Iran (5,610 m) – Sacred Pagan Persian Site Mount Damavand is a dormant volcano, the tallest volcano in mainland Asia and the highest mountain in Iran. It has been considered a sacred mountain since before the arrival of the Abrahamic faiths in the region, and is closely associated with Zoroastrian mythology. Damavand is also the iconic natural symbol of the modern-day nation … [Read more...]
CROAGH PATRICK
Ireland (764 m) - Sacred Celtic and Early Christian Site Croagh Patrick is Ireland’s other great pagan-Christian mountain. Located close to the westernmost point in Europe with a view of the North Atlantic, it was long associated with pagan sun worship. It later became a base for St. Patrick, and its name means “St. Patrick’s Stack”. Unlike Slieve Donard, Croagh Patrick … [Read more...]
SLIEVE DONARD
Ireland (850 m) – Sacred Celtic and Early Christian Site Slieve Donard is the tallest mountain in Northern Ireland and one of the chief peaks associated with Celtic mythology in the British Isles. It also played a role in early Christian history in Ireland, and its name means “Donard’s Mountain” in honor of the saint who once preached there. Slieve Donard was one of the key … [Read more...]
ROCK OF GIBRALTAR & JEBEL MUSA
Gibraltar and Morocco (426 m, 842 m) – Sites of the Pillars of Hercules The Rock of Gibraltar on the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula and Jebel Musa on the northern tip of the Maghreb region of Africa have long been associated with each other. Flanking the highly strategic Straits of Gibraltar, these two mountains marked the end of the known world in ancient times. … [Read more...]
MOUNT ETNA
Italy (3,350 m) – Site of the Forge of Hephaestus Mount Etna in Sicily is the largest active volcano in Italy, and in Europe, and one of the largest active volcanoes in the world. It erupts on a regular basis, with descriptions recorded as far back as Roman times. The name Etna is believed to be Phoenician in origin and probably means “Furnace”. Etna played several roles in … [Read more...]
MOUNT PARNASSUS
Greece (2,457 m) – Site of the Oracle of Delphi Mount Parnassus, the third and probably most visited of Greece’s most famous mythological mountains, is closely associated with the city of Delphi and its world-famous oracle, as well as anumber of other Greek legends. The ruins of the ancient shrine of Delphi still stand on its slopes, making it one of the most important … [Read more...]
MOUNT OTHRYS
Greece (1,726 m) – Home of the Titans Mount Othrys in Central Greece was the mythological antithesis of Olympus. According to Greek legend, it was here that the titans, the arch-enemies of the Olympians, made their home, and from here that they coordinated their war against the Gods. Today it is a popular destination for climbing and hiking. In ancient Greek myth, a war … [Read more...]
MOUNT OLYMPUS
Greece (2,917 m) – Home of the Olympian Gods Mount Olympus on the frontier between Thessaly and Macedonia is the tallest mountain in Greece. According to ancient tradition, Olympus was the home of Zeus and others of the Greek deities, and was considered among the most sacred of mountains until the arrival of Christianity displaced the ancient pagan practices. In ancient … [Read more...]
