CHRISTOFOROS PERRAIVOS
(1773 – 1863)
Christoforos Perraivos, born in 1773 in Palaioi Pouri (Palaia Pourlia), was a multifaceted and diverse personality of Greek history. The real surname of his family was Hatzivasileiou, which was later changed to Perraivos, derived from the ancient name of his region.He studied medicine in Vienna after previous studies at the Greek School of Bucharest. During his stay in Vienna, he met Rigas Feraios and adopted his ideas. The complexity of his life is highlighted by the fact that he served in the military, was politically active, was a teacher, a lyricist, and a writer of war memoirs.In Corfu, where he lived for several years until 1817, he wrote the "History of Souli and Parga." Later he becomes a member of the Society of Friends and actively participates in the preparation of the great uprising in mainland Greece. During the Revolution of 1821, he participated as a politician and soldier, while after the death of Karaiskakis, he followed Ypsilantis in campaigns against the Turks.Perraivos continued to serve in the army after the establishment of the Hellenic Kingdom and was honored by King Otto with the rank of lieutenant general in 1844. He died in Athens at the age of about ninety on May 4, 1863, leaving behind an impressive historical work and a life dedicated to the motherland.
KALLINIKOS PATRIARCHIS ALEXANDRIAS
(1800 – 1889)
Kallinikos, born in 1800 in Skotina Pieria, coming from a family with a long history in the church, is an important figure of the Orthodox Church. In 1818, he devoted himself to the monastic life at the Olympiotissa Monastery and then studied at the Theological School of Tsaritsani. He surprised with his abilities and in 1827 he was ordained elder in the Monastery of Sparmou Elassonas. Kallinikos, as protosygelos, followed Metropolitan Porphyrios to the Diocese of Mytilene in 1827 and, after his death, assumed his position. In 1851, he was ordained a bishop and took charge of the Diocese of Mytilene until 1855, when he moved to the Diocese of Thessaloniki. In 1858 he was elected patriarch of Alexandria and carried out many works of charity, such as the construction of a holy temple and a school in his birthplace, the acquisition of the village from the Turks, and the donation of an amount for the salary of teachers in the Holy Monastery of Agios Dionysios. He was recognized as a great benefactor, with a bust in the central square of Ano Skotina and in Mytilini. Kallinikos' long-term service ended with his resignation in 1861 due to health problems, even rejecting his election as Ecumenical Patriarch. He died in 1889 in Mytilene, leaving behind a great bequest.
EVANGELOS KOROVAGOS
(early 19th century – 1895)
Evangelos Korovagos was born in Litochoro in the first half of the 18th century. The first written reference about him comes from the work of I. Drakiotis "Konops Olympos..." in 1870, mentioning observations about his character and personality. In 1878, he became President of the Revolutionary Government of Olympus, trying to serve the interests of the Greek population in Macedonia. Although the revolution failed militarily, it succeeded diplomatically in revising the Treaty of Saint Stephen. After the failure of the revolution, he signs a capitulation and moves to Piraeus, where he is honored for his contribution. In 1884 he was proposed for the position of consular agent in Katerini, but the Ottoman Government refused his appointment due to his role in the revolution of 1878. They also refused him the return to his homeland, Litochoro. During the last decade of his life he remained in Piraeus, receiving a government grant. In Litochoro, his contribution to the revolution of 1878 is commemorated every year with a military and student parade.
IOANNIS SAKELLARIDIS
(1853 – 1938)
Ioannis Sakellaridis, who came from Litochoro, was an excellent music teacher, cantor, philologist and musician. With a long presence in the Archdiocese and Parishes of Athens and Piraeus, he contributed significantly to the development of Byzantine music. He created a special system of church music and left his mark through important discoveries regarding the relations of Byzantine music with ancient Greek. His discoveries are the result of his double training, musical and philological. His contribution also lies in the creation of a new aesthetic in contemporary Greek Orthodox church music. In 1992, the "Ioannis Sakellaridis" Municipal Choir was founded in Litochoro, an organization that continues to preserve and transmit the cultural heritage of this outstanding musician.
