PIERIA
Pieria is one of the regional units of Greece located in the southern part of the Region of Central Macedonia, within the historical province of Macedonia. Its capital is the town of Katerini. Pieria is the smallest regional unit within Macedonia. The name Pieria originates from the ancient Pieres tribe. In Pieria, there are many sites of archeological interest, such as Dion, Pydna, Leivithra and Platamonas. Pieria is also home to Mt. Pierus from which Hermes takes flight in order to visit Calypso, home to Orpheus and the Muses, as well as the Pierian Spring. Mt. Olympus, the highest mountain in Greece and throne of the ancient Greek gods, is located in the southern part of Pieria. Other ancient cities included Leibethra and Pimpleia.
MOUNT OLYMPUS
Olympus is the highest mountain in Greece, known worldwide, as according to the Greek mythology, it was the residence of the Twelve ancient Greek Gods. In the eastern foothills of Mount Olympus in Pieria, the mythological tradition placed the nine Muses, patrons of the Fine Arts and daughters of Zeus. Olympus mountain stands impressively between Macedonia and Thessaly. In 1938 was declared as the first national park in Greece. Olympus is undoubtedly the most popular mountain in Greece.
The impressive height, the legendary charm and the easy accessibility make Olympus an attractive destination for thousands of visitors. Nature lovers visit Olympus from all over the world to admire the charm of the nature and enjoy hiking to the slopes and the peaks. The roads and the paths that cross the mountain, give the opportunity even to the non experienced hikers to see the flora and fauna and the natural beauty of Olympus. The most important path is the European trail E4, running west from Litochoro to the mountain peaks through the canyon of Enipeas. Also there is the National Trail O2, joining the Olympus peaks with the southern Pelion.
DION
On the slopes of Olympus, a mere 5 km from the beaches of Pieria, Ancient Dion, the Holy City of Macedonia was found under a covering of undergrowth and water. This city had been a thriving centre of civilization from the time of its foundation for a period of 1,000 years from the 5th c, BC to the 5th c, AD.
We learn from Ancient Greek writers that the Macedonians regularly gathered in Dion to worship the Gods of Olympus, and to make sacrificial offerings, as can be seen from the objects found on the site. It was here that King Archelaos organized athletic competitions and theatrical events, and Philip the Second celebrated his victories at Dion, as did Alexander.
It was here that Alexander gathered together his troops to prepare for his journeys of conquest, worshipping Zeus, King of the Gods of Olympus. In the temple of the Gods of Olympus was a magnificent bronze statue created by Lissippos, which depicted the 25 horsemen who died at the Battle of Granikos.
During the reign of Philip the 5th after a disastrous invasion, the Aetolians ransacked the city. At the Battle of Pydna, 168 BC, the death of Perseas, last King of Macedonia, brought an end to the Macedonian Dynasty. Dion became integrated into the Roman colony during the reign of Augustus.
The second peak of the city came during the Roman occupation in the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD, when it became "reborn" as a Greek city. The final days of Dion were written when it was destroyed by an earthquake and floods in the 5th c AD. The terrified citizens of the city took flight and sought refuge on the higher slopes of Olympus.
PLATAMONAS CASTLE
The castle is at the location of the ancient city of Heraclia. The name "Platamon" appears for the first time in an imperial order of 1198 but, most probably, there was already a Byzantine castle there, since the 10th century.
After the fall of Constantinople during the 4th Crusade in 1204, Platamon came under the jurisdiction of Boniface of Montferrat, king of Thessaloniki who gave it to the Lombard knight Rolando Piska. He is the one who rebuilt the castle on top of the old ruined construction.
The castle soon became Byzantine again. In 1218, it was captured by the despot of Epirus Theodoros Aggelos and after the battle of Pelagonia (1259), by Michail Paleologos of Nikea who later became the Byzantine emperor.
The Turks captured the castle in 1385 and paid much attention to its maintenance because they needed the castle to control the strategically important area. After a short break between 1425 and 1427, when the Venetians managed to conquer the castle, the Turks returned and stayed until the beginning of the 20th century.
During World War II, in April 1941, a unit of New Zealanders tried to defend Platamon but forced to leave after the bombardment of the castle by the Germans. www.kastra.eu
OLYMPUS RIVIERA
The coast of Pieria is unique because of the vast expanses of sandy beaches that you can find there.
They extend for over 70 kms. from the resort of Nei Pori, skirting the fringes of the mythical slopes of Mount Olympus, right up to the village of Methoni and the wetlands surrounding the mouth of the River Aliakmonas. Wide beaches of unspoilt natural beauty, with rich golden stretches of sand interspersed with pebbles and cool groves of pine, lead down to the peaceful blue waters of the warm inviting sea.
North Pieria: Methoni, Agios Giannis, Makrigialos, Pydna, Alikes Kitros
Central Pieria: Korinos, Paralia, Olympus Riviera
South Pieria: Variko, Gritsa, Plaka Litochoru, Leptokaria, Skotina, Panteleimonas, Platamonas, Nei Pori
METEORA
The Metéora is one of the largest and most important complexes of Greek Orthodoxmonasteries in Greece, second only to Mount Athos. On the 14th century where built thirty monasteries but only six of them are still functioning. These six monasteries are built on 400m high natural sandstone rock pillars, at the northwestern edge of the Plain of Thessaly near the Pineios river and Pindus Mountains, in central Greece. The nearest town is Kalambaka. The Metéora is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
VERGINA
Vergina is located 30 km north of Elatochori. The archaeological site of Vergina is very close to Aiges, the capital of ancient Macedonia. The town of Vergina became world famous when the excavations by archaeologist Manolis Andronikos unearthed very important discoveries, including the tomb of Philip II, the father of Alexander the Great. The most important attraction is the Vergina Royal Tombs of the ancient necropolis of Aiges. A museum has been built to host world-class treasures.The entire cemetery of royal tombs is protected by a building that has the external form of a tomb and in the interior maintains stable levels temperature and humidity. While entering the museum of Vergina, the dark environment contrasts with the glow of the golden exhibits causing emotions of awe to the visitors. The most important exhibit in the museum of Vergina is the golden urn with the Macedonian star containing bones of Philip II and his golden crown worn by the dead man. The archaeological site of Vergina includes of the ancient theater, the Temple of Eukleia and the Palace. In 1996, UNESCO announced the integration of the archaeological site of Vergina in the list of UNESCO World Heritage.
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