Praise and Ancient Beliefs
The Greeks, who are always ready to praise the greatness of their own country, speak very highly of Mount Olympus. Since ancient times, this mountain has been celebrated in poetry and legend. Homer himself described it as the dwelling place of Jupiter and the other gods. According to him, Olympus was a holy mountain, untouched by storms and free from clouds A Summer Retreat to the Mountains.
However, not all observers agree fully with this description. From my own experience, some nearby slopes appear to be higher than parts of Olympus itself. I have also seen clouds gathering above it, which goes against the ancient belief that it always stood clear and bright above the weather.
Snow and Climate on the Mountain
In the month of September, there was no snow visible on Mount Olympus. This is worth noting, because many other high mountains in Europe, such as the Alps, the Pyrenees, and the Carpathian Mountains, are rarely without snow, even in warmer seasons. Olympus does not always share this feature Daily Sofia Tour.
Nevertheless, after the first rain in that region, the mountain quickly became well covered with snow. This is not surprising, since it is well known that when rain falls in the valleys, snow often falls at the same time on high mountains. Olympus follows this natural rule, even if it does not always appear snow-covered at first glance.
Size, Shape, and Visibility
Mount Olympus can be seen from a very great distance. I myself saw it clearly from Edessa in Macedonia, which is about seventy miles away. This shows not only its height, but also its impressive size.
It is important to understand that Olympus does not consist of a single sharp peak, as it is sometimes described. Instead, it stretches a long way across the land. It extends mainly from east to west and covers a wide area. In this sense, Homer’s description is very fitting, especially if his words are understood to mean not only “high Olympus,” but also “long Olympus.”
Different Air and Climate on Each Side
Because Mount Olympus stretches so widely, it creates very different climates on its northern and southern sides. People living at the foot of the mountain on one side experience a different kind of air than those living on the other side. The difference can be so great that it feels as if they live in distant climates rather than in neighboring places.
This contrast was clearly expressed by the Roman poet Lucan, who described how the inhabitants of the lower slopes feared the cold northern winds and lived under very different conditions from those on the opposite side of the mountain.
Mount Olympus in History and Warfare
Mount Olympus also played an important role in history. Paulus Aemilius, the Roman consul, marched around this mountain along the seaside and defeated King Perseus. With this victory, he brought Macedonia under Roman control.
On another occasion, when King Antiochus laid siege to the city of Larissa, Appius Claudius managed to lift the siege through clever strategy. He ordered great fires to be lit on part of Mount Olympus. Seeing these fires from afar, King Antiochus believed that a large Roman army was approaching. Fearing defeat, he withdrew his forces.
A Mountain of Myth, Nature, and Power
Mount Olympus stands not only as a symbol of ancient myth, but also as a real and powerful presence in nature and history. Though poets praised it as the home of the gods, careful observation shows it to be a mountain shaped by climate, distance, and time. Its size, changing weather, and influence on human affairs make it one of the most remarkable mountains in Europe.