VASILIOS ITHAKESIOS
(1877 – 1977)
Vasilios Ithakisios was born in Akrotiri of Mytilene on February 26, 1877. Although his origin was from Ithaca, his father settled permanently in Mytilene, where he worked as a shipbuilder. Although his family was connected to the sea, Ithakisios chose to pursue the art of painting. For twenty years he lived in a cave on Olympus, which was pointed out to him by Christos Kakkalos, a well-known Litochorite. There he named the place "Asylum of the Muses" and lived his solitude, influenced by the landscape and the beauty of Olympus. Although he did not adhere to any particular school of art, his inspiration came from the eternal spring of Olympus. In his last years, he lived in the nursing home "Melathron Nursing Home", but he always longed for Olympus. At the age of 100, during a hallucination, he tried to see Olympus again from the window of his room and fell to his death. His love for Olympus made him refer to Litochoro as "my village". In 1960 he was declared an honorary citizen of Litochoro. Today, the Municipal Art Gallery of Litochoro bears his name, being a tribute to an artist who loved and captured Olympus with his art.
CHRISTOS KAKKALOS
(1879 – 1976)
The ascent of Mount Olympus is a tale woven with threads of adventure, perseverance, and reverence for the natural world. At the heart of this narrative stands Christos Kakkalos, a native of Litochoro whose affinity for the mountain was nurtured from childhood. Growing up amidst Olympus' rugged slopes, Kakkalos honed his skills as a walker and hunter, forging an intimate bond with the mountain's wild beauty. In 1913, he played a pivotal role in guiding Swiss climbers Frédéric Boissonnas and Daniel Baud-Bovy on their historic expedition to conquer Olympus. Despite formidable obstacles and adverse weather, Kakkalos led the team to the summit, unveiling the mountain's breathtaking vistas. His unwavering commitment to mountaineering endured throughout his lifetime, with his exploration of Olympus' trails and peaks leaving an enduring legacy. Kakkalos' passing in 1976 marked the end of an era, yet his memory lives on as a testament to his stature as one of Olympus' most revered climbers.
KOSTIS MOSKOF
(1939 – 1998)
Kostis Moskov was a versatile personality, a man who excelled in many areas of creativity and public service. Born in Thessaloniki in 1939, he came from a family with a multicultural background, which was enhanced by his studies in France and his civic involvement both locally and nationally. Moskov was resourceful, with a studied interest in history, literature, sociology and politics. His works in these fields are important texts for Greek intellectual heritage and social memory. As a politician, he had an important presence in Thessaloniki, where he served in the municipal government and as mayor, while he also had a presence at the national level through his political activity with the KKE. At the same time, his activity as a journalist in radio stations and newspapers is another aspect of his varied work. Kostis Moskov leaves behind a rich legacy, not only in the field of literature and journalism, but also in the field of politics and public service. His sacrifice and dedication to the modernization and progress of his society set an example for future generations.
DIMITRIS BOUNDOLAS
(1953 – 1985)
Dimitris Boutolas emerged as one of the leading Greek climbers of his generation, with a legendary career that unfortunately came to an early end in the Himalayas. Born in Litochoro in 1953, from a young age he showed his talent and passion for mountaineering, incorporating his physical endurance and skills into the world of mountaineering and climbing. Boudola's portrait highlights a man dedicated to hiking and mountaineering, a personality who launched his fame beyond the Greek borders. With hundreds of mountaineering ascents on various mountains in Greece and abroad, as well as his participation in various rescue missions and operations in the Alps and Olympus, he gained an international reputation as one of the most experienced and reliable climbers of his time. The tragic end of his life in the Himalayas highlights his sacrifice and dedication to the exploration and challenge of the high peaks. Despite his untimely death, Dimitris Boudola's legacy continues to inspire young climbers and highlight the spirit of adventure and quest that characterized his life.
FREDERIC BOISSONAS
(1858 – 1946)
At the end of the 17th century and especially at the beginning of the 18th century, Olympus began to attract the first researchers and explorers. Geologists, botanists, topographers and alpinists arrived at this mythical mountain in order to explore its secrets and conquer its peaks. The historic moment comes with the end of the Balkan Wars in July 1913, when Christos Kakkalos and two Swiss climbers, the photographer Frédéric Boissonnas and Daniel Baud-Bovy, begin the attempt to conquer the summit. Frederic Boissonnas, born in philhellenic Geneva in 1858, is one of the greatest photographers of his time. With his friend Daniel Baud-Bovy they set out in 1903 on a photography expedition to Greece, and in 1913 they reached Olympus to document the epic ascent. The team started their journey on July 29, 1913 and reached the summit on August 2. This achievement was a historic event, marking the first time man had reached the highest peak of Olympus. This climb, along with Boissonnas' photographs and exhibitions, gave great prominence to Olympus and the mountain's mountaineering history.