Thessaloniki_EN

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DAY EXCURSIONS
Jewish quarter in Europe,
which maintains a traditional
character in its entirety. It
is worth taking a walk and
visiting the Roman, Ottoman
and Industrial age monuments
in the traditional districts of
Kyriotissa, Panagia Dexia, and
Makariotissa; you can also visit
the Public Central Library which
has earned an international
award, or relax in the parks
and squares.
How to get there.
Vergina is about 63 km SW
of Thessaloniki. If you travel by
car, follow the signs to Veroia
and after that to Vergina. You
can also take the intercity bus
or the train to reach Veroia
and then take the local bus
to Vergina.
3 DION
This most enchanting
archaeological site is
located under the imposing
Olympus mountain range, in
a 150-hectare green area amid
flowing waters coming from
Vafyras River and from other
springs; it is the habitat of
many species of birds, reptiles
and amphibians. This used to
be a sacred place to ancient
Macedonians who worshipped
Olympian Zeus and the Muses
[daughters of Zeus] here.
Athletic and theatrical games
were established here in the 5 th
c. BC (called “Olympia Games
in Dion”); later on, the town
was built next to the sacred
grounds, gradually acquiring
a monumental status during
the Hellenistic times, and
managed to keep its splendour
until the 5 th c. AD when it was
finally deserted due to intense
seismic activity in the area.
MUST SEE:
Vafyras sacred springs.
This place was selected to
become Zeus’ worship grounds
on account of the area’s many
springs, as Zeus was originally
worshipped as the god of
weather and rain. Their waters
flowed into Vafyras River which
was navigable in antiquity
and connected Dion with
the Thermaic Gulf.
The temple of Demeter.
It is a complex of buildings
constructed from the 6 th c. BC
until the Roman times.
Sanctuary of Zeus
Hypsistos [Almighty].
It lies in the north side of a
spacious square and the altar
is situated in front of it. Copies
of the worshipped statue and
bases of sculptures depicting
eagles have been placed on
their original positions.
Sanctuary of Isis.
This is probably the most
fascinating temple in the area
as it is half-sunk in water.
It was dedicated to the Egyptian
goddess whose worship
replaced that of Artemis during
the Hellenistic times. There is
also a small temple dedicated
to Aphrodite Ypolympidia
[worshipped at the foot of Mt
Olympus]; copies of statues
found here were placed in their
original positions.
Sanctuary of Olympian Zeus.
The temple became
complete in the Hellenistic
period. A large altar and
inscriptions containing official
documents by Macedon kings
were found on the spot.
A horseshoe-shaped Roman
theatre with 24 rows of
benches was built in the south
edge during the 2 nd c. AD,
in the place of the older
Hellenistic theatre; a small
bath house (Thermae) was
found northeast of the
sanctuary.
Hellenistic Theatre.
It was built on the location of
an older theatre of the classical
period, in the 3 rd c. BC. Part
of the Olympos Festival artistic
events take place here today in
the theatron [auditorium] where
modern tiers have been added
to accommodate viewers.
Sanctuary of Asklipios.
It was built in the 4 th -3 rd
c. BC and remained open for
religious services until the 3 rd
c. AD. The most important
finding is a small marble statue
of goddess Hygeia [Health].
Cemetery Basilica.
It was built in the 5 th c.
within the town’s Christian
cemetery grounds. It was
a three-aisled basilica with
a semi-circular apse, a narthex
and an atrium.
Hellenistic and Roman Walls
(fortified precincts).
Originally constructed by
Cassander in 306-304 BC,
this nearly square-shaped
structure’s dimensions were
2,625 m. Length by 3 m.
Width by 7-10 m. Height. It
was reconstructed in 219 BC
and later in the 3 rd c. AD as
it had suffered attacks. In the
SW side there are remains of
a cistern; the best preserved
Macedonian tomb in the area
is to be found outside the west
gate.
DAY EXCURSIONS
89
104 105 106
104, 105 &
106.
The Dion
Archaeological
site: (left)
the Great
Thermae;
(middle)
view of the
sanctuary
of Demeter;
(right) detail
from a house
mosaic.