{"success":true,"data":{"id":"17a39039-daf7-4607-ab31-7c2dd760e215","title":"Oh my gods! Mount Olympus added to UNESCO World Heritage Site list amid ‘The Odyssey’ hype","summary":"trending now in Lifestyle Oh my gods! Mount Olympus added to UNESCO World Heritage Site list amid ‘The Odyssey’ hype Mount Olympus was known by the ancient Greeks as the home of the gods. AFP via Getty Images Call it “the Odyssey effect.","content":"#### trending now in Lifestyle\n\n# Oh my gods! Mount Olympus added to UNESCO World Heritage Site list amid ‘The Odyssey’ hype\n\n Mount Olympus was known by the ancient Greeks as the home of the gods.  AFP via Getty Images \n\nCall it “[the Odyssey effect](https://nypost.com/2026/07/16/lifestyle/the-post-asked-new-yorkers-if-they-know-the-odyssey-plot/).”\n\nAs film fans battle it out to [watch an ancient Greek battle](https://nypost.com/2026/07/21/media/odyssey-fanatics-pay-epic-prices-for-rare-imax-70-mm-seats-in-nyc-resellers-asking-prices-reach-over-1k-per-seat/) on IMAX, Mount Olympus — the legendary home of the gods, according to Greek mythology — is getting international protection from UNESCO.\n\nThis week, the United Nations hub for historic preservation named Mount Olympus as one of its new protected World Heritage Sites, joining a list that includes the Taj Mahal in India, Machu Picchu in Peru and the Great Wall of China.\n\nMount Olympus is the only new UNESCO site honored for both its manmade and natural wonders. AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris\n\nLocated in northern Greece, Mount Olympus stands almost 3,000 feet tall at its highest point and is home to golden eagles, wolves and deer. In 1938, it was designated as Greece’s first-ever national park.\n\nWant to nominate your own favorite place for UN preservation? Good luck.\n\n## Explore More\n\nGetting on UNESCO’s World Heritage Site list is harder than getting into Harvard. All sites must have “outstanding universal value” —meaning it’s so important, it belongs to all of humanity, not just one country. The site also has to be protected by strong conservation plans, because UNESCO won’t get behind places that are falling apart.\n\nAnd every site goes through an extensive voting process to ensure it meets the majority of hardcore criteria, including “showing human genius,” “containing top natural beauty,” and “being tied to events, ideas, beliefs, or artistic works of great global meaning.”\n\n“The Odyssey” has renewed interest in Greek mythology and its ancient sites, including Mount Olympus. Melinda Sue Gordon / Universal Pictures via Everett Collection\n\nDespite its “home of the gods” designation, Mount Olympus can be hiked by mere mortals. Above, the Greek flag painted on a rock facade. AFP via Getty Images\n\nMount Olympus is one of 25 new sites added to UNESCO’s list this year. Other world wonders include India’s ancient Buddhist site of Sarnath, the beaches of Normandy in France and China’s mesmerizing Jingdezhen porcelain ruins.\n\nBut Mount Olympus is the only one of the sites designated as a “mixed property,” meaning it contains both manmade wonders (archaeological ruins and classical Greek sculpture) along with untouched natural wonders like sheer rock faces and rare, deep purple _heldreichii_, a kind of African violet.\n\nDespite being a mythological paradise, it’s possible for mere mortals to see and hike Mount Olympus in person, as long as you’ve got a plane ticket to Greece.\n\nTourists can take a dip in the waterfall basin of the Enipeas Gorge on Mount Olympus. AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris\n\nThe Enipeas Gorge of Mount Olympus also features an ancient chapel at a site known as the Holy Cave of St. Dionysios. AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris\n\nWhat do you think?[Be the first to comment.](https://nypost.com/2026/07/27/lifestyle/mt-olympus-now-a-unesco-world-heritage-site-amid-the-odyssey-hype/#nypost-openweb-conversation)\n\nBut if you’d rather visit a UNESCO site a little closer to home, good news:\n\nGeorgia’s lush Okefenokee swamp is also on the revered World Heritage Site list, thanks to its incredible beauty and its untouched Longleaf Pine savanna. It’s not home to any Greek gods, but if you want to see one of America’s largest alligator populations, you’ll find it pretty divine.\n\nFiled under\n\nSPONSORED STORIES\n\nAround The Web\n\n#### Trending Now  on NYPost.com\n\n*   [![Image 30: Netflix exec goes ballistic after being fired for stunning ‘trust exercise’ confession at ranch retreat: suit](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/netflix-exec-ketamine-firing-trust-exercise-comp.