Psiloritis is deeply entwined with the birth and deeds of immortal gods. On the slopes of Mount Ida, Rhea, pursued by Cronus, hid the Cretan-born Zeus, and the mythical goat Amaltheia nursed the future king of the Olympian pantheon.Here, the Curetes clashed their shields in rhythmic frenzy to muffle the cries of the divine infant destined to become the father of gods and humankind.

Just above the Nida Plateau, the Idaean Cave was a major cult centre of Cretan-born Zeus and was rightly described as the Bethlehem of antiquity. According to the ancient myth, Zeus, transformed into a bull, crossed the Lethaios River and carried Europa to the island of Crete, finally reaching ancient Gortyna. Here lies the Labyrinth, within whose winding corridors the Minotaur once dwelled.

invader. This mythical being is linked to the mountain masses of the TaleaOri Mountains, which extend north of Psiloritis. In the Gerontospilios Cave of Melidoni, Talaios Hermes was worshipped.

Since the time of its earliest habitation, this sacred mountain has shaped the destiny of its people, who were nurtured by myths and who, in turn, created history.