The ancient Greeks inhabited the southern part of the Balkan Peninsula, numerous islands Aegean Sea and the western coastline of Asia Minor. The Hellespont Strait (modern Dardanelles), the Sea of ​​Marmara and the Thracian Bosporus Strait (modern Bosporus) connected the Aegean Sea with the Euxine Pontus (Black Sea). The total area occupied by the ancient Greeks (including the islands) was small, no more than 65,000 km 2.

More than 80% of the entire territory of mainland Greece is covered with mountains. In western Greece mountain ranges For the most part they rise directly from the sea and the coast here has almost no convenient harbors. In the eastern part, mountain arcs facing east stretch across the islands of the Aegean Sea, ending in Asia Minor. The coast here is very indented and forms a number of large and small harbors convenient for anchoring ships. As a result of repeated rise and fall of the land, as well as frequent earthquakes, the regularity of the ridges was disrupted.

The close proximity of mountains and the sea, deep valleys and plateaus located at various altitudes, as well as the strongly dissected coastline make up the most characteristic feature surface of Greece. Although the mountains of the Southern Balkans are not high - the highest peaks do not reach 3 km above sea level - they nevertheless created rocky barriers between individual areas, the center of which was either lowland or plateau. Communication between the regions was maintained along mountain passes or dry river beds. In winter, when snow covered the mountains, economic ties between regions became difficult.

If volcanic activity once gave rise to ideas about Hephaestus, who later became the patron of peaceful craft work, then earthquakes were reflected in the idea of ​​a terrible deity, “earthshaker Poseidon,” who split mountains with a trident and flooded coastal areas with the sea. We know about strong earthquakes both in mainland Greece and on the islands and in Asia Minor. Earthquakes were often accompanied by tidal waves of great force, landslides and landslides.

Even now, vibrations of the earth in Greece, of greater or lesser force, occur almost monthly. The mountains of Greece were once covered with a variety of vegetation. However, many of them, due to lack of moisture, weathering of the soil and predatory farming methods, lost their cover in ancient times.

About 80% of the territory of Greece is occupied by mountains and plateaus. Mostly mountains of medium height dominate: from 1200 to 1800 meters. The mountainous terrain itself is varied. Basically, all the mountains are treeless and rocky, but some of them are surrounded by greenery. The main mountain systems are as follows:

• Pindus or Pindos - occupies the center of mainland Greece, consists of several ridges, and between them there are picturesque valleys;
• the Timfri mountain range, between the peaks there are mountain lakes;
• The Rhodope Mountains or Rhodope Mountains are located between Greece and Bulgaria, they are also called the “Red Mountains”, they are quite low;
• mountain range of Olympus.

These mountain peaks are covered with greenery in places. In some there are gorges and caves.

The most famous mountains of Greece

Of course, the most popular, and at the same time the most high mountain Greece is Olympus, whose height reaches 2917 meters. It is located in the region of Thessaly and Central Macedonia. The mountain is covered with various tales and legends, and according to ancient myths, 12 olympian gods, which was worshiped by the ancient Greeks. The throne of Zeus was also here. Climbing to the top takes about 6 hours. Climbing the mountain reveals a landscape that will never be forgotten.

One of the popular mountains of ancient and modern Greeks is Mount Paranas. The sanctuary of Apollo is located here. Nearby, the site of Delphi was discovered, where the oracles met. Now it's set up here ski resort, there are places for skiing on the slopes, and cozy hotels have also been built.

Mount Taygetos rises above Sparta, the highest points being Ilias and Profitis. The mountain is popularly called “five-fingered” because the mountain has five peaks. From a distance they resemble a human hand, as if someone had put their fingers together. There are multiple paths leading to the top, so climbing up is practically not difficult.

Unlike some Greek mountains, Pelion is covered in greenery. There are many trees growing here and mountain streams flowing through. There are several dozen villages located on the slopes of the mountain.
In addition to these peaks, Greece has the following high points:

• Zmolikas;
• Nije;
• Grammos;
• Gjona;
• Vardusya;
• Lefka Ori.

Thus Greece is the third mountainous country in Europe after Norway and Albania. There are several mountain systems here. Many of them are objects that are conquered by tourists and climbers from all over the world.

All significant myths and legends are associated with Olympus in Greece. This mountain is the highest in the country. Rocky cliffs and mountain peaks of Olympus smoothly flow into the park of the same name. The nature around the Abode of the Gods looks so attractive that it seems as if it was created by the Celestials themselves.

Mount Olympus: description

The height of the Olympus mountain range is 2917 meters. Its three famous peaks: Mytikas, Skolio, and Stefani, are the highest points of the mountain range.

On the northern slope of the Olympic Mountain is the Macedonian sanctuary of Dion. National Park Olympus includes 1,700 species of local flora and approximately 250 species of Greek fauna.

