Olympos (or Olymbos) is a timeless village located in Karpathos, an island belonging to the Dodecanese archipelago in the southern Aegean Sea.
The village is perched on top of Mount Prophet Elias and is isolated from the other towns in the island. Because of this isolation, the village has retained its age-old charm and tradition which captivates visitors. Though the village is located just 58 km from Pigadia, the island’s capital, it might take a few hours to reach here as the roads are quite challenging to navigate.
History
Vrykous was an ancient Doric city that existed on the island until the 8th century and was located near the site of Olympos. The original inhabitants were the Dorians, one of the major ethnic groups of ancient Greece who were characterised by their Doric Greek dialect and rich set of traditions. Today, you can visit the ruins of a small part of the ancient city, which mostly includes walls and rundown churches.
The town of Olympos was built in the 9th century. As Karpathos island was frequented by pirate attacks, the residents from Vrykous decided to resettle in the mountains, as it was more safe and shielded.
It is believed that the village is named as ‘Olympos’ after Mount Olympus which, according to Greek mythology, is the abode of the Olympian Gods. While ‘Olympus’ is a masculine word, the name of the village ‘Olympos’ is feminine.
“A Living Folklore Museum”
The village has been considered as a living folklore museum and you will be amazed at this whole new world that exists among the mountains. The village gained road access in the recent past prior to which it could only be accessed through the port of Diafani and had sparse connections with the outer world.
Due to this isolation, the people here follow a traditional Doric lifestyle, retain their exotic cuisine, speak a medieval dialect of Greek and even dress in their customary attire. Till date, the locals are proud of their culture and refuse to tarnish it with modern influences. Their traditional festivals like Greek Easter, Festival of St. John and Festival of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary are celebrated with great pomp and pride. The entire village comes together wearing colourful traditional costumes and jewellery with a background of traditional music.
Interesting right! Now you know why this village is popular among tourists.
The houses here exhibit classical Greek architecture – white walls with blue highlights and colourful roofs. The sight of these charming houses on the mountain slopes and the sprawling views of the sea beyond form a picturesque sight. Throughout the village, you will find several stone windmills mostly located high on the mountain slopes. There are over 75 of them standing today and you can visit some of them which are functional to observe how barley and wheat are ground. Among the churches here, the church of Panagia from the 16th century is the most important one. Explore the village by walking through the cobblestoned alleys lined with eateries and souvenir shops selling handmade traditional products.
Avlona
Avlona is a small village where some residents of Olympos own agricultural land and property. You will find vast stretches of various fruit, vegetable and grain cultivations and a few vineyards too. Throughout the centuries, the locals had converted this dry mountainous landscape into a successful farmland with dry farming methods that were passed through generations.
Why should you visit?
The town of Olympos literally transports you back to ancient Greece with its untainted culture and traditional charm which promises a truly unique experience. You can also visit the beaches of Karthapos, which are known for their crystal clear waters and serene vibe. Apella, Kyra Panagia and Acata and Votsalakia are the best ones. The southern coast of the island is developed for tourists and is great for water sports like windsurfing.
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