Sacred mountains are central to certain religions, and are usually the subjects of many legends. For many, the most symbolic aspect of a mountain is the peak because it is believed that it is closest to heaven or other religious realms. Many religions have traditions centered on sacred mountains, which either are or were considered holy or are related to famous events. In some cases, the sacred mountain is purely mythical, like the Hara Berezaiti in Zoroastrianism. Mount Kailash is believed to be the abode of the deities Shiva and Parvati, and is considered sacred in four religions: Hinduism, Bon, Buddhism, and Jainism. Volcanoes, such as Mount Etna in Italy, were also considered sacred, Mount Etna being believed to have been the home of Vulcan, the Roman god of fire and the forge.
The north face of Mount Kailash, a mountain in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China which is considered sacred by four religions.
Machapuchare, a sacred Nepalese mountain, viewed from foothills
Mount Olympus
Mount Athos
Mount Olympus is the highest mountain in Greece. It is part of the Olympus massif near the Thermaic Gulf of the Aegean Sea, located in the Olympus Range on the border between Thessaly and Macedonia, between the regional units of Larissa and Pieria, about 80 km (50 mi) southwest from Thessaloniki. Mount Olympus has 52 peaks and deep gorges. The highest peak, Mytikas, meaning "nose", rises to 2,917.727 metres (9,572.60 ft). It is one of the highest peaks in Europe in terms of topographic prominence.
Mount Olympus' peaks in daytime
Mytikas: the highest peak
Stratospheric view of Mount Olympus
Muses' Plateau, with Stefani (the throne of Zeus) in the background