Olympos is a village ,in the northern part of the island of Karpathos (part of the Dodecanese Islands) in the South Aegean region, Greece.
Olympos is located on a mountain slope that cannot be seen from the coast, surrounded by the two mountain cones Profitis Ilias and Koryfí. The many smaller buildings, mostly in white or yellowish color, are actually built into the hillside, only connected by narrow, winding streets.
Olymbos was built from the 7th century as a refuge for the inhabitants of the former settlements of Vourgounda, Tristomo and the island of Saria and the ancient Vrykous, who fled the mountains from the frequent raids by pirates and Saracens. There, largely isolated from the outside world, not only has the ancient Doric-influenced dialect in the language of the Olympites (the inhabitants of the village) been kept, but also art, culture and customs that can be found everywhere in the village.
In a village that looks like an open-air museum, the residents of Olymbos present old handicrafts and costumes and offer visitors traditional food to eat ,the traditional style of the village attracts many tourists nowadays.
Access : Coordinates: 35.733333, 27.183333 / Karpathos is an island in the Aegean Sea and the second largest island in the Dodecanese.-The Dodecanese Islands are an island group in the South Aegean Islands of Greece . / From the ferry ports in Pigadia and Diafani there are good ferry connections to the neighboring islands, especially to Crete, Rhodes and Santorini. Car ferries from Piraeus travel almost 24 hours on this route.
- Highlights :
- The village is amphitheatrically located at 250 m above sea level at the foot of Mount Olympus, to which it owes its name.
- The parish church Kimisi tis Panagías, built in the 15th century. The relief on the bell tower with the Virgin Mary in traditional costume, surrounded by the archangels Michael and Gabriel, was only added in 2002.
- Next to the main church there are several smaller chapels in and around Olympos.
- One of the last operated typical fixed windmills can be visited. The flour is used to bake traditional dark bread in wood-burning ovens.
- Due to the isolation of the village, many old authentic customs and crafts have been preserved, its inhabitants still speak the old archaic dialect, and women still wear traditional costumes.
Go next : Pigadia – also known as Karpathos is the main town and port / Aperi, isolated village. / Arkasa,on the western coast / Finiki / Mesochori / Menetes.
