Mount Olympus

Lore & Background

In Greek mythology, Olympus is the home of the Greek gods. The origin of the name Όλυμπος (Olympos) is unknown. One theory suggests it is compounded of ou lyma (οὐ λύμα) and pous (πούς), meaning "pure foot", conforming to Hesiod's description of the earth as a sort of footstool for heaven. According to Robert S.P. Beekes the word is of pre-Greek origin and he speculates that it originally meant "mountain". In Homeric Greek (Odyssey 6.42), the variant Οὔλυμπος Oulumpos occurs, conceived of as the seat of the gods (and not identified with any specific peak). Homer (Iliad 5.754, Odyssey 20.103) also appears to be using οὔλυμπος as a common noun, as a synonym of οὐρανός ouranos "sky". Mount Olympus was historically also known as Mount Belus, after Iliad 1.591, where the seat of the gods is referred to as βηλὸς θεσπέσiος "heavenly threshold". In Ancient Greek religion and mythology, "Olympus" was the name of the home of the Twelve Olympian gods. Thessalian Olympus is the highest peak in any territory settled by Greeks in antiquity and came to be seen as the "Pan-Hellenic" representative of the mythological seat of the gods, by at least the 5th century BC, as Herodotus (1.56) identifies Olympus as the peak in Thessaly. In Pieria, at Olympus's northern foot, the mythological tradition had placed the nine Muses, patrons of the Fine Arts, daughters of Zeus and the Titaness Mnemosyne.

Reader's Guide

Olympus remains the most popular hiking summit in Greece, as well as one of the most popular in Europe. Organized mountain refuges and various mountaineering and climbing routes are available. The usual starting point is the town of Litochoro which lies in the eastern foothills of the mountain, some 100 km (62 mi) from Thessaloniki. The mountain has exceptional biodiversity and rich flora. It has been a National Park, the first in Greece, since 1938. It is also a World Biosphere Reserve. In July 2026, the wider area of Mount Olympus was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as a mixed World Heritage Site. The Geological Museum of Mount Olympus, located in Leptokarya, provides detailed information about the geological structure of the mountain. The highest peak, Mytikas (Μύτικας Mýtikas), meaning "nose", rises to 2,917.727 metres (9,572.60 ft) and is the highest peak in Greece. The mountain's morphology includes deep gorges and lots of smooth peaks, many of them over 2,000 metres (6,600 ft), including Aghios Antonios (2,815 metres), Kalogeros (2,700 metres), Toumpa (2,801 metres) and Profitis Ilias (2,803 metres). The central rocky peaks include Stefani (or Thronos Dios [Throne of Zeus – 2,902 metres]), which presents the most impressive and steep peak of Olympus, and Skolio (second highest sub-peak – 2,911 metres).

Did You Know?

• Mount Olympus has 52 peaks and deep gorges.
• The highest peak, Mytikas, meaning 'nose', rises to 2,917.727 metres (9,572.60 ft).
• Mount Olympus was historically also known as Mount Belus, after Iliad 1.591.
• The mountain has a circumference of 80 kilometres (50 mi) and an average diameter of 26 kilometres (16 mi).
• In Pieria, at Olympus's northern foot, the mythological tradition placed the nine Muses, daughters of Zeus and the Titaness Mnemosyne.

Common Misconceptions (Editorial)

Some assume Mount Olympus is a single peak, but the facts show it is an extensive massif with 52 peaks. Others mistakenly believe it has always been called Olympus, but historically it was also known as Mount Belus. A common misconception is that its UNESCO designation is older; in reality, it was inscribed as a mixed World Heritage Site in July 2026.

Why It Matters (Editorial)

Mount Olympus endures as a symbol where nature and mythology converge, its towering peak Mytikas bridging the ancient Greek imagination of divine dwelling with a real, protected landscape. As Greece’s first national park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and a newly inscribed World Heritage Site, it represents a lasting commitment to preserving both exceptional biodiversity and a cultural legacy that has shaped Western storytelling for millennia.