Greece Pushes for Mount Olympus UNESCO World Heritage Designation

Mount Olympus, Greece’s highest peak at 2,918 m, has been celebrated since antiquity as the “seat of the immortals.” The summit was declared Greece’s first national forest in 1938, designated a UNESCO biosphere reserve in 1981, and became a national park by presidential decree in 2021. Greece first submitted a nomination for UNESCO World Heritage status in 2014, emphasizing both cultural heritage—such as an open-air sanctuary linked to Plutarch’s second-century accounts—and the mountain’s diverse flora, fauna, and alpine ecosystems.

The Guardian

Tourism to Olympus has risen sharply, with about 500,000 visitors recorded last year. The figure is expected to climb further after the July 17 release of Christopher Nolan’s film *The Odyssey*, which was partially shot in Greece. Park officials warn that increased footfall heightens the risk of forest fires, which they identify as the greatest threat to the site, exacerbated by climate change.

The Guardian

Mayor Evangelos Geroliolios of Dion-Olympus stresses the need for balance, noting that the mountain’s carrying capacity “has reached its limit.” Deputy director Dimitris Pappas of the Olympus national-park management agency argues that UNESCO designation would bring technical and financial support, helping to safeguard the environment. However, advisory bodies from ICOMOS and the International Union for Conservation of Nature have suggested that the nomination may be sent back to Greece for additional detail, potentially extending the process. The UNESCO World Heritage Committee will discuss the nomination during its 48th session in Busan, South Korea, with the meeting scheduled to conclude on July 29.

The Guardian

• “I’ve never forgotten that unique moment, that unique feeling up there on the throne of Zeus,” — Evangelos Geroliolios

The Guardian

• “We’re happy to have tourists but more of them will mean more risks,” — Dimitris Pappas, the deputy director of the Olympus national park management agency

The Guardian

• “There’s no doubt that if the area is declared a Unesco world heritage site it will help contribute to the mountain’s protection. If we lose what we have it will be a catastrophe.” — Dimitris Pappas, the deputy director of the Olympus national park management agency

The Guardian