Pieria – Olympus Riviera – Olympus
Most people know Pieria and Mount Olympus from Greek mythology. Others have heard about it from the accounts of its visitors.
But as seductive as the myth of Pieria and Mount Olympus may be, as flattering as the information may be, the real Pieria that the visitor will encounter is more beautiful. Few places combine endless coasts with golden sand and clean sea, mountains with history and natural beauty, excellent tourist organization, affordable prices – and all this on top of excellent transport infrastructure, making travel a matter of minutes. By renting a car from Pieria Rent a Car, you can visit all the magnificent beaches and mountains of Pieria.Olympic Beach, Leptokaria, Korinos, Katerini Beach are just a few of the most impressive beaches of Pieria, where you can enjoy a calm and relaxing day, as with your rental car you can be at your destination in just a few minutes.
Olympus :
By renting a comfortable car from Pieria Rent A Car you have the opportunity to explore several parts of the mountain of <<gods>>. Mount Olympus in the Olympus Riviera, is the highest mountain in Greece, known worldwide, as we mentioned above, mainly for its mythological context, as on its peak, which is called Mytikas and has an altitude of 2,918.80 meters, the Twelve Gods of Olympus lived according to the religion of the ancient Greeks. It is located on the borders of Macedonia and Thessaly. For the etymology of the word
<< Olympus >> there are various versions, such as sky, bright, tall, rock, etc. According to mythology, Mytikas – peak of Olympus Pieria , is the meeting point of the dodecatheon. Today’s location Stefani, is the throne of Zeus and it was from there that he unleashed his thunderbolts. Olympus – Riviera Pieria , due to its geographical position, has created a special climate with intense climatic changes throughout its area. Sudden storms, snowstorms, dense fogs. Strong winds but also bright sunshine when Jupiter is in a good mood, according to legend. In winter the mountain is covered with snow and the ascent requires knowledge, experience and the right equipment. Olympus becomes more welcoming and accessible in the period from June to October. In any case, however, climbing Mount Olympus requires good preparation, discipline, attention and respect to welcome you into its embrace and discover its mythical charm. Willingly or not , Olympus has rightly become a hallmark for the adventurous and non-athletic characters , since it covers sporting activities experienced and non-experienced. One of the patrons’ favourite sports is canyoning in the Orlias Gorge! Canyoning is the technical crossing of canyons. Visitors follow the natural course of the water, bypassing any obstacles, and using technical means for descents from height. They turn the descent of the canyon, the Olympus, into an exciting and fun activity. Starting at the beginning of the gorge, they encounter a series of waterfalls. They use abseils to descend and don’t miss the dips and slides on the many crystal clear Olympus pedestals they find on their way. They exercise their bodies and minds while filling themselves with beautiful images. Canyoning in the Orlias Gorge is an unforgettable experience. Action and adventure in a magical environment on the eastern slopes of Mount Olympus. Orlia is an easy canyon, suitable for beginners. Lush green forests, steep cliffs and clear waters rush by. With the necessary equipment, all safety standards and your rental vehicle from Pieria Rent A Car to reach your destination comfortably, you can enjoy this experience too.
Prionia – Olympus Riviera
From the location of Prionia (Olympos Pieria) starts a classic route that after about three hours and having rented your car from Pieria Rent A Car, will lead you to the shelter Spilios Agapitos at 2.100 meters. The route to the Olympus shelter becomes noticeably more difficult. The air becomes chilly and the heartbeat, in the Olympus Riviera, increases from the intense effort. Following the well-marked trail by climbing rhythmically – a colourful ribbon on a white background – we reach the welcoming shelter. An opportunity to rest and regroup in a wonderful natural setting.
<< balcony >> surrounded by impressive evergreen rosebushes that resist bad weather with all their strength.
Archaeological Site – Olympus – Mount Olympus Riviera
Also Olympos ( Pieria – Riviera Olympus ) offers us the admirable archaeological site. The findings of the excavations revealed a large fortified ancient city, sacred temples, theatres, stadium and cemeteries, which document the habitation of the region for more than 1,000 years ( from the 5th century BC to the 5th century AD ) Very impressive is the complex of public baths of Olympus in Pieria, which covers an area of 4 acres in the central building, south of the market. These are essentially large baths of Dion, built around 200 AD. On the north side of the baths, many of the marble statues that also decorate the museum were found.
