Our region

Pieria

Our school is located in Katerini, which is the capital of the prefecture of Pieria. Pieria is located about 80 km (50 mi) southwest from Thessaloniki, Greece's second largest city. Pieria combines places of natural beauty and historical interest, breathtaking views of the Mount Olympus and wonderful beaches.

Click here to see a video of Pieria Prefecture

Mount Olympus is the highest mounain in Greece, located in the Olympus Range on the border between Thessaly and Macedonia,Mount Olympus has 52 peaks. The highest peak Mytikas, meaning "nose", rises to 2,917 metres (9,570 ft). It is one of the highest peaks in Europe .

Most climbs to Mount Olympus start from the town of Litochoro, which took the name City of Gods because of its location on the roots of the mountain. A local from Litochoro, Christos Kakalos, became the first to reach the Mytikas summit on 2 August 1913. From there a road goes to Prionia, where the hike begins at the bottom of the mountain. It is estimated that 10,000 people climb Mount Olympus each year.

LITOCHORO

Litochoro is a village located at the base of Mount Olympusis ,22 km south of Katerini. It is a popular destination for those wishing to climb Mount Olympus as almost all climbing routes begin to the southwest of the town.

Litochoro  is a village of mythological fame as the home of the twelve gods of Olympus.




Palaios Panteleimonas

Palaios Panteleimonas is a mountain village of the former municipality of East Olympos. Palaios Panteleimonas is located 43 km from Katerini and it is just 6 km from the village and beach of Neos Panteleimonas, where there are also many possibilities for accommodation, dining, entertainment and tourist information. Τhe view of the Thermaikos Gulf from the area, is unique. The path to the village and the surrounding area is rich of fauna of the lower Mount Olympus, with forest of chestnut, oak and arbutus. You can also watch the summer of cultural events of the International Olympus Festival of Castle of Platamon.

                                     THE  PLATAMON  CASTLE
  

The Byzantine castle of Platamon is one of the finest and best preserved castles in Greece which is situated on the southeast foot of mountain Olympus on a hill overlooking the sea, a position that has commanded the shortest route between Macedonia and Thessaly since ancient times. It was built in 1204 A.C. Inside the castle there are two churches from the Middle Byzantine period and Early Christian period. The tower of the castle is very high and the architecture of the walls is excellent. From the tower the view is perfect. You can see the mountain of Gods Olympus, the sea (Thermaikos gulf) and if the weather is clear you can see Halkidiki.

The ancient city of Dion

Dion  is located at the foot of Mount Olympus,15 km. SW of Katerini. It is best known for its archaeological site and the Archaeological Museum of Dion.

The village owes its name to the important sanctuary dedicated to Zeus (Dias, "of Zeus"), leader of the gods who dwelt on Mount Olympus. Dion was the "sacred place" of the Ancient Macedonians. From very ancient times, a large altar had been set up for the worship of Olympian Zeus and his daughters, the Muses, in a unique environment characterized by rich vegetation, towering trees, countless springs and a navigable river.

 In the 5th century BC, when the Macedonian state acquired great power and emerged onto the stage of history, brilliant athletic and theatrical contests, the "Olympian Games of Dion", were organized there.Alexander assembled his armies in Dion before beginning his westward wars of conquest.

Isis holding ears of corn

The statue of Zeus

Hydraulis-ancient musical instrument

Click here to see a video on the Archaeological Museum of Dion created by our students

Our region

Our school is located in Katerini, which is the capital of the prefecture of Pieria. Pieria combines places of natural beauty and historical interest, breathtaking views of the Mount Olympus and wonderful beaches.

Mount Olympus is the highest mounain in Greece, located in the Olympus Range on the border between Thessaly and Macedonia, about 80 km (50 mi) southwest from Thessaloniki, Greece's second largest city. Mount Olympus has 52 peaks. The highest peak Mytikas, meaning "nose", rises to 2,917 metres (9,570 ft). It is one of the highest peaks in Europe .

Most climbs to Mount Olympus start from the town of Litochoro, which took the name City of Gods because of its location on the roots of the mountain. A local from Litochoro, Christos Kakalos, became the first to reach the Mytikas summit on 2 August 1913. From there a road goes to Prionia, where the hike begins at the bottom of the mountain. It is estimated that 10,000 people climb Mount Olympus each year, most of them reaching only the Skolio summit.

