Published on 18/07/2026 – 16:35 GMT+2•Updated 16:36
Mount Olympus, the mythical sanctuary of ancient Greek deities, stands on the cusp of global recognition with its nomination for inclusion on UNESCO’s World Heritage List as a mixed site. The World Heritage Committee will evaluate the proposal during its 2026 session in Seoul, running from July 19 to 29.
Greece formally submitted the designation bid in 2014, but UNESCO’s advisory bodies, IUCN and ICOMOS, have requested supplementary documentation to reinforce the site’s universal significance. Evaluators emphasize the need to bolster evidence regarding its geological importance, biodiversity, and ecological systems, as well as clarify its cultural dimensions. The archaeological site of Dion, located at the mountain’s base, has been proposed for inclusion in the nomination.
“Mount Olympus is our life,” asserts Evangelos Geroliolios, mayor of Dio-Olympos. “It is the place where we grew up, yet it embodies myth, history, biodiversity, natural beauty, and profound cultural legacy. Its UNESCO designation would transcend local borders, uniting the entire world in its preservation.”
Babis Marinidis, president of the Litochoro Mountaineering Club, highlights the growing challenge of balancing tourism with environmental stewardship. “The critical question is how many visitors this ecosystem can sustain without degradation,” he notes, referencing existing violations of conservation regulations, such as unauthorized camping and swimming in protected zones.
Annually, Mount Olympus draws thousands of climbers, whose presence intensifies the pressure to improve management strategies. The mountain’s steep terrain and unpredictable weather demand exceptional caution. For residents of Litochoro, a UNESCO designation would validate their ancestral bond with the land. “Mount Olympus is not a new discovery; it has sustained ourcommunity for generations,” says Stavroula Vourou, a local hotel owner.
Anticipation surrounds UNESCO’s decision, which could affirm the convergence of myth, history, and ecological uniqueness at this iconic summit.
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- Footage Released by Ukrainian Prosecutors Showing Monaco Bombing Targeting Tycoon</TITLE]KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian prosecutors have released surveillance footage documenting the bombing in Monaco that caused serious injuries to tycoon Vadym Yermolaiev and his family.The June 30 attack has sent shockwaves through the Mediterranean principality. While the motive behind the explosion remains under investigation, the case involves a coordinated effort between authorities in Monaco, France, and Ukraine, as well as Interpol.The suspected perpetrator, Anastasiia Berezovska, was discovered dead in Ukraine shortly after the incident. According to the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), a Ukrainian military intelligence officer has confessed to the killing, maintaining that he acted independently and without authorization from his superiors.The video, released to the Associated Press on Saturday, shows an individual wearing a hat and carrying a bag placing an object near a building’s entryway before walking away. In the background, a man, a woman, and a child are seen ascending a hill. As the three individuals approach the entryway, an explosion occurs, causing the video to blur.Ukrainian Chief Prosecutor Ruslan Kravchenko stated via Telegram that the footage originated from a surveillance camera planted by the perpetrators to monitor the attack. He noted that while the files were initially deleted, SBU specialists successfully recovered them.The Monaco prosecutor’s office has not yet commented on the released footage or the current status of the investigation.Yermolaiev’s legal team issued a letter this week accusing the Ukrainian security services of involvement in the explosion and requesting protection for his family.In a statement provided to French media, Yermolaiev alleged that the Ukrainian military intelligence agency was directly involved in the attempted assassination of his family. Yermolaiev remains hospitalized; his partner, Anna, sustained irreversible injuries, and their 13-year-old son suffered burns and fractures.In a notable turn, the letter expressed gratitude to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for his personal oversight and unspecified assistance regarding the matter, according to French media reports.Yermolaiev was sanctioned by the Zelenskyy administration in 2023 due to his ties to Russia and has stated that he has renounced his Ukrainian citizenship. President Zelenskyy has not commented on whether he has provided assistance in this case.
