Pieria Prefecture, prefecture of Greece
Pieria Prefecture is an administrative area in Central Macedonia, northern Greece, wedged between the Aegean coast to the east and the peaks of Mount Olympus to the west. Its main urban center is Katerini, and the territory takes in flat plains, river valleys, and a long sandy shoreline.
The area was home to the Piereis in ancient times, a people who maintained their own sacred sites, most notably at Dion, a city dedicated to the gods at the foot of Mount Olympus. Later, Romans built roads and towns here, and Platamon Castle, raised during the medieval period, still stands above the coast.
The name Pieria comes from the Pierides, the Muses of ancient Greek myth who were said to live in this region. Visitors today can find echoes of this in local festivals where traditional music and food bring communities together.
The area is easiest to get around by car, since the coast and inland villages are spread out. Summer draws visitors to the beaches, while spring and autumn are better for exploring the foothills and countryside at a slower pace.
The ancient city of Dion, now an open-air archaeological site, was rediscovered largely in the 20th century, revealing mosaics and sculptures that had been buried for centuries under farmland. Some of the finds were so well preserved that they are displayed outdoors at the site itself rather than moved to a museum.
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