LITOCHORO

Litochoro is a town and a former municipality in the southern part of the Pieria regional unit, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Dio-Olympos, of which it is the seat and a municipal unit.It is located at the base of Mount Olympus, on the western shore of the Thermaic Gulf.. The town is a popular destination for those wishing to climb Mount Olympus as almost all climbing routes begin to the southwest of the town.

Litochoro is located 22 km S of Katerini, It is a village of mythological fame as the home of the twelve gods of Olympus.


 Palaios Panteleimonas is a mountain village of the former municipality of East Olympos. Palaios Panteleimonas is located 43 km from Katerini and it is just 6 km from the village and beach of Neos Panteleimonas, where there are also many possibilities for accommodation, dining, entertainment and tourist information. Τhe view of the Thermaikos Gulf from the area, is unique. The path to the village and the surrounding area is rich of fauna of the lower Mount Olympus, with forest of chestnut, oak and arbutus. You can also watch the summer of cultural events of the International Olympus Festival of Castle of Platamon.

Christmas Traditions In Greece

Christmas Traditions in Greece

Greece is a country where traditions and customs are a part of everyday life. Most holidays in Greece are celebrated traditionally, and Christmas is no exception..
                                

Christmas Carols
                                      
The custom is that children go from house to house singing the carol, with the accompaniment of a triangle, and residents of the houses give them a small amount of money. Greek Christmas carols (calanda) are sung on the mornings of Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve and January 5, the Eve of the Epiphany.

Greek Byzantine Carols 
(performed by the students of the Music School of Katerini)

                                Click on the photo below to listen to the carols

Kalikanzaroi (Trolls)


According to tradition, during the Greek 12 days of Christmas (December 25 to January 6), goblins come out to tease people and eat their food. This tradition is based on the legend that the "waters aren't christened" since Christ has not yet been baptized. The goblins are renowned for their ugliness and their impishness. They are not very intelligent and can't really hurt anybody. It is said that they enter houses through during the 12 days of Christmas.

Pomegranate
In many parts of Greece, people hang a pomegranate above the front door of their house. By the New Year, when the fruit will have dried, Greeks throw it on the ground so it breaks, and step into their house on their right foot. According to tradition, this brings good luck for the year to come.

Christmas boat (karavaki)

The Christmas Boat (Karavaki- Little ship) is part of a very old Greek tradition. It comes from the Islands where each year children go door to door singing ‘kalanda’ (Christmas Carols) and they carry small wooden boats. Some claim that this custom’s roots are linked with the December 6th Celebration of Agios Nikolas (Saint Nicholas) who is the Patron Saint of Sailors in Greece.

Saint Basil (Agios Vasilios)

 Santa Claus in Greece is called St Basil.  St Basil is known for his kindness and generosity. People say that he helped the poor and left gifts for children while they were sleeping. Greeks often exchange gifts on New year’s Eve rather on Christmas day. 

                     


Christmas Food in Greece

Christmas, like many other holidays in Greece, is a time for feasting. In the past years, Christmas turkey has become very popular as the main dish of the holiday. Traditionally, the main course of Christmas dinner in Greece is roast pork, with a variety of side delicacies. No matter what the main dish is, one thing is certain: Christmas food in Greece is delicious!

Melomakarona and kourabiedes are the two varieties of Christmas and New Year's cookies in Greece. The first are semolina, cinnamon, and clove cookies drenched in honey, while the second are rosewater and fresh butter cookies sprinkled with powdered sugar that are normally served on New Year's but many succumb to temptation and begin consuming them earlier.

Christopsomo is the bread that is made on Christmas Eve, which has a cross carved into the top crust before it is baked. On Christmas Day, the head of the household makes the sign of the cross above the loaf of bread, cuts it and gives a piece to each person at the dining table.

Vasilopita is a cake that is eaten on New Year's Day. Before the cake is baked, a coin covered in foil is placed in it. The New Year is written on top of the cake. The person who cuts the cake makes the sign of the cross three times above it and then starts serving the pieces, one to each person, the house, Christ, The Virgin Mary and Saint Vasileios. Whoever has the coin in his piece of cake will have luck for the rest of the year.