mountain is completely covered with snow. The name of the mountain is translated into Russian as Stone Guardian.

The highest mountain in Argentina is Aconcagua, 6962 meters high.

Summit of Olympus - Mytikas

The highest mountain in Greece is the legendary Mount Olympus, or rather one of its peaks is Mytikas, reaching a height of 2919 meters above sea level. Olympus is located on the border of Greek Thessaly and the Republic of Macedonia. Mount Olympus is not one peak or two peaks, it is about 50 peaks, the heights of which range from 760 to 2919 meters. These peaks are cut by numerous ravines, which create beautiful and terrifying landscapes. The highest mountain in Greece was conquered only 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 higher than the foot of Olympus. However, people with special training can reach the top within 6 hours. The base for climbing the mountain and visiting the reserve is the village of Litokhoron, located near the foot of the mountain.

Olympic Reserve

The area adjacent to the mountain is national reserve since 1938. There is a rich animal here and vegetable world. Some animals are relict. Here you can meet deer, badgers, wild boars, forest wild cat. About 1,700 plant species 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 Dionysius Monastery.

The name Mount Olympus has long become a common noun, meaning something grandiose. Even the highest mountain on the planet Mars is called Olympus.