Greece Nominates Mount Olympus As Natural World Heritage Site

Greece has officially nominated Mount Olympus, the mythical residence of the Greek gods, as a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site, the Ministry of Culture and Sports said on Friday.

The preliminary dossier for the nomination was submitted in collaboration with the Greek Environment Ministry and the Natural Environment and Climate Change Organization.

“A symbol name, one of the most recognizable internationally, Olympus, is connected to the mythology of the Greek Dodecatheon, while it stands out for its valuable biodiversity. It is the ideal combination of nature, mythology and history,” commented the Greek Minister of Culture, Lina Mendoni.

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UNESCO’s Natural World Heritage catalogue includes 1155 sites, only two of which are in Greece.

The two Greek locations listed as Natural World Heritage Sites are Agion Oros and the Meteora.

In order to be included, an area must meet a series of criteria related to intangible cultural heritage elements, geological-morphological features, rich biodiversity and the existence of important ecological-biological processes for the evolution of life.

According to UNESCO data, 3,500,000 km2 in over 250 terrestrial and marine sites across more than 100 countries have been added to the catalogue so far.

Olympus, the highest mountain in Greece, situated near the Thermaic Gulf of the Aegean Sea, on the border between Thessaly and Macedonia, 80 km southwest from Thessaloniki, has 52 peaks and deep gorges and counts 23 local endemic plants.

Its highest peak, Mytikas, where the ancient Greeks believed that the 12 Olympian gods lived, rises to 2,917 metres and is one of the highest peaks in Europe.

Although the lions and bears mentioned in the writings of Pausanias and Saint Dionysus the Later became excinct centuries ago, rare and endangered species of animals still live on on the great mountain today.

Therefore, Mount Olympus became the first National Park in Greece, in 1938, and is currently also recognised as a World Biosphere Reserve.

The nomination process for the Natural World Heritage recognition provides that UNESCO should send its feedback on the preliminary dossier for Mount Olympus back to the Greek ministries within the few following months, so that an amended final dossier can be submitted in early 2023.