Kalambaka, Greece - Litohoro, Greece (Mount Olympus)
Meteora from Afar
We left Meteora earlish (as always we leave) and headed south. We had seen signs for a cave as we came into town, and we followed those signs out of it. The cave was not far, but it was spectacular. Theopetra Cave... inhabited by humans for over 130,000 years, and home to the oldest known man made structure. The structure is crude, but it is certainly man-made. The ancients who inhabited the cave built a partial wall to cover the cave's entrance. We can imagine that when the wall was built, some 30,000 years ago, the earth was much cooler and the denizens of Theopetra Cave would need all of the shelter they could get. The remnants of time that line the cave are bits of crude pottery, the shapes of simple kilns, footprints saved forever in the mud, and even the remains of some of those who lived and died there. 150,000 years is a long time, and if humans have been there for that long than this is certainly an amazing historical discovery.
Description
Theopetra Cave
Details
Excavation
Fossilized Footsteps
Remains
Oldest Man Made Structure (Um... gate added later...)
Wall Desc.
Meteora
We left the cave behind us and continued through Northern Greece. We made our way through the city of Larissa, and along the coast and northwards. Along our route, and not far from our destination, we saw a castle sitting on the rocks. Not having a firm itinerary we were open to explore a bit, and this castle was an excellent opportunity. We stopped the car, hopped out, and began the climb to the ruins. The castle was byzantine and is one of few left standing. Most castles of the time were salvaged for their stones, but for whatever reason this castle, sitting perched on a cliff on the Thermaic Gulf, survived. There has been some restoration, and like most sites there is still some investigation. There were roofs built over the remains of some frescoes, and the houses of the citizens. The wall looked out over the see, and we over it. In the distance, not at all far from the castle, stood the might Mount Olympus, and the home of the Gods. We wandered around the grounds, through the houses, and into a courtyard off on the main tower. You know, when I drive randomly through Canada I do not find castles....
Brochure
Up to the Castle
A Family Gathering
Over the Wall
Village
The Sea
Sheltered Excavation
Original Frescoes
Mount Olympus
Greece
The Tower
Door
Inside the Wall
Castle on the Sea
Having our fill we moved on to the town of Litohoro... Litochoro... Litochkzoro... whatevs... We followed the directions, we got lost, we squeezed through the tiny cobbled streets, we did a two person e-brake hill start, and we managed to find a parking spot behind our hotel (though this was after we parked in front which was an adventure of its own...). We were staying in a gorgeous place and on the roof, which was level with our room, we could look out over the town, and up at the mighty Olympus. Mount Olympus was the main reason we had come to this place and we had certainly found a view.
Room with a View
From Our Room
360 of Litohoro
With much of the day left we drove to Ancient Dion, where we were able to see a museum with many relics, and then we headed to Mount Olympus. We drove up to the gates of the park (which was a ways up) took in the view, and managed to check out a monastery on the way. Amazing.
Monastery on Olympus
Tower
Behind the Trees
Centre of Litohoro
The Church
Churchside
The Gorge
Gods of Tourism
A Dry Creek
Mount Olympus
In the Fog
Mountain of the Gods
We returned to our room, rested, then headed out to the town square for supper... mmm... rabbit!
Rabbit Dialogue
The Rabbit
Zeus
Olympus
Litohoro
Skies of the Gods
Another great day, and in the shadow of Olympus we rested.
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