This unanimous decision represents a significant international recognition of the exceptional natural, ecological and cultural value of the “mountain of the Gods”, whilst strengthening the prospects for its protection and promotion.
A historic milestone for Greece is the inclusion of the wider Olympus region on the UNESCO World Heritage List, recognising 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, which is taking place in Busan, South Korea.
Olympus has been recognised as a natural and cultural asset of outstanding universal value to humanity and is now officially a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The decision was taken unanimously by the members of the Committee, confirming the international recognition of the unique natural, cultural and symbolic value of this iconic Greek mountain.
At an altitude of 2,918 metres, Mount Olympus is the highest mountain in Greece and, according to ancient Greek mythology, the home of the twelve Olympian gods and Zeus.
The joint statement by the Ministries of Culture and the Environment and Energy
“Olympus is situated in northern Greece and is the country’s highest mountain. Its microclimate, which stems from its proximity to the sea and its steep elevation gradient, gives rise to a remarkable diversity in topography, climate and vegetation. In this landscape, the ancient Greeks placed the abode of the Twelve Olympian Gods, with Zeus as the supreme deity, as well as the Muses and the Graces. Through the works of Hesiod and Homer, Olympus became a central point of reference in Greek mythology throughout the Greek and Roman world, emerging as the timeless symbol of Greek civilisation.”,” UNESCO states, amongst other things.
The Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Environment and Energy express their joy, pride and great satisfaction at the unanimous decision of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee to inscribe the “Greater Olympus Area” on the World Heritage List during the proceedings of its 48th Session, which has been taking place since 19 July in the city of Busan, South Korea. The inclusion of this mythical mountain on the List represents one of the most significant international honours in the field of cultural and natural heritage protection, as it recognises the Outstanding Universal Value of Mount Olympus, placing it amongst the world’s most iconic monuments, which require special protection and care for the benefit of humanity.
The Minister of Culture, Lina Mendoni, stated: “The inscription of Mount Olympus on the UNESCO World Heritage List confirms Greece’s long-standing commitment to the protection, promotion and sustainable management of its cultural and natural heritage, in accordance with the principles of the World Heritage Convention. At the same time, it raises the international profile of a place that is a timeless symbol of Greek culture, nature and universal heritage, emphasising the international community’s shared responsibility for its preservation, for the benefit of present and future generations. The inscription encapsulates, in a unique way, the unbreakable unity of our cultural and natural heritage. Mount Olympus is the mountain which, through the Homeric epics and ancient Greek literature, has carried Greek mythology and Greek civilisation throughout the world. It remains the eternal symbol of the abode of the Olympian gods, and of a multidimensional and “dramatic” landscape, inspiring awe and respect and continuing to fuel thought, art, science and global cultural creation. The descriptions of Mount Olympus in Homer’s works – “polyptychos”, for its numerous peaks; “macros”, dominating the horizon; “nifoeis”, for its snow-capped peaks; “polydeiras”, for its many ravines – formed the starting point for this timeless inspiration. The image of Olympus, as captured by Homer’s poetic genius almost three millennia ago, remains unchanged to this day, evoking the same sense of admiration and respect in the modern visitor. Warm thanks to the Permanent Representative of Greece to UNESCO, Giorgos Koumoutsakos, for his constant and substantial support throughout the process; to the senior officials of the Ministry of Environment and Energy and OFYPEKA; as well as to the Directorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities and the Ephorate of Antiquities of Pieria of the Ministry of Culture. Their scientific expertise, dedication and excellent cooperation led to the achievement of our shared goal of inscription, a significant success of which we are all proud.”
