Me and my culture

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.