Next to the Riviera Olympus – Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki is also very close to Pieria and with your rental car you can now visit it. It was founded in 315 BC by the king of Macedonia, Kassandros, son of the general Antiparos who was left as prefect of Macedonia by Alexander the Great when he ventured on his great expedition to Asia. In this way, Cassander, having won the succession battle, married Alexander the Great’s sister of Thessalonica and founded the city in her honor, uniting 26 small settlements in the area. Less than two centuries after its foundation, Thessalonica, like all of Macedonia, was conquered by the Romans. In 148 BC it was the capital of the Roman province of Macedonia. Soon afterwards Macedonian Greeks supported Roman occupation along with they faced the peoples who often arrived outside its famous walls, trying to gain occupation. In 42 BC, Thessalonica is declared a free city (civitas libera) and a new era of peace and prosperity begins. Half a century before the birth of Christ, the Roman orator, Cicero, lived in Thessalonica. The great, famous Egnatia road for travellers going east from Rome or returning from the West passes by, joining the Adriatic to Constantinople. The Roman Empire finally came to an end. Two great powers were created with Licinius in the West and Constantine in the East. Constantine the Great chooses Thessalonica because it is next to Pieria, from where he will deal with his great confrontation with Licinius. He builds the city’s new port and recognizes Christianity as the official religion of the state. During this period, Thessaloniki acquires important Byzantine churches, many of which visitors will see today during their walks through the city. In the centuries that followed, Thessaloniki suffered raids by the Goths, Persians, Arabs and Turks without ever losing its character.
The city is preserved by its great walls of which many of its parts still exist today crowning the city. In 1185 the Byzantine Empire could not prevent the Norman occupation of Thessaloniki. A few years later the Franks arrived and in 1224 AD, the city was occupied by Theodore Duke Komnenos and was declared the capital of the Bishop of Epirus. Then the city will face the threat of the Catalans, and from 1300 A.D. it enters its golden age. The city has unique autonomy and self-government. It is perennial with a strong economy, cultural and artistic life, splendid monuments, skilfully decorated churches and all kinds of factories: copper, iron, lead, paper, etc. By renting a modern car from Pieria Rent A Car , you have the opportunity to see the famous Veroia and Edessa, famous places for their historical monuments and archaeological sites, which host dozens of historical findings. The most widespread place near Veria, a very short distance away, is Vergina. Built geographically in the location of ancient Aigoi , near Pieria, where the excellent archaeologist Manolis Andronikos made excavations, where he discovered the ancient tomb of King Philip II. The modern underground museum of Vergina with the royal tombs and exhibits from the entire history of Macedonia is interesting. Read more : https://old.pieriarentacar.gr/pieria-rent-a-car-thessaloniki-lefkos-pyrgos/
Veroia – Edessa – Pieria – Riviera Olympus
With your rental from Pieria Reant A Car , you can also visit the famous museum of Vergina. Aigae was the first capital of the Macedonian kingdom, which was founded in the 7th century BC. Two centuries later, the capital was moved to Pella, but Aigae remained a sacred place for the Macedonians. In Aigae there was a royal cemetery, where there were victims of the Macedonian kings and their family members, even after the capital was moved. In the Aigae theatre, Philip II, Alexander’s grandfather, was murdered during his daughter’s wedding ceremony. Unfortunately, most of the city of Aigaeus cannot be visited today because it is under excavation. The Archaeological Museum of Vergina The Archaeological Museum of Vergina has the following peculiarities. The Archaeological Museum of Vergina houses four ancient royal tombs, which have not been moved from where they were found. Inside the museum and around the tombs, the votive offerings and the tombstones of other tombs are on display. In terms of their architecture, the tombs resemble small temples. What makes the tombs stand out is not only the beauty of the frescoes and the richness of the offerings, but also the fact that archaeologists believe that there were buried members of Alexander the Great’s family. In particular, it is believed that, in one of them, his father was buried, Philip II, as well as another of his sons, Alexander IV, who was murdered when he was a teenager in the succession dispute. The excavation of the tombs was carried out by Manolis Andronikos.
The most famous ancient Greek symbol of Vergina and one of the most famous of the Riviera of Olympus, is the Sun of Vergina or otherwise known as the Star of Vergina. Symbol depicted in various archaeological finds , such as vases and coins, but became widely known due to its depiction on the golden urn found in 1977 in a royal tomb, which is attributed to the Macedonian Royal Dynasty of Philip II and Alexander the Great. Read More Here : https://old.pieriarentacar.gr/loutra-pozar-veroia-edessa/
Kato Milia Pieria – Riviera Olympus
Among the admirable destinations of Pieria, Kato Milia of Pieria could not be left out. If you are a lover of archaeological finds, then Kato Milia Pieria is definitely one of the places you should tour. Having rented a vehicle from Pieria Rent A CAR , you are sure to not only enjoy the ancient monuments, but also the fantastic route through the forests and hills. Recently, northeast of the village, important archaeological finds have been discovered, including an ancient Roman city. One more jewel , among the already existing ones of Pieria. This beautiful village of Pieria, is built at an altitude of 190 meters and is located on the south-western side of the Pieria Mountains. It is 24 km from the hotels.
