Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis went hiking at midday on mountain trails of Olympus, from the Prionia location to the Holy Monastery of Saint Dionysios.
During the route, the Prime Minister was accompanied by citizens and professionals who are active in the area, while also contributing to the protection of the natural wealth and to raising public awareness of the distinct cultural and environmental significance of Olympus.
During the hike, Kyriakos Mitsotakis had the opportunity to exchange views with the other hikers on the actions required to ensure the promotion and gentle development of the area, with full respect for the natural environment and the particular characteristics of mountainousness.
The Prime Minister was accompanied by guide Vasilis Diamantopoulos, mountain escort Vagia Boufeti, Lia Papazoglou, co-founder of a climate action organization that cares for the protection of the mountain and the opening - maintenance of trails, Giorgos Arzanas, creator of the Olympus Geological History Museum in Leptokarya, the manager of the “Spilios Agapitos” refuge Maria Zolota, the Director of the Olympus Meteorological Station Christina Anagnostopoulou, Konstantinos Gkountelias, a local producer of edible flowers, and the Special Secretary for Mountainous Areas Dimitris Kyriazis.
At the Holy Monastery of Saint Dionysios, the Prime Minister was welcomed by the Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni, the Metropolitan of Kitros, Katerini and Platamon, Mr. Georgios, and Abbot Father Maximos. The Abbot gave Kyriakos Mitsotakis a tour of the church premises and the new guesthouses for hosting pilgrims.
The Metropolitan of Kitros personally thanked the Prime Minister for the government's care regarding the return to the Metropolis of the Holy Monastery of Panagia Eisodion Theotokou of Petra Olympus, which had been a standing request of the local community, welcoming the state's decision.
The return of the historic Monastery was completed last year with a legislative regulation, 100 years after its conversion first into a sanatorium and then into a nursing institution for mental illnesses.