Do you want to experience a trip to ancient Macedonia? Do you want to walk where Zeus and the other gods of Mythology lived? Then you should visit Dion and the highest mountain in Greece, Olympus.
The city of Dion is mentioned for the first time in the description of the march of the Spartan general Brasidas from Thessaly to the country of his friend, king of Macedonia, Perdicus II. It was the first city Brasidas encountered after crossing the border in the summer of 424 BC. Towards the end of the 5th century BC according to the same author, Archelaus ascended the throne of Macedonia who reorganized the state, strengthened the central authority, built roads and fortresses and modernized the army. In Dion, according to Diodorus and other writers, the same king organized, in honor of Olympian Zeus and the Muses who were worshiped there, athletic and theatrical competitions lasting nine days. The theatrical performances staged there would certainly include the dramas “Archelaus” and “Bacchus” composed by Euripides in the last years of his life at the Macedonian court. Dion the Chrysostom testifies that Philip and Alexander used to celebrate after their victories in Dion with magnificent sacrifices to Zeus and the Muses as well as the Olympian games.
The holy city of Macedonia
During the reign of Archelaus, Macedonia saw great growth. The defeat of the Athenians in Sicily allowed him to recover parts of the region, which the Athenians had previously captured. Dion, the sacred center of the Macedonians, became a second Olympia. Macedonians used to gather there to honor the Olympian gods, above all Zeus, from whom the city got its name. At the court of Archelaus, great intellectuals of the time gathered, among whom was Euripides.
The death of Archelaus was followed by many years of insecurity and uncertainty until the moment when Philip II took power in his hands.
According to Diodorus, Alexander made the solemn preparations for his great campaign in Dion with brilliant sacrifices to father Olympias, with games and with brilliant receptions in his hundred-bed tent. Many ancient writers speak of the masterpiece of Lysippus which was commissioned by Alexander and erected in Dion. They represented the 25 mounted partners who fell in the battle of Granikos. Metellus later moved the bronze statues to Rome. Alexander’s special love for Dion can also be seen from his wish, recorded in his will, to build a luxurious temple of Zeus there.
In the years of Philip V there was a destructive invasion of the Aetolians in Dion, described by Polybius. General Scopas razed the city’s walls, houses and gymnasium, burned the arcades and other facilities in the temple of Zeus and smashed the statues of the Macedonian kings to the ground. The city was rebuilt and, when in 169 BC. His Highness M. Philippos understood it, admired its fortifications, the public buildings and the multitude of statues. This is what Titus Livius informs us, adding that the Roman emperor showed great respect towards the sanctuary of Zeus, personally taking care of its protection from the hands of the soldiers.
The last reference to Dion dates back to the 10th century. A.D. and it is done in the work of Constantinos Porphyrogennetos <<On Subjects>>.
Archaeological Site of Dion
The Archaeological Park of Dion is the most important archaeological site on Mount Olympus in Greece, located in Dion. In the area that includes the Archaeological Park of Dion, sanctuaries from the Hellenistic and Roman periods were found. The park highlights the importance of ancient Zeus in the history of Pieria. Some of the findings of the excavations that you can see in the archeological site are:
- Sanctuary of Isis and other gods of Egypt
- Sanctuary of Demeter
- Hellenistic theater of the time of Philip
- Roman theater of the 2nd century
- Stadium
- Villa of the god Dionysus with the wonderful mosaics
- Cemetery
- Stores
- Conservatory
- Walls
- Musical instruments
- Roman Baths
Most important Sights
Olympus is the highest mountain in Greece, known worldwide mainly for its mythological context, as at its peak (Mytikas, exact altitude 2.917,727 meters) lived the Twelve “Olympic” Gods according to the religion of the ancient Greeks.
With headquarters and starting point in Litochoro, a town built on the eastern slopes of Mount Olympus, travelers have the opportunity to discover the enchanting gorge of Enipeos.
According to the mythological tradition, Enipeus, the most beautiful of the river gods, son of Oceanus and Tethys, fell in love with Tyro, daughter of King Salmoneus and Alkidikis.
The god Poseidon, who saw Tyro and fell in love with her, took the form of Enipeus, so that he could conquer her.
She was deceived and accepted Poseidon.
The starting point of the tour of the gorge is the “Mills” location, one of the entrances to the Olympus National Park, at an altitude of 400.
Nature lovers follow the well-maintained international hiking trail E4, which is marked and signposted.
The international hiking route E4, after a route of 9 kilometers (moderate difficulty) and lasting approximately 5 hours, ends at the location “Prionia”, at the sources of Enipea, at an altitude of 1,100.
On the eastern slopes of Mount Olympus, about 5 kilometers southwest of Dion, one of the most famous gorges of Mount Olympus, the Orlia gorge, is developing.
The name of the gorge comes from the river that runs through it, Orlias. Orlias or Ourlias is the ancient river of Pieria, Helikon. The river got its name Orlias from the hum created by its waters and is accompanied by a legend. According to him the Maenads wanted to wash their hands of the blood of Orpheus, whom they had killed. Then the river hid in its shame, refusing to purify them. The legend is connected with the fact that a part of the river is lost and appears in the falls.
The Orlia stream, as it crosses the slope of Mount Olympus, forms waterfalls and pedestals along its course. The two most easily accessible waterfalls with their pedestals are at a distance of 5 minutes from the church of Ag. Konstantinou and Eleni on the road that connects Dion with the Koromilia refuge.
The transition takes place via the Athens-Thessaloniki National Road from the Litochoro-Dion exit. When you reach Dion, you can follow the brown signs on the left that say “Olympus”. The road leading to the Orlia Stream is paved and the distance is 5.2 kilometers.
After about 20 minutes from the time you left the National Road, you will find yourself at the chapel of Agios Konstantinos and the waterfalls. The area around Agios Konstantinos is beautifully landscaped, with wooden tables and fountains. From this point, to find the two waterfalls and the three small lakes, it is necessary to walk about 200 meters.
A trademark of Orlia, the waterfall of the Red Rock is located approximately in the middle of the gorge and is 20 meters high. We can reach it after 1 hour of hiking on the path that starts above the church of Saint Konstantinos, near Dion. It got its name from the bright red color that the rock has where it falls.
ENVI Transfer Services
ENVI Transfer provides you with your transfer to Dion, Olympus and your return to Thessaloniki. Our spacious, air-conditioned and state-of-the-art vehicles offer you a comfortable and relaxing transfer. Our carefully selected staff is always ready to serve you and provide you with a pleasant and safe trip. All you have to do is relax in the comfortable seats of our vehicles!
Useful information
About the trip
- The Archaeological Site of Dion is about 1 hour from Thessaloniki
- Prionia is about 40 minutes away from Dion
- The traditional village of Litochoro is just 15 minutes from Dion
- If you wish you can have a coffee or have lunch in Litochoro
- The traditional and picturesque village of Paleos Panteleimon is about 30 minutes from Dion and is ideal for dining
- A tour guide would help you to understand better the archaeological site
- It is not necessary to visit all the attractions we suggest. The important thing is to have a good time without getting tired
