Five things you never knew about Mount Olympus

THE highest cliff in Greece has been honoured with the Google doodle today. Here are five fun facts you didn’t know about the mythological mountain.

Mount Olympus is explored by tourist annually. Picture: iStock

MOUNT Olympus, the highest cliff in Greece, was honoured with a Google Doodle today.

The 2917m mountain is also known to many for its interesting Grecian fables and myths.

Based on archaeological evidence found in 1961, the highest peak of the mountain called Agios Antonios is known to have been the favoured hangout of mythical god Zeus.

For years, the mountain remained unexplored until it was first ascended by three climbers on August 2, 1913.

Mount Olympus is highest mountain in Greece standing at 2917m. Picture: iStock

Google honoured Mount Olympus in a doodle today. Picture: Google

Thanks to their efforts, the mountain is today one of the most visited sites in the country.

The mountain, which is located on Olympus Range, is sandwiched between the Thessaly and Macedonia’s border. It is also one of the highest points in the whole of Europe.

Here are five facts about the legendary mountain that you might have not known.

1. GREEK GOD’S MAIN HANGOUT JOINT

The mountain was said to be home to the 12 Greek gods, such as Zeus, his wife Hera, Anthena and Poseidon.

The Greek gods as seen in an illustration. Picture: iStock

2. FIRST ASCENDED IN 1913

According to The Sun, the mountain was first explored 105 years ago by Swiss photographer Frédéric Boissonnas, his friend Daniel Baud-Bovy, and Christos Kakkalos, a Greek hunter who served as their guide.

3. HIGHEST POINT IN GREECE

The mountain is the highest point in Greece and the second highest in the Balkans.

4. BIODIVERSITY GALORE

Thousands of tourist make their way to Mount Olympus annually to explore the mountain’s flora and fauna found on its hill tops.

5. NATIONAL PARK RECOGNITION

Because of its rich biodiversity, the mountain was recognised as the country’s first national park in 1938.