elysian: travel

archaeology

Mount Olympus is the highest mountain in Greece and one of the highest peaks in Europe. Between the regions of Macedonia and Thessaly, Mount Olympus was declared a National Park in 1938 due to its deeply rich flora, natural beauty and of course its mythological connection. It was considered to be the residence of the 12 Greek Gods. In Homers’ Iliad, the home of the gods is described as an ancient acropolis below the peaks of Olympus. The three Horae guarded the golden gates. Inside there was the palace of Zeus, other palaces for the rest of the Gods and stables for the immortal horses.

The origin of the name Όλυμπος (Olympus) is unknown and usually considered to be "pre-Greek". There are mentions of Olympus in Homer, Herodotus and many ancient writers. Its highest peak, Mytikas (meaning nose) rising to 2,918 meters, considered to be the meeting place of the Gods. Furthermore, M. Olympus has also an important historical significance since it served as a hiding place of the armatoloi, who were fighting against Ottoman occupation and later as a gathering centre for the Greek resistance against German occupation (1941-1944).

Mount Olympus has 52 peaks, gorges, forests and alpine fields. For seven months of the year it is covered in snow (from November to May) while the temperature varies in the winter from -10 °C to 10 °C and in the summer from 0 °C to 20 °C. Its fauna and flora are really impressive. In antiquity (according to Pausanias) there were lions and until 16^th century bears. Now the traveler may come across various species of birds (as the golden eagle, the lanner falcon, etc), reptiles (snakes, lizards) and other animals as the wild boar, the wildcat and roe deer. Its flora is even more impressive with about 1700 species and subspieces. 23 of them are local endemic plants (they can be found only in Olympus).

The first recorded ascent took place in 1913 by the local goat hunter C.Kakkalos together with the alpinists F.Boissonas and D.Baud-Bovy. Today is one of the most popular destinations with more than 150000 visitors per year. There are various activities (hiking, trekking, canyoning, etc) satisfying every adventurer. The Greek Gods chose Mount Olympus as their home. Ascending it, is a once in a lifetime experience and who knows...maybe you can catch a glimpse of Zeus upon his throne!!

archaeology

COLOSSUS OF RHODES: AN ANCIENT WANDER

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architecture

MONEMVASIA: A SHIP OF STONE

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One of the most beautiful medieval cities in Greece is Monemvasia (the name derives from the words mone and emvassia meaning single entrance). Monemvasia is built on a rock 200m high, 1500m long and 600m wide. Its entrance is a bridge connecting the rock to the mainland. The town was constructed this way to avoid enemy attacks. Founded by the Lakedemons in the 6th century AD, Monemvasia was an important town, part of the Byzantine Empire. The town’s geographically strategic position made it an ideal base for military operations. Later it passed under Venetian (1463-1540 and 1690-1715) and Ottoman occupation (1540-1690 and 1715-1821). In 1821, the fortress was the first to be liberated during the Greek War of Independence.

There are many things to admire in Monemvasia. The architecture of the houses is a mix of local, Venetian and Ottoman style. Today most of the old mansions have been converted into guesthouses and boutique hotels. The visitor may explore the Upper Town that accommodated the first residents, the byzantine churches and the Muslim Shrine (now housing the Archaeological Collection of the city). Don’t forget to taste the culinary delights and of course the famous “Monemvasian Wine’’ (or “Malvasia’’ for the west). You can wander around the narrow, cobbled streets and appreciate the amazing view from different spots.

Monemvasia is the birthplace of the great poet Yannis Ritsos (1909-1990). He was born in 1909 and he left a wide range of poems, plays, etc. Ritsos' poetry ranges from the overtly political to the personal, and it often utilizes characters from ancient Greek mythology. Tractors (1934), Epitaphios (1936), Earini Symphonia (1938) and Moonlight Sonata (1956) are among his popular works. Monemvasia was constant in his mind as in his work.

"Monovasia"

Rock. Nothing else. The wild fig tree and the ironstone.
An armed sea. No room at all for genuflection. Outside the Elkomenos Church gate a crimson in the black. The old women with their cauldrons bleaching the longest woven cloth in history suspend on rings from the forty-four Byzantine arcades. The sun a merciless friend with his lance on the walls opposite and death disinherited within this vast illumination where the dead interrupt their sleep now and then with cannon fire and rusty lampposts, going up and down on step after step carved in the rock. They strike their tinder boxes against the edge of their palms until the sparks fly. I – he said – will climb higher, above the soft continuation, stepping on the dome of the large submarine church with its lit candelabra. I with the blue bone, the red wing and the pure white teeth.

Monovasia 28.9.74

Source for the poem: www.monemvasia.gr