LITOCHORO, Greece — Mount Olympus, Greece’s highest mountain and a landmark of ancient mythology, is being considered for inclusion on UNESCO’s World Heritage List as a mixed cultural and natural site, with the nomination set for review by the World Heritage Committee in Busan, South Korea.
The proposed listing, known as the “wider area of Mount Olympus,” seeks recognition for the mountain’s combination of cultural importance, biodiversity and geological value. UNESCO documents identify the nominated property as spanning parts of Greece’s Central Macedonia and Thessaly regions, covering areas in the regional units of Pieria and Larissa.
Rising to 2,918 metres, Mount Olympus has been associated for centuries with Greek mythology as the home of Zeus and the Olympian gods. The mountain also contains archaeological and religious sites linked to different periods of Greek history, including ancient traditions and later Christian heritage.
Greek officials and local authorities have supported the nomination, arguing that international recognition could strengthen conservation efforts and highlight the mountain’s cultural and environmental significance. Evagelos Geroliolios, mayor of Dion-Olympus, said Olympus represents a combination of mythology, history, biodiversity and cultural importance for local communities.
The nomination process has been under development for years. Greece added the broader region of Mount Olympus to its UNESCO Tentative List in 2014, the preliminary step before a formal nomination for World Heritage status.
The mountain is already protected through national conservation measures and has been recognized as part of a UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Reserve. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which advises UNESCO on natural and mixed sites, evaluated the nominated area as including significant natural features, including ecosystems shaped by the mountain’s geology and elevation.
Authorities have also faced the challenge of balancing growing interest from visitors with environmental protection. Local officials have raised concerns about managing tourism, protecting fragile habitats and maintaining safety in a mountainous area known for difficult terrain and changing weather conditions.
UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee is scheduled to examine a group of new nominations during its 48th session in Busan from July 20 to 29, 2026. The committee will decide on whether nominated sites meet the criteria for inscription on the World Heritage List.
The final decision on Mount Olympus’ World Heritage status remains pending the committee’s review.