![Footage Released by Ukrainian Prosecutors Showing Monaco Bombing Targeting Tycoon</TITLE]KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian prosecutors have released surveillance footage documenting the bombing in Monaco that caused serious injuries to tycoon Vadym Yermolaiev and his family.The June 30 attack has sent shockwaves through the Mediterranean principality. While the motive behind the explosion remains under investigation, the case involves a coordinated effort between authorities in Monaco, France, and Ukraine, as well as Interpol.The suspected perpetrator, Anastasiia Berezovska, was discovered dead in Ukraine shortly after the incident. According to the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), a Ukrainian military intelligence officer has confessed to the killing, maintaining that he acted independently and without authorization from his superiors.The video, released to the Associated Press on Saturday, shows an individual wearing a hat and carrying a bag placing an object near a building’s entryway before walking away. In the background, a man, a woman, and a child are seen ascending a hill. As the three individuals approach the entryway, an explosion occurs, causing the video to blur.Ukrainian Chief Prosecutor Ruslan Kravchenko stated via Telegram that the footage originated from a surveillance camera planted by the perpetrators to monitor the attack. He noted that while the files were initially deleted, SBU specialists successfully recovered them.The Monaco prosecutor’s office has not yet commented on the released footage or the current status of the investigation.Yermolaiev’s legal team issued a letter this week accusing the Ukrainian security services of involvement in the explosion and requesting protection for his family.In a statement provided to French media, Yermolaiev alleged that the Ukrainian military intelligence agency was directly involved in the attempted assassination of his family. Yermolaiev remains hospitalized; his partner, Anna, sustained irreversible injuries, and their 13-year-old son suffered burns and fractures.In a notable turn, the letter expressed gratitude to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for his personal oversight and unspecified assistance regarding the matter, according to French media reports.Yermolaiev was sanctioned by the Zelenskyy administration in 2023 due to his ties to Russia and has stated that he has renounced his Ukrainian citizenship. President Zelenskyy has not commented on whether he has provided assistance in this case.](https://i0.wp.com/i.abcnewsfe.com/a/11c60fb4-7733-48e0-a05a-3b720d0910a2/wirestory_111e53caa1ad4a56336e9ecb04ef1c5c_16x9.jpg?w=1600&w=1024&resize=1024,1024&ssl=1 "Footage Released by Ukrainian Prosecutors Showing Monaco Bombing Targeting Tycoon</TITLE]KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian prosecutors have released surveillance footage documenting the bombing in Monaco that caused serious injuries to tycoon Vadym Yermolaiev and his family.The June 30 attack has sent shockwaves through the Mediterranean principality. While the motive behind the explosion remains under investigation, the case involves a coordinated effort between authorities in Monaco, France, and Ukraine, as well as Interpol.The suspected perpetrator, Anastasiia Berezovska, was discovered dead in Ukraine shortly after the incident. According to the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), a Ukrainian military intelligence officer has confessed to the killing, maintaining that he acted independently and without authorization from his superiors.The video, released to the Associated Press on Saturday, shows an individual wearing a hat and carrying a bag placing an object near a building’s entryway before walking away. In the background, a man, a woman, and a child are seen ascending a hill. As the three individuals approach the entryway, an explosion occurs, causing the video to blur.Ukrainian Chief Prosecutor Ruslan Kravchenko stated via Telegram that the footage originated from a surveillance camera planted by the perpetrators to monitor the attack. He noted that while the files were initially deleted, SBU specialists successfully recovered them.The Monaco prosecutor’s office has not yet commented on the released footage or the current status of the investigation.Yermolaiev’s legal team issued a letter this week accusing the Ukrainian security services of involvement in the explosion and requesting protection for his family.In a statement provided to French media, Yermolaiev alleged that the Ukrainian military intelligence agency was directly involved in the attempted assassination of his family. Yermolaiev remains hospitalized; his partner, Anna, sustained irreversible injuries, and their 13-year-old son suffered burns and fractures.In a notable turn, the letter expressed gratitude to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for his personal oversight and unspecified assistance regarding the matter, according to French media reports.Yermolaiev was sanctioned by the Zelenskyy administration in 2023 due to his ties to Russia and has stated that he has renounced his Ukrainian citizenship. President Zelenskyy has not commented on whether he has provided assistance in this case.")
