Evangelos Gerolirios, mayor of Dion Olympus, reflects on his profound experience atop Mount Olympus, Greece’s highest peak, where he felt the presence of ancient gods. He emphasizes the mountain’s cultural and historical significance, advocating for its inclusion on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. The committee is set to discuss this nomination during its 48th session in Busan, South Korea.
Greece first proposed the designation in 2014, highlighting the site’s unique biodiversity, which led to its recognition as a biosphere reserve in 1981 and national park status in 2021. Gerolirios stresses the global importance of protecting Olympus, akin to that of the Parthenon, as the site faces challenges from rising tourism and environmental threats, including forest fires worsened by climate change.
With nearly 500,000 visitors last year and anticipation of increased tourism due to renewed interest in ancient Greece inspired by recent films, Gerolirios calls for enhanced protections. Tourists support the UNESCO bid, acknowledging the need for better trail management and preservation efforts. While the outcome remains uncertain, Gerolirios emphasizes immediate protective measures, stating, “Olympus’ capacity has reached its limit,” and insists that action must not be delayed, whether or not the UNESCO designation is granted.
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