Climbing Olympus today

Previously, no mortal could just climb to Olympus. Today, organized ascents are made there, starting from the local town of Litokhorona.

From a height of 1100 meters there is a walking trail to Olympus. This mark can be reached by taxi or private car. The group climbs from the village of Prionia. There you can also visit the monastery of St. Dionysius.

At an altitude of 2100 meters there are organized parking lots. From there the path leads to Skolio and Mytikas. The road to the top must be climbed during the day; climbing Olympus at night is too dangerous due to unpredictable weather conditions.

« When climbing Olympus, there are rules, which can be found in the information center, so as not to anger the Gods, it is better to follow them strictly».

The Peaks of Olympus were first conquered in 1913. The ascent was made by Christos Kakalas.

Mount Olympus is considered amazing and very beautiful. It doesn't hurt to know the following about it:

• Olympus – native home for the twelve main Greek Gods;
• At Mitikas Peak there is an iron box with a special journal where those who managed to conquer the peak can leave their message;
• Olympus is an object included in the UNESCO list;
• The descendants of the Gods (Greeks) began to call themselves Olympians thanks to the name main mountain Greece.

The Greeks have many myths and legends associated with this mountain. Since Olympus is the cradle of Greek civilization, everything that happens there affects the lives of mere mortals.

One of the myths says that Hades once fell in love with the daughter of Demeter herself and also the goddess of fertility, Persephone. He stole a girl from Olympus. Then prosperity left the mountain, and the first winter came. Zeus tried to bring Persephone back, but she was already married to Hades. Then the Gods made a deal with their underground brother, according to which Persephone would have to spend 9 months on Olympus, and 3 months in the Underground Kingdom with her husband.

Olympus is a cultural heritage of the Greeks, a natural monument and an important historical site. Its landscapes fascinate with their colors and diversity. Climbing Olympus is still considered dangerous, although not prohibited. Previously, people did not have the right to climb the sacred mountain at all unless they received the personal permission of the Gods. Today the Gods have had mercy, and tourist excursions are being organized to Olympus.

The White Mountains and Lake Kourna are one of the most amazing and fascinating places on Earth. The beautiful mountain, two thousand meters high, will force any rock climbing enthusiast to at least try to climb to its peak, covered with white snow. Even from the foot of the snow-capped giant there is an excellent view of the area extending near the mountains, not to mention what can be seen from the top.

Not far from the mountain, Lake Kurna, with a circumference of three and a half kilometers, overflowed. There's talk about this lake a large number of legends, one of which says that this lake has no bottom. However, if you believe the measurements, the maximum depth of this lake reaches 23 meters. When the mountain casts its reflection on the water surface of the lake, everyone will involuntarily admire this delightful spectacle.

White Mountains Levka Ori

The White Mountains (Levka Ori) is a large mountain range 40 km long, with 50 peaks from 2000 to 2253 meters, located in the southwest of the island of Crete.

They got their name from the eternally white peaks of the mountains, in which about 50 gorges are hidden.

If you are going to the mountains, you will definitely need very good physical condition, hiking experience and a very good sense of direction, since the chance of getting lost in these mountains is very high.

Snow covers most peaks until June. The peaks consist mainly of large rocks and gravel, making climbing on the steep slopes very difficult.

Nearby, the southern slopes are covered with greenery - cypress, oaks and pines, while the inland areas have more moisture. The White Mountains are home to rare species animals, birds and reptiles.

Dictey Mountains

Diktean Mountains (another name is Dikti) is a mountain range in the east of the island of Crete, located in the Lassithi region. On the peaks at an altitude of 1024 meters above sea level there is the Dictey Cave.

Dikti is famous for this particular cave - guides bring tourists here from all over the world. This is the most popular tourist site of the island of Crete, famous for the fact that here, according to ancient greek mythology, hid the newborn Zeus from Kronos.

The Diktean mountain range can be reached by donkeys - the area is famous for its steep paths, and the ascent is only possible with animals. There is an entrance fee to the cave; you go down a metal staircase; inside it there is electric lighting, which will allow you to see Zeus’s hideout in detail. From the entrance one can admire the stunning views of the Lassithi Valley.

Dikti Mountains

Dikti is a mountain range in the east of the island of Crete. It is here that the famous Dictaean cave is located, in which, according to the mythical legend, the goddess Rhea gave birth to Zeus. Her husband Kronos had a bad habit - in view of his predicted death from one of his children, Kronos devoured all the offspring that Rhea bore to him. Not wanting to put up with this state of affairs, Rhea hid Zeus in the Dictaean cave.

To get to the Dictaean Cave you need to drive 35 kilometers west from the city of Agios Nikolaos, and then walk more than a kilometer along the foot of the mountain. If you find the climb difficult, you can always rent a donkey. The cave itself for a long time remained an excavation site - many figurines and ceramics dedicated to Zeus were found here.

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 the very high point Mount Olympus - it was the Greek Christ 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.