Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis went for a hike along mountain trails on Mount Olympus on Friday, starting from Prionia and heading to the Holy Monastery of Agios Dionysios.

Along the route, he was accompanied by citizens and professionals operating in the area, who simultaneously contribute to the protection of its natural wealth and public awareness, regarding the unique cultural and environmental significance of Olympus.

During the hike, Mitsotakis had the opportunity to exchange views with fellow walkers, on the actions required to ensure the promotion and mild development of the region, with full respect for the natural environment and the peculiarities of mountainous terrain.

He was accompanied by guide Vassilis Diamantopoulos, mountain guide Vaya Boufeti, Lia Papazoglou, co-founder of a climate action organisation dedicated to protecting the mountain and clearing and maintaining trails, Giorgos Arzanas, creator of the Museum of Geological History of Mount Olympus in Leptokarya, Maria Zolota, manager of the “Spilios Agapitos” refuge, Christina Anagnostopoulou, Director of the Mount Olympus Meteorological Station, Konstantinos Gkoundelias, a local producer of edible flowers, and Dimitris Kyriazis, Special Secretary for Mountainous Regions.

At the Holy Monastery of Agios Dionysios, the prime minister was welcomed by Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni, Metropolitan Georgios of Kitros, Katerini, and Platamonas, and Abbot Father Maximos. The abbot guided Mitsotakis through the church areas and the new guest houses for pilgrims.

Metropolitan personally thanked Mitsotakis for the government’s care, regarding the return of the Holy Monastery of Panagia Eisodion Theotokou Petra Olympus to the Metropolis, which had been a long-standing demand of the local community, welcoming the state’s decision.

The return of the historical monastery was completed last year via a legislative provision, 100 years after it was initially converted into a sanatorium and subsequently into a psychiatric medical institution.