The Minister for the Environment and Energy, Stavros Papastavrou, stated: “Greece’s natural environment is a living and integral part of our identity, history and culture. Its protection and promotion are at the heart of our government’s policy. Mount Olympus was designated Greece’s first National Park in 1938; it serves as a refuge for rare predators, whilst hosting 28% plant groups – over 1,900 species, 27 of which grow exclusively on Mount Olympus and nowhere else in the world – as well as significant populations of wildlife. From Mount Olympus, a global symbol that links the ancient myth of Greece’s highest mountain – as the abode of the gods – with the environmental future of our homeland, to the Untouchable Mountains and the new National Marine Parks announced by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and now in place, we are demonstrating in practice that the protection of nature and biodiversity is a firm national priority. With the establishment and strengthening of OFYPEKA, we have laid the foundations for the modern and integrated management of the country’s protected areas. Through systematic cooperation between the Ministry of Environment and Energy, the Ministry of Culture and OFYPEKA, the complete dossier for Mount Olympus’s nomination for inclusion on the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List was prepared, successfully concluding an effort that had begun in 2014. We are now moving from international recognition to specific projects. In the immediate future, we will be implementing projects on Mount Olympus worth over 10 million euros, with the aim of protecting the natural environment, improving accessibility and promoting the sustainable development of the wider area. Warm thanks and congratulations to Dr Dionysia Hatzilakou, director of OFYPEKA, who led the entire effort, as well as to all those who contributed to this great national success. Special thanks to the Minister of Culture, Lina Mendoni, with whom we have once again collaborated constructively for the benefit of our country. And a special mention for the support of Greece’s Permanent Representative to UNESCO, Giorgos Koumoutsakos. We are continuing to work with a clear plan and consistency, in order to protect and showcase our country’s unique natural and cultural heritage for present and future generations.
The successful nomination of Mount Olympus for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List as a mixed property is the result of close and dedicated cooperation between the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Environment and Energy for the protection and promotion of the country’s cultural and natural heritage. The nomination dossier was prepared by the Organisation for the Natural Environment and Climate Change (O.F.Y.PE.K.A), under the supervision of the Ministry of Environment and Energy and the Directorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities of the Ministry of Culture, drawing on the expertise of both bodies in the fields of natural and cultural heritage. The successful outcome of the nomination highlights the dynamics of cross-sectoral cooperation, which, combined with the contribution of the relevant departments and their expertise, the scientific community and local government, the organisations involved and other interested parties, led to the compilation of a particularly complex dossier that successfully met the high standards of the World Heritage Convention.
This inscription is of particular importance, as Mount Olympus is included on the List as a mixed property – one of the most demanding categories, the inclusion of which requires simultaneous documentation of both its cultural and natural values. Mixed properties constitute, comparatively, a small percentage of all properties on the World Heritage List, and this is the only one submitted for consideration at the current session of the Committee. Greece – together with the earlier inscriptions of Meteora and Mount Athos – has three mixed properties on the List, whilst it now has a total of 21 inscriptions, making this success particularly significant for the country and strengthening its international standing within the framework of the Convention.
At the same time, this inscription recognises the unique natural value of Mount Olympus as a site of exceptional importance for biodiversity. With an altitude of 2,918 m, it features, owing to its proximity to the Aegean coast, a wide range of altitudes, as well as its rugged terrain, topographical isolation and historical role as a glacial refuge, hosting 1,983 taxa, i.e. over 25% of the Greek flora. This floral richness and the extremely high concentration of stenoendemic species (species found only on Mount Olympus, anywhere in the world) confer global significance upon the mountain, making it the “ark” of biodiversity. At the same time, it is home to a rich fauna, which includes numerous species of birds and mammals, as well as the brown bear and the largest Greek subpopulation of wild goats, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates.
Olympus, the highest mountain in Greece, a timeless symbol of Greek culture and part of the world’s cultural heritage, as the mythical home of the Twelve Olympian Gods, occupies a central place in the worldview of the ancient Greeks. Its influence, through the Homeric Epics, Hesiod’s Theogony and later literature, extended far beyond the boundaries of the ancient world. It continues to inspire literature, the arts, philosophy, the sciences and contemporary global cultural creation to this day. The archaeological site of Dion, at the foot of the mountain, constitutes the most important physical manifestation of the worship of the Olympian gods, forming an integral part of its exceptional cultural and natural landscape.
Source: voria.gr