PIERIA

General Information

With no lesser spectacle of nature, mythology and history than the legendary Mount Olympus, the prefecture of Pieria is a place of affluent mythological and historical past. It is also the proper place for vacation at any season of the year, since it combines harmoniously the beauty of mountainous landscapes with seaside charms. The entire eastern side of the Prefecture stretches along the Thermaikos Gulf, while to the north and to the west it borders with the prefecture of Imathia and the Pieria Mountains accordingly. The eastern border is a vast coastline with numerous beaches and seaside resorts. In addition to these, Pieria also features two exceptionally important archaeological sites, those of Dion and Pydna, both ancient cities of great significance. Its population is about 115000 residents, while its extent covers 1500 sq.km.

History - Culture

The rich mythological tradition of Pieria stems from Mount Olympus, home of the Olympian Pantheon, and the Muses. According to myth, there was a spring near Mt. Olympus, the Pierian Spring, from which the water of learning and of the arts sprung forth. This Holy Place was the birthplace of the Seven Muses, each of which gifted favored humans with the blessing of their arts. Ancient artists and poets acknowledged these gifts, praying and invoking the Muses. First and foremost, Homer begins his Iliad by summoning the Muse in his first verse. Pieria was densely inhabited in the Bronze Age. In antiquity, Dion became a noted religious centre, a place of worship for Olympian Zeus with a temple dedicated to him situated on the foot of Mount Olympus, close to the village of Malathria. Macedonian King Archelaus held magnificent festivities there with theatrical and musical games dedicated to the Muses. Dion was the place where Alexander the Great had offered up sacrifices before he set off for his spectacular conquest of Asia. In addition to Dion, some of the most significant ancient cities in the region are Herakleion, close to Platamonas, Methoni, where Philip II of Macedonia ?father to Alexander the Great- lost his eye in a battle, and Pydna, where Roman legions under the skillful command of Aemilius Paulus defeated the forces ?including the undefeated phalanx- of Perseus, the last king of Macedonia. Strategically situated in control of the passages to Thessaly and to southern Greece, Pieria suffered many attacks during the Byzantine years. During this period, the impressive castle of Platamonas was built on the site of ancient Herakleion. Alas, in 1389, the Turks conquered Kitros, a political and religious centre of the region. However, since the 16th century, Mount Olympus and the Pieria Mountains served as bases for the operations of Greek revolutionaries, and Pieria was finally liberated in 1912, rejoining the Greek nation after long centuries of foreign domination. 

Sights

The land of Pieria is richly gifted with astounding natural beauty and a long, eventful history. One of the largest and most organized cities of the Neolithic Period, which flourished between 5300-4500 BC, has been unearthed here, revealing numerous items which shed light onto an age of man over which still many questions remain unanswered. In the capital of Katerini there are many Byzantine churches and an ancient tomb,  while the plane tree forest, a marvelous natural setting situated 7km away from the capital, is worth visiting. In Aghios Dimitrios, a village built on a plateau between Mount Olympus and the Pieria Mountains, a cemetery of the 14th-12th century BC has been discovered, while from here one can also see the impressive Gorge of Mount Olympus. Ancient Dion is one of the most significant sights. Here used to lie the most important temple in Macedonia, the temple of Zeus, which was as significant as the temple of Zeus in Olympia for southern Greece. Excavations revealed part of the city and the temples, a Macedonian tomb and a cemetery of the Bronze Age. In Korinos, a cemetery of the 4th century BC and the ruins of a Byzantine city can be seen. Litochoro, built on the slopes of Olympus, is ideal for gazing at the divine mountain and setting off for explorations and trekking routes. The valley from which a river descends from Mount Olympus and disappears into swallow-holes is simply fascinating, while there are many tourist stands with breathtaking view. The site of noted ancient Pydna is close to Makrygialos, and in Neos Panteleimonas one can visit the Venetian castle of the 11th century, which stands nearly intact, impervious to the withering of age. The Frankish castle of 1201 is also worth visiting. The evergreen mountainous landscapes and the wonderful beaches are a sight by themselves, and choosing between treading the mountain passes which once led to the home of the Olympian Gods and to the whereabouts of the Muses and diving into the crystal waters of the Aegean Sea is a difficult choice indeed.

Entertainment-Sports-Shopping

Pieria, offering a series of spectacular monuments within an incomparable natural setting, ideal for any kind of activity, is a tourist?s paradise. The infrastructure of the prefecture is up to the challenge, never disappointing even the most demanding visitors. The capital of Katerini can accommodate and entertain a large number of visitors with its abundance of hotels, rooms-to-let, restaurants, taverns, grill houses, fish taverns, coffee shops, cinemas, discos, bars, dance clubs, and live music clubs. Besides, a wide variety of the above mentioned facilities is offered in Korinos and of course, in every seaside resort, where the visitor can find anything he could ask for right beside the amazing beaches. Thus, in Leptokarya, Litochoro, Makrygialos, Platamonas, and Neoi Poroi, visitors have at their disposal quality hotels, camping sites, rooms-to-let and every entertainment alternative in quantity, while Pieria is renowned for its seafood and fish taverns. All of these can also be found in Methoni, Nea Agathoupolis, Neos Panteleimonas and Skotina, though in a somehow smaller scale, but with tranquility in return. Needless to say, the markets throughout the region are rich and shopping places cover the needs of even the most demanding visitors. As for sports, there are basketball, volleyball and tennis courts in Katerini and Litochoro, a swimming pool and a yachting club in Katerini, while water sports equipment is available on almost every beach. Moreover, Mount Olympus and Pieria Mountains are ideal for mountain climbing, trekking and mountain exploration in general, with four and two refuges available on each respectively, safe havens for climbers and trekkers when the weather becomes menacing.

Access

There are bus services carried out from Athens and Thessaloniki to Katerini. Trains depart from Athens and Thessaloniki to different destinations in Pieria.

Connections

There is a daily bus connection with Larissa. Trains departing from Katerini link Larissa, Volos, Serres, Drama, Xanthi, Komotini and Alexandroupolis.

Museums

In Katerini there is a museum housing relics of the history of the people originating from Black Sea. In both the archaeological sites of Dion and Pydna, there are impressive Archaeological Museums.

Alternative Tourism

Ecotourism, agrotourism, archaeology, spiritual, cultural, canyoning, sporting (mountain climbing, mountain bike, trekking, ski, water sports, sailing, yachting).

Useful Telephone Numbers:

KATERINI AREA CODE:  23510-

POLICE STATION  : 23510-46622, 46624

PORT POLICE: 23510-61209

MUNICIPALITY: 23510-24444

TAXI STATION: 23510-36888, 31222

HOSPITAL: 23510-57200

BUS STATION: 23510-23313

PHARMACIES: 23510-35492, 23364, 39662, 38767