Timeless, Olympos on Karpathos is one of the most picturesque island villages in Greece.
Between Rhodes and Crete lies the second largest island of the Dodecanese, Karpathos. An island that captivates with its contrasts and its wild beauty. A distinctive destination for those seeking authentic experiences away from the crowds of the famous islands. Rugged mountains that embrace enchanting beaches and picturesque villages with living traditions and colorful houses that look out to the Aegean compose a unique mosaic of island beauty.
Among the many beautiful places on the island, there is a mountain village-gem you simply must visit when you find yourself in Karpathos. Built in a mountainous and remote location in northern Karpathos, at an elevation of 310 meters, Olympos looks like a living folklore museum.
Olympos of Karpathos: A village-experience
Until just a few decades ago, Olympos - or Elympos, as the locals call it - was cut off from the rest of Karpathos, without electricity and roads. So it is no surprise that this small community developed a completely distinct cultural tradition, many elements of which are still preserved.
The feeling that time has stood still reigns in this village. Characteristic is the areas traditional dress, still worn today by the women of Olympos, and you can also hear the local dialect.
The residents of Olympos show their special devotion to tradition even more vividly during Easter. The men and women of the village follow an authentic ritual of mourning and lament during Holy Week, as well as a traditional celebration that culminates on Bright Tuesday.
The settlement was built following the architecture of fortified medieval island settlements and has preserved this image almost unchanged to this day. The site where the village stands was chosen as the inhabitants sought refuge from pirate raids and were forced to abandon the coastal settlements for higher and more inaccessible parts of the island. Olympos owes its name to the older name of the mountain at the foot of which it was built, which today is called Prophet Elias.
A visit to Olympos is a truly special experience. Arriving here, you feel that you are in a place like no other in Greece. The colorful and well-preserved houses descend along the ridge, tightly bound to one another, while the stone windmills and old churches (notably the church of Panagia, from the 16th century, with a carved wooden iconostasis and notable frescoes) complete the picturesque scene. A stroll through the village, its alleys and its little shops, as well as the view from the windmills at the moment the sun sets will remain unforgettable.