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=260&h=174&crop=1)](https://nypost.com/2026/07/26/us-news/netflix-exec-goes-ballistic-after-being-fired-for-stunning-trust-exercise-confession-at-retreat-suit/)This story has been shared 69,714 times.69,714   ### [Netflix exec goes ballistic after being fired for stunning ‘trust exercise’ confession at ranch retreat: suit](https://nypost.com/2026/07/26/us-news/netflix-exec-goes-ballistic-after-being-fired-for-stunning-trust-exercise-confession-at-retreat-suit/) \n*   This story has been shared 56,514 times.56,514   ### [California sailor missing for over a month in the Pacific Ocean is suddenly found drifting off Hawaii](https://nypost.com/2026/07/26/us-news/california-man-stranded-on-sailboat-survives-month-at-sea/) \n*   This story has been shared 46,953 times.46,953   ### [NBA star blasts Mamdani for ‘cosplaying’ as ‘a mayor playing president’ after Netanyahu arrest fail](https://nypost.com/2026/07/27/us-news/nba-star-kyle-kuzma-blasts-mamdani-for-cosplaying-as-president-after-netanyahu-arrest-fail/) \n*   This story has been shared 41,721 times.41,721   ### [NFL coach’s wife shot at couple’s home](https://nypost.com/2026/07/27/sports/chiefs-coordinator-eric-bieniemys-wife-shot-at-couples-home/) \n\n## Now on Page Six\n\n## Now on  Decider\n\n#### Top Broadway Shows\n\n*   [Cats - New York](https://seatgeek.com/cats-tickets/broadway/2026-07-27-7-pm/18150771?aid=16279&pid=theater&utm_source=nypost.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=widget&utm_term=18150771) Jul 27, 2026 |[Get Tickets](https://seatgeek.com/cats-tickets/broadway/2026-07-27-7-pm/18150771?aid=16279&pid=theater&utm_source=nypost.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=widget&utm_term=18150771) \n*   [Chicago - The Musical - New York](https://seatgeek.com/chicago-the-musical-tickets/broadway/2026-07-27-7-pm/18048752?aid=16279&pid=theater&utm_source=nypost.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=widget&utm_term=18048752) Jul 27, 2026 |[Get Tickets](https://seatgeek.com/chicago-the-musical-tickets/broadway/2026-07-27-7-pm/18048752?aid=16279&pid=theater&utm_source=nypost.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=widget&utm_term=18048752) \n*   [The Play That Goes Wrong - New York](https://seatgeek.com/the-play-that-goes-wrong-tickets/theater/2026-07-27-7-pm/18015963?aid=16279&pid=theater&utm_source=nypost.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=widget&utm_term=18015963) Jul 27, 2026 |[Get Tickets](https://seatgeek.com/the-play-that-goes-wrong-tickets/theater/2026-07-27-7-pm/18015963?aid=16279&pid=theater&utm_source=nypost.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=widget&utm_term=18015963) \n*   [The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee - New York](https://seatgeek.com/the-25th-annual-putnam-county-spelling-bee-tickets/broadway/2026-07-27-7-pm/18054778?aid=16279&pid=theater&utm_source=nypost.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=widget&utm_term=18054778) Jul 27, 2026 |[Get Tickets](https://seatgeek.com/the-25th-annual-putnam-county-spelling-bee-tickets/broadway/2026-07-27-7-pm/18054778?aid=16279&pid=theater&utm_source=nypost.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=widget&utm_term=18054778) \n*   [The Great Gatsby - The Musical - New York](https://seatgeek.com/the-great-gatsby-the-musical-tickets/broadway/2026-07-27-7-pm/17891715?aid=16279&pid=theater&utm_source=nypost.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=widget&utm_term=17891715) Jul 27, 2026 |[Get Tickets](https://seatgeek.com/the-great-gatsby-the-musical-tickets/broadway/2026-07-27-7-pm/17891715?aid=16279&pid=theater&utm_source=nypost.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=widget&utm_term=17891715) \n\n \"The Odyssey\" has renewed interest in Greek mythology and its ancient sites, including Mount Olympus. Melinda Sue Gordon / Universal Pictures via Everett Collection\n\n Despite its \"home of the gods\" designation, Mount Olympus can be hiked by mere mortals. Above, the Greek flag painted on a rock facade. AFP via Getty Images\n\nYou are viewing**1** of **5**images Previous Image Next Image\n\n## More Stories\n\n### Page Six\n\n### Decider\n\n### NYPost","source_name":"New York Post","source_url":"https://nypost.com/2026/07/27/lifestyle/mt-olympus-now-a-unesco-world-heritage-site-amid-the-odyssey-hype/","url":"https://nypost.com/2026/07/27/lifestyle/mt-olympus-now-a-unesco-world-heritage-site-amid-the-odyssey-hype/","author":"Faran Krentcil","author_name":"Faran Krentcil","published_at":"2026-07-27T17:09:39.000Z","publication_date":"2026-07-27T17:09:39.000Z","image_url":"https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/photograph-shows-greek-flag-painted-135554252.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=744","category":"world","topic":"world","tags":[],"political_bias":null,"bias_score":null,"confidence_score":null,"credibility_score":null,"factual_quality":null,"reading_time":5,"word_count":832,"view_count":0,"breaking":false,"breaking_news":false,"ai_analysis":null,"fact_check_status":"unverified","archive_status":"hot","language":null}}