Greece marks UNESCO listing of Mount Olympus with 400 million euro mountain fund

Formal recognition in Litochoro

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited the Mount Olympus area on Friday, 2 October 2026, to commemorate the official inclusion of the mountain on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Speaking at the headquarters of the Olympus National Park Management Unit in Litochoro, Mitsotakis described the inscription as an acknowledgment of the site's combined ecological and cultural stature. Mount Olympus becomes Greece's third mixed World Heritage property, joining Meteora and Mount Athos on the register. Mitsotakis recalled asking Culture Minister Lina Mendoni early in his first government term why Olympus was omitted, prompting an effort to prepare the official application. He outlined that future nomination efforts will target Ancient Nikopolis, building on recent additions of Zagori and the Minoan Palaces. Mitsotakis added that national policies must narrow inequalities between central and regional Greece, citing increases in heating allowances for mountain communities.

During his speech in Litochoro, Mitsotakis described the new status as a binding commitment for state protection.

The UNESCO stamp is a continuous reminder of the responsibility assumed by the state to effectively protect this distinct ecosystem and keep its cultural identity alive.

Hiking trail and community dialogue

Earlier in the day, Mitsotakis took part in a hiking tour along the trail from Prionia to the Holy Monastery of Saint Dionysios. A delegation of environmental advocates, local professionals, and scientific staff accompanied the prime minister along the mountain path to review sustainable development needs. The walking group included guide Vasilis Diamantopoulos, mountain escort Vagia Boufeti, trail advocate Lia Papazoglou, and Geological History Museum founder Giorgos Arzanas. They were joined by refuge manager Maria Zolota of Spilios Agapitos, Olympus Meteorological Station head Christina Anagnostopoulou, producer Konstantinos Gkountelias, and Special Secretary for Mountain Areas Dimitris Kyriazis. The conversation addressed the maintenance of walking routes, ecological monitoring, and environmental protection for the first national park established in Greece. The area preserves 1,700 recorded plant species and geological formations that draw visitors and researchers.

Monastic heritage and regional investments

Following the hike, Mitsotakis arrived at the Holy Monastery of Saint Dionysios, where he was received by Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni, Abbot Father Maximos, and Metropolitan Georgios of Kitros, Katerini and Platamon. Father Maximos guided the officials through the monastery complex, showing them the church interiors and newly constructed pilgrim guesthouses. Metropolitan Georgios thanked the government for 2025 legislation that restored ownership of the Holy Monastery of Panagia Eisodion Theotokou Petra Olympou to the local diocese, ending a century in which the property had operated as a sanatorium and psychiatric facility. Mitsotakis connected cultural conservation to regional infrastructure investments, noting a 400 million euro development program targeted at mountainous communities. Planned projects include a 60% expansion of Olympus National Park and the installation of specialized water intake points for aerial firefighting operations across Thessaly and Eastern Macedonia.