PIERIA
This is the region where you can combine your
mountain holiday with a vacation by the sea. Not only will you find the Thermaic coast
enchanting, you'll admire Olympos, the mountain of the gods. Pieria is thickly
forested, with plane trees, pines, poplars and firs on Olympos. The capital of this
prefecture, Katerini, lies between the plain of Pieria and Mt. Olympos. Some 32 km.
southwest of Katerini, the village of Agios Dimitrios is built on a plateau where there
are water and trees galore.The road to Stena tis Petra, the pass to Thessaly, is truly
exciting, as is a walk up the impressive Olympos Gorge.
At Dion, 17 km. south of Katerini,
archaeologists have brought to light the extensive ruins of the Macedonians' sanctuary of
the gods. Amidst the lush vegetation and springs of the Pierian plain, just before the
ascent to Olympos begins, one can see the ruins of the sanctuary buildings - the temples,
two theatres and a stadium - while next to them, to the north, the remains of the ancient
city of Dion stretch out. It was closely associated to Zeus as its name implies (in Greek
the god is called Dias). Thousands of Macedonians used to flock to this place for the
festivities and games dedicated to the god, which grew in importance after the 5th century
B.C. Among the sacred buildings, the following are the most natable: the sanctuary of
Demeter, two temples dating to c. 500 B.C., the Asklepieion, and the whole shrine
dedicated to Isis, with its idols still standing on their bases.
The city of Dion was well
fortified by the wall erected in the 4th century B.C., and it had a splendid layout. The
digs have exposed flagstone streets, public buildings, shops, workshops, and houses, as
well as the orchestra, stage and lower seats of Dion's large theatre. In the vast
cemetery, to the north and west of Dion, there are four subterranean, brick-roofed
Macedonian tombs. In the 5th century A.D. violent earthquakes brought an end to the city's
prosperity. Nevertheless, enough remains of it to give today's visitor a good idea of the
beauty of the town with its ample public spaces, theatre, numerous statues, and impressive
fortifications.
To go back to the present,
Leptokaria (23 km. from Katerini) has a lovely beach long enough to attract crowds of
Greek and foreign tourists each summer. Other seaside resorts are Methoni, Nea Agathoupoli
with its splendid fishmarket, Agios Panteleimonas with its Venetian castle, Platamonas
with its sandy beaches, and Makrigialos with the ruins of ancient Pydna. Finally, on the
slopes of Olympos, is the small town of Litohoro (24 km. from Katerini), an old summer
resort and the starting point for those wishing to climb the legendary mountain. The
enchanting valley of Enipeas with its river coming down from Olympos is worth visiting.
Dion, Archaeological site, tel: 0351/53206.
Dion, Museum, housing a unique sculpture collection.
Olympos ski centre, bordering on Thessaly, tel: 0493/22261; reached via Olympiada,
20 km. parking lot and ski tow, 1.140 m., capacity 850 people per hour, refuge, highest
altitude 2.400 m., lowest 1.900 m. There is one slope for average skiers served by a lift.
Olympos: Refuge at Stavros, alt. 1.000 m., 1 hour
30 min. walk from Litohoro. Sleeps 40 people, spring water, kitchen, electric heating,
fireplace, shower, beds, mattresses, blankets. Information and keys: EOS (Alpine Society)
Thessaloniki, tel: 031/278288.
On the borders with Thessaly there are three more refuges:
a) Spilios Agapitos, 22 km. from Litohoro, on the mountain, 2 hours 30 min. walk from
Prionia, which can be reached by car. 100 beds, mattresses, blankets, rain water cister,
electric fireplace, heating and kitchen. In summer, as small restaurants is open. Tel:
0352/81329.
b) Vrissopoules, on the east side of the mountain, alt. 1.900 m. The road to the refuge is
open all year. Sleeps 50 people, has ski lift. Information, EOH (Skiing Society) Athens.
c) Hristos Kakalos, 1 hour 30 min., walk from the refuge alt. 2.760 m., sleeps 15 people,
rain water cistern, gas cooker, heating, beds, mattresses, blankets. Information and keys,
tel: 0352/81329.
Pieria: Ano Milia, alt. 1.000 m., 5.5 km. from Messea Milia and 25.5 km. from
Katerini. Accommodates 70 people, spring water, electricity, heating, kitchen and gas
cooker, fireplace, 52 beds, mattresses and blankets, shower. Information and keys, tel:
(EOS Katerini), 0351/23102.
