Olympus, the highest mountain in Greece (the highest peak is 2,918 m. above sea level), rises on the border of Macedonia and Thessaly, between the provinces of Pieria and Larissa. Owing to its specific microclimate, which is partly due to the short distance from the sea and the steep increase in height above sea level, it stands out for its great diversity in terrain, climate and vegetation.

The shape of the massif and the majestic peaks, covered in fog and low-hanging clouds, which often bring storms, in conjunction with its diverse and changeable natural beauty, have always induced awe and admiration. In this eerie landscape, the ancient Greeks placed the residence of the Twelve Gods of Olympus (with Zeus at their head), the Muses and the Graces. There, according to Hesiod, Zeus fought Cronus and the Titans and, after winning, settled there and became lord all the gods, demigods and humans. The myths and traditions collected by Homer and Hesiod were passed on throughout the ancient Greek and Roman world, making Olympus the epicentre of ancient Greek mythology and a symbol of Greek civilization.

According to ancient Greek tradition, the twelve gods lived in the gorges – or ‘folds of Olympus’ as Homer calls them – where their Pałaces were situated. On the highest peak was the throne of Zeus.

Epir to kraina górzysta, zajmująca obszar północno-zachodniej części Grecji, przy granicy z Albanią. Od zachodu oblewana jest przez wody Morza Jońskiego. Graniczy z Tesalią, Macedonią Zachodnią, Grecją Zachodnią, Grecją Środkową.

Unesco tentative list

Zagori (“the place behind the mountains”, from the Slavic za “behind” and gora “mountain”) constitutes a distinctive geographic and cultural unit of great architectural and environmental interest. Its own inhabitants divide it, based on the natural boundaries traced by the local rivers, into four subunits: Vlachozagoro, Lakka Zagoriou (the villages in the Zagoritikos river valley), the Villages of the Ano Vikos Valley and the Villages of the Voidomatis Valley. These four subunits form a single territorial unit, Zagori. Its first settlements, its oldest core, lie in the west part of present-day Zagori (Papigo and Pedina). The two other parts developed later. Most of the modern villages were established during the Ottoman period, while most of the villages of East Zagori were founded in the 15th century.

The city, with the fortification walls and the cemeteries, occupies a fertile strip of land between the Ionian Sea to the west and the Ambracian Gulf to the east, where two of the three city harbours were located. The third harbour ran along both sides of the inlet known as Ormos Vathy at the north edge of the modern city of Preveza. The city occupies an area of approximately 375 acres. The plan of the city was the rectangular grid with the Decumanus (the main east-west street) and the Cardo (main north-south street) intersecting at its centre. Nikopolis was planned within walls with four main gates at the compass points. The southern quarters of the city were mainly composed of residential houses but also included the Odeion, while the northern section saw the construction of the Monument of Augustus, the Theatre, the Gymnasium and the Stadium. This area, known to ancient writers as the “Suburb”, is located outside the Roman fortification walls, on the hills, with a magnificent view of the Ionian sea and the Preveza peninsula. The city had a very effective water-supply system. An impressive 50-km-long aqueduct, consisting of a series of arches (arcade) and tunnels, carried water from the Louros springs to the Nymphaeum, from where it was distributed within the city.

Sanktuarium panhelleńskie w Delfach, gdzie przemawiała wyrocznia Apollina, mieściło Omfalós, “pępek świata". Przesiąknięte uświęconymi treściami, harmonijnie wtopione we wspaniały krajobraz, w V w. p.n.e. stanowiło prawdziwe centrum i symbol jedności Grecji.

Trzy oddalone od siebie geograficznie klasztory- pierwszy w Attyce, koło Aten, drugi w Fokidzie, w okolicach Delf, a trzeci na jednej z wysp Morza Egejskiego, w pobliżu Azji Mniejszej- należą do tej samej serii typologicznej i posiadają podobne cechy estetyczne. Zbudowane są na planie centralnym i przekryte wielką kopułą wspartą na narożnych trompach, umożliwiających przejście do planu ośmiobocznego. W XI i XII w. zostały ozdobione wspaniałą dekoracją z marmuru oraz pięknymi mozaikami na złotym tle, charakterystycznymi dla “drugiego renesansu bizantyjskiego".

Dwa archipelagi na Morzu Egejskim, znanych pod nazwą Sporady Południowe i Sporady Północne. Sporady północne administracyjnie należą do Tesalii, zaś południowe do Dodekanezu. Tutaj potraktujemy je w oderwaniu od lądu stałego, zaś południowe wrzucimy do Dodekanezu (ach to Rodos...)

Na Samos warto zobaczyć:

Tunel Eupalinosa - Muzeum oraz słynny podziemny akwedukt wybudowany w VI w. p.n.e. przez Eupalinosa.

Herajon na Samos - Ruiny wybudowanej w VIII wieku p.n.e. jońskiej świątyni, wzniesionej ku czci bogini Hery.

Jaskinia Pitagorasa