Archaeological Park Dion captivates the beauty of antiquity nature and water elements.
Historical facts about Dion
Dion in translation means the City of Zeus. It was founded in ancient times at the foot of the inhabited by the gods Olympus. It is located 15 km southwest of Katerini and 6 km from the Gulf of Termaikos in Thessaloniki. The first mention of Dion is found in Thucydides, who wrote that this was the first city achieved by the Spartan commander Brasid on the way from Thessaly to Macedonia. It was during the campaign against the Athenian colony of Thrace in 424 BC. According to Diodorus of Sicily, in the 5th century BC, Archelaus of Macedon gives an impetus to the development of the city, establishing nine days of sports festivities dedicated to Zeus.
This place, from its very origin, played the role of the religious center of Macedonia, and subsequently of all Greece. The city twice collapsed, the first time by the Aetolians in 169 BC, and the second by the Ostrogothsin the 4th century AD.
According to nowadays historians, Dion, in importance in ancient Hellas, was not inferior to other world-famous ancient Greek cultural and religious centers. It is always given as an example along with Delphi and Olympia. The very famous plays of Euripides "Archelaus" and "Bacchante" were put in the theater for the first time right here. The rivers stopped, the wild beasts were reconciled and trees and stones whirred in dance to the sounds of the lyre of the divine Orpheus. Philip and Alexander of Macedon thanked the Gods for abundant sacrifices after the victory at the Battle of Girona, 338 BC. Great Alexander went to his Asian campaign bringing here the sacrifice of Zeus with the Olympians after the defeat of Thebes. After the fall of Macedonia, in the era of Roman rule, there was the center of the province. Here was minted its own coin. With the arrival of the Osman Turks, the city was destroyed to its foundations.
Archaeological researches of Dion and attractions
William Luke was the first to pinpoint the location of the ancient Dion in December 1806. He told in detail about this in the third volume of the book "Journey through Northern Greece" in 1835. However, archeologists became interested in this place and began to conduct research in this area only in 1928.
Archaeological research of the XX century on the place of Dion led to a breakthrough in the study of the history of the ancient world and gave a huge variety of unique finds. One of such discoveries can be considered a unique musical instrument "Hydraulic". The Greek theater (built under Philip V), the temple of Zeus, the sanctuary of the gods of Demeter and Isis, part of the stadium, numerous statues, columns, and mosaics were found during excavations. Also, several unique Macedonian mosaics were opened and they are exhibited today in the museum and archaeological park of Dion.
The Archaeological Museum of Dion exists since 1983. This is literally an open-air museum, which is visited annually by hundreds of tourists, archaeologists, historians and travelers from all over the world. Also, you can see the indoor Odeon, the venue for theater performances, the main entertainment of the ancient inhabitants. Another unusual place is Villa Dionysus, once the richest area of the city, decorated with a masterful mosaic of the 2nd century BC.
The vast majority of the population in the town today is Vlachi and Sarakatsany. Thanks to this, unique handicraft and culinary traditions have been preserved. You can get acquainted with them during traditional festivities, which usually take place in the spring before the beginning of Lent.
Public transportation: Dion is located not far from the large city of Katerini, which can be reached by rail and regular bus service from Athens and from Thessaloniki.
Auto: from Athens on the E75 highway, after passing on the right side of the fortress of Platamonas and follow the signs for DION; from Thessaloniki on the highway E75, after passing the city of Katerini, follow the signs for DION.
