Olympus, the highest mountain in Greece, with its tallest peak “Mytikas” (meaning “nose” in Greek), appears to touch the sky as it rises to an impressive 2,917.727 metres (9,572.60 ft). It is the second-highest peak in the Balkans, after Mount Rila in Bulgaria. Since ancient times, Olympus has inspired awe, drawn explorers and pilgrims, and sparked myths and legends, as it was long believed to be the sacred dwelling of the twelve Olympian gods.
The first known reference to Mount Olympus appears in the 8th century BC, by the ancient Greek poet Homer, who described “the folds of Olympus”, the deep gorges where, according to mythology, the twelve gods resided. Alongside Zeus, the Dodecatheon (meaning “twelve gods” in Greek) included Hera, Hestia, Demeter, Poseidon, Athena, Apollo, Artemis, Hermes, Ares, Aphrodite, and Hephaestus.
Homer portrayed Olympus as a vast, pure, steep, wooded, multifaceted, snow-covered, and dazzling sacred home of the gods. Following Homer, other notable ancient authors such as Hesiod, Herodotus, and Aristophanes also praised the mountain in their writings. In Theogony, Hesiod recounts that Olympus became the residence of Zeus, his brothers, and his children, the base from which they fought the Titans. After ten long years of battle, the gods triumphed and made Olympus their eternal home. According to the myth, the large stones scattered at the foot of the mountain are remnants of this mythical war.
Mythology holds that the Pantheon, today’s highest peak, Mytikas, was the meeting point of the gods, while the Throne of Zeus was situated on the nearby peak now known as Stefani (meaning “crown” in Greek). The eastern slopes of the mountain were believed to be home to the Nine Muses, daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne, who inspired and presided over the arts and learning.
According to archaeologists and researchers, the peaks known today as the Pantheon and the Throne of Zeus on Mount Olympus were considered sacred and untouchable by mortals in ancient times and, thus, were never approached. The closest point from which the ancients maintained visual contact with Mytikas, the highest peak, was a location now known as Agios Antonios (Saint Antonios). It is believed that an altar once stood there for offerings and sacrifices to the Olympian gods. Archaeological excavations at the site have revealed inscribed stone tablets, coins, and other artefacts, confirming that it served as a place of worship where people left tributes to the gods.
At the foot of Mount Olympus lies ancient Dion, a city founded by the ancient Macedonians in honour of Zeus. Today, visitors can explore the archaeological site, including the Temple of Demeter, the ancient theatre, and the Archaeological Museum of Dion, which houses artifacts and excavation finds. These items were once votive offerings left during rituals and ceremonies dedicated to the Olympian gods.
It is particularly remarkable that the summit of Mount Olympus was first reached by humans only around 120 years ago, in 1913. The first ascent of Greece’s highest peak, Mytikas, was made by Christos Kakalos, a local hunter, who was accompanied by two Swiss climbers, Frédéric Boissonnas and Daniel Baud-Bovy. Kakalos later became the first official guide of Mount Olympus and continued guiding climbers well into old age; his final ascent to Mytikas was at the age of 93. The story of this historic climb was first made widely known in 1919 with the publication of the book La Grèce Immortelle by the Swiss photographer Frédéric Boissonnas.
In 1938, Mount Olympus was declared Greece’s first national park, marking the beginning of its formal environmental protection. Years later, UNESCO recognized the mountain as a Biosphere Reserve, highlighting its ecological significance. Additionally, the European Union has designated Olympus as one of the “Important Bird Areas” within the EU. It is also included in the Natura 2000 European Network as both a Special Protection Area and a Site of Community Interest, ensuring the preservation of its unique biodiversity and natural habitats.
Mount Olympus is home to more than 30 species of mammals, over 100 species of birds, and approximately 1,700 species of higher plants, representing around 25% of Greece’s total flora. The rich biodiversity of Olympus has attracted the attention of botanists since the 19th century. In the early 20th century, many botanists from across Europe travelled to the mountain to study its unique flora and collect specimens for university botanical gardens. The most notable researcher of Olympus’s plant life is the Swedish botanist Professor Arne Strid, who documented more than 1,100 plant species in his landmark 1980 publication, Wild Flowers of Mount Olympus.
Due to its high elevation, proximity to the sea, and variety of microclimates, Mount Olympus supports an exceptionally diverse range of plant life. Broadly, the mountain’s vegetation is structured into four distinct zones, although these zones often blend into one another because of the significant environmental variations that occur over short distances.
The first zone, found between 300 and 500 meters, consists primarily of evergreen broad-leaved species, including low trees and shrubs. The second zone, extending from 600 to 1,400 meters, features dense forests of beech, fir, and mountain conifers, especially black pine (Pinus nigra var. pallasiana). The third zone, ranging from 1,400 to 2,500 meters, is dominated by the rare Bosnian pine (Pinus heldreichii), also known as robolo. Above 2,500 meters, the highest tree line in the Balkans, trees disappear entirely, giving way to a rich mosaic of alpine ecosystems. These areas are characterized by low-growing vegetation and a variety of rare wildflowers, many of which are endemic to the Greek and Balkan regions.
Often referred to as the sacred mountain by climbers, Mount Olympus is rich not only in flora but also in fauna. More than 40 species of mammals have been recorded on the mountain, including the wild goat, deer, fox, red squirrel, wild cat, and several bat species. In addition, the mountain is home to around 40 species of amphibians and reptiles. Turtles, snakes, toads, and lizards are commonly found at low to mid-altitudes, taking advantage of the mountain’s varied terrain and microclimates.
Mount Olympus, the first National Park in Greece, continues to inspire awe and mystery. Today, two main routes lead to its highest peak, while countless trails invite visitors to explore its lower summits, lush paths, and rich biodiversity. Hikers can traverse dramatic gorges, visit centuries-old monasteries and mountain refuges, or stumble upon hidden forest ponds that offer rare moments of absolute tranquillity.
The mountain is an active natural laboratory with a range of opportunities for interdisciplinary research throughout the range of academic disciplines. Its combination of high biodiversity, intricate geology, and profound cultural heritage offers an environment in which students and scholars can thrive.
Olympus rises not only as the mythical seat of the gods but as a summit of knowledge, where nature, history, and science converge. Through our tailor-made Study Abroad programs, faculty are invited to bring their students into this awe-inspiring landscape, where learning unfolds among ancient peaks and living ecosystems. From the possibilities of conducting ecological studies on plant-pollinator interactions and the impacts of climate change to botanical explorations of alpine flora and pollination networks, the mountain provides a setting for experiential learning. Geologists can have the opportunity to study the Pleistocene glacial history of Mount Olympus and stratified topography, while zoologists could study species such as the Balkan chamois in their natural alpine habitat. With its unparalleled biodiversity, complex ecosystems, and rich human history, Olympus offers a unique setting for immersive, research-driven academic experiences!
Would you like to create a program that makes your research discipline come alive on Mount Olympus? Contact us to collaborate on a Study Abroad program that complements your research and teaching objectives, where they learn by doing. Learning begins in a landscape shaped by myth, history, and discovery.