Elatochori Pieria – Riviera Olympus :
The rental cars from Pieria Rent A Car can enchant you, taking you to Elatochori Pieria. Elatochori Pieria is located at an altitude of about 1000 meters and is one of the top mountain resorts in Greece. Elatochori Pieria consists of two settlements, the newest and the oldest settlement, which maintains a distinctive traditional architecture and enjoys a unique view of the historic mountain << of the gods>> , Olympus. In the old Elatochori, the church of Agios Nikolaos, a historical building dating back to the middle of the 17th century, is still preserved today. The Folklore Museum of Elatochori is also maintained in the village square, which has been revived thanks to the remarkable effort of the women of the village.For nature lovers and activity enthusiasts, the area offers ideal paths for walking in the forest, mountain biking and mountain climbing. Elatochori Pieria is located on the eastern side of Pieria Ora and is only 28 km from the city of Katerini , while the route to the village , together with Pieria Rent A Car , guarantees to impress you with the unique wild beauty of the landscape.
Elatochori Pieria, however, does not only belong to the plans of summer excursions. In winter its beauty is much more intense, as it offers its unique Ski Centre. Although it is a relatively new ski centre of Elatochori Pieria, it has become popular with winter sports enthusiasts, who flood its slopes. This is due to both the excellent infrastructure of the centre and the wonderful nature that surrounds it. Pieria Rent A Car gives us the opportunity to enjoy the facilities of the Elatochori Ski Centre of Pieria, which include 10 slopes with varying altitude difference and with different degrees of difficulty to satisfy both experienced and demanding skiers, as well as beginners who are trying out their skills in the most popular winter sport, in the mountains of Pieria. There is also a snowboard slope and a sledding slope. The total length of the slopes and the network of snow tracks connecting them is more than 12,000 metres. At the base of the Pieria Ski Centre there is a new chalet, which is distinguished by its modern aesthetics, which blends in with the environment. There are also shops selling and renting equipment and ski equipment and a ski school. It is worth mentioning that the ski resort of Pieria also has a fully equipped first aid clinic with a permanent doctor on a daily basis.
Byzantine Museum of Veria – Pieria – Riviera Olympus
If your way, with the rental of your vehicle from Pieria Rent A Car, leads you to Veria, you must get to know the Byzantine Museum. The same is housed in the Mill of Markos, a recently renovated industrial building of the turn of the century, located in the neighborhood of the preserved district of Kyriotissa. It comprises three floors, with a total area of 720 sqm, each of which will host a conceptually independent section of the permanent exhibition. The material of the permanent exhibition includes part of the rich collection of portable icons, frescoes from temples and secular buildings, mosaic floors, manuscripts and antique works of pottery and small crafts, coins and woodcarvings, burial finds, architectural sculptures and marble inscriptions.
Museum of Water – Reptiles – Edessa – Pieria – Riviera Olympus
Although it is called the city of water, Pieria Rent A Car also takes you to Edessa, next to the magnificent Waterfalls and inside the city’s Water Museum.Since May 2001, Pieria Rent A Car operates the first aquarium with endemic freshwater fish in Greece. In the Aquarium, very close to Pieria – Riviera Olympus, there are sections of Endemic Fish Amphibians, Reptiles , Amphibian Reptiles and Crustaceans. One can admire up close Tritons, Turtles, Crabs, Crabs and various species of snakes. In the Aquarium there is a large 3000 litres of water and 14 smaller facilities with fish from lakes ( Grub, Goliath, Butterfly, Eel, etc. ), rivers, streams and static water ( Perch, Goldfinch, Turna, Korigonus, Platica, Chima, Chironi, Glynari, Coonfish, Sunfish, Brenna, Wuvios, etc. ), fish from rivers, streams and static water ( Perch, Goldenrod, Turna, Corigonus, Platica, Chima, Chironi, Glynari, Coonfish, Sunfish, Brenna, Wuvios, etc. ). ). The number of reptiles and amphibians is also very important. Also within the aquarium/ herpetarium, in Riviera Pieria, there is a scientific laboratory with all the necessary departments (infirmary – hatchery) and the required technical equipment (microscopes, water controllers, etc.). The immediate objective of the Aquarium is to organise educational programmes for schools, so that young students can come into contact with water, nature and the environment ( elements that demonstrate the area ), while at the same time research and enrichment with new species from the 35 ( and 80 subspecies ) that have been recorded in the area will continue.