The inscription of the wider Mount Olympus area on the UNESCO World Heritage List marks a historic distinction for Greece, recognizing the unique natural and cultural value of the country’s iconic mountain.

The decision was taken during the 48th Session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, held in Busan, South Korea.

Standing at an elevation of 2,918 meters, Mount Olympus is the highest mountain in Greece and, according to ancient Greek mythology, the dwelling place of the Twelve Olympian Gods and Zeus.

Mount Olympus is located in northern Greece and is the country’s highest mountain. Its microclimate, resulting from its proximity to the sea and its steep elevation gradient, creates a remarkable diversity of terrain, climate, and vegetation.

Within this landscape, the ancient Greeks placed the dwelling of the Twelve Olympian Gods, led by Zeus, as well as the Muses and the Graces. Through the works of Hesiod and Homer, Mount Olympus became a central reference point of Greek mythology throughout the Greek and Roman worlds, making it an enduring symbol of Greek civilization,” UNESCO states, among other things.