THE WIDER AREA

 The Prefecture of Pieria presents great archeological and historic interest, since its historic course extends from the Neolithic settlement of Makrygialos, to Ancient Pydna and Ancient Dion, the castle of Platamonas to Byzantine and post-Byzantine monuments.

LITOCHORO

 It constitutes the second biggest municipality of Pieria Prefecture, in terms of population (approx. 7,000 inhabitants), at its southern part and is at 92 km from Salonica and at 22 km from Katerini. To the east lies the beach of Litochoro, which boasts remarkable tourist infrastructure.

 Despite the big development of the municipality in the last decades, Litochoro remains today one of the most characteristic samples of Macedonian architecture. There are also few but important neoclassic architectural specimens, which belonged mostly to local seamen, who wanted to transfer the splendor of big Mediterranean ports to their birthplace.

 The first recorded reference to Litochoro was when St. Dionysios visited the area in the 16th century and founded to the northwest the Holy Monastery of St. Dionysios of Olympus. Since then, Litochoro and the Monastery followed a common historic course.

 ΄΄Chorostasi΄΄, with its centennial plane, is the area where, according to tradition, preached St. Kosmas Aetolos, while, later on, next to the little church dedicated to his memory, feasts were held. During Turkish domination, a Secret School (Krifo Scholio) functioned in the church of Ste. Solomoni.

CHRISTIAN MONUMENTS

 Monastery dedicated to the Presentation of the Mother of God of Petra. This monastery located near the village of Petra dates back to the 11th century. In the past, it constituted seat of the diocese.

 The country church of Ste. Kori is located at the foot of Mt. Olympus near Vrontou, in a sheer drop. It is dedicated to an unknown wonder-working Saint woman martyr, who lived during the Turkish Domination period. 

 Church of the Saint Trinity -Vrontou: A church of the 14th century built on a cliff at 420 m. It is located at the exit of Papas flume, near the village of Vrontou. The church is adorned with two frescoes, the most recent of which dates back to the 17th century.

 The church of St. Athanasios at Ano Skotina is a building of the 17th century and bears an exquisitely painted interior. A series of scenes from the Old and the New Testaments adorn the church, and a large synthesis of the Last Judgment, the narthex. The wooden temple is characteristic.

 The country church of Metamorphosis Sotira at the areas of Skotina with its renowned frescoes.

 The Monastery of Panagia Kanalon is located 8 km to the east of Karya village, in the valley of Ziliana. It is dedicated to the birth of the Mother of God. According to tradition, it was founded around the 11th century. It is a Metochion of the Monastery of St. Dionysios.

 Monastery of the Saint Trinity of Sparmos. At the exit of Mavratza flume and at an altitude of 1,020 m. is located the male Holy Monastery of the Saint Trinity of Sparmos which bloomed in the early 18th century.

 The monastery of St. Georgios is located in the village of Ritini and constitutes a Metochion of the Monastery of St. Dionysios. It is a post - Byzantine monument with important hagiographies of the 14th and 16th centuries. According to popular evidence, it constituted a shelter for the fighters during the Macedonian Struggle.

 At the area of Litochoro, one can also find the following notable country churches of Ste. Marina, the Assumption of the Mother of God, Ste. Paraskevi, St. Apostoli, Prophet Elias, St. John Theologos, the Birthday of the Mother of God (Panagia papa-Nechtari), the old church of Ste. Solomoni (Metochion of the Holy Monastery of. St. Dionysios), etc. 

ANCIENT AND MEDIEVAL MONUMENTS

 On the slopes of Mt. Olympus, one can visit the ancient cities of Dion, Pimblia and Livithra, as well as the castle of Platamonas, which has been built on the ancient city of Heraklia.

ANCIENT DION

At the foot of Mt. Olympus and at just 5 km from the coasts of Pieria, is located the ancient city of Dion, the sacred city of the Macedonians. The archeological findings ascertain that Dion has covered a life span of 1,000 years, from the 5th century BC to the 5th century AD.

The Macedonians came together at Dion to honor at regular intervals the Olympian gods through sacrifices and votive offerings. The epilogue of the city was written in the 5th century AD, following destructive earthquakes, floods and other disasters. Today, the city΄s archeological museum exhibits the excavations΄findings. In the summer, the Festival of Olympus is organized at the ancient theater of Dion.

LIVITHRA-PIMBLIA-LIDIRA

It is speculated that Lidira, Pimblia and Livithra, cities associated with the Orpheus΄ life and death, were located in the area of Skotina.

Livithra and Pimblia were located at the foot of Mt. Olympus and the northern part of Skotina. Walls, built by king Arhelaos of Macedonia, in the late 5th century BC, have been discovered.

According to tradition, either Livithra, or the neighboring city of Pimblia, are considered to be Orpheus΄ birthplace. The most ancient mystic ceremonies may have been held here. Ruins of an ancient city, most probably Lidira, were discovered at the coast of Skotina.

THE CASTLE OF PLATAMON

It is a fortress-town of the middle Byzantine period (10th century AD). It lies at the southeastern foot of Mt. Olympus, at the place of the ancient city of Heraklia. Its tower, dominating the national road, is an impressive medieval fort.