Greece 2021

Sunday31October

Here we are in the Mount Olympus region. A title that impresses, but for now, we tackle something quieter with the picturesque village of Paleos Panteleimonas, located 20 kilometers from Litochoro where we are staying.

Paleos Panteleimonas served in 1980 as a set for the film "Alexander the Great" by Greek director Theo Angelopoulos, the plot of the film taking place in the 1900s. Sublimated by the film, the village has attracted crowds since.

The village was born around the year 1500, it housed mostly lumberjacks. It was regularly deserted then restored respecting the architecture of the time.

Here we are on the other side of the village.

Perched high up, the village overlooks the beautiful panorama of the Aegean Sea. In the far background, the town of Litóchoro where we spend two nights.

The town of Leptokaryá.

On the side of the path, strawberry trees (Arbutus unedo) with lots of arbutus berries reaching maturity.

Back to the cobbled streets of the village. At this altitude, autumn has already begun.

The Saint-Panteleimon Church.

After the short morning walk in Paleos Panteleimonas, we go directly to Priónia at the foot of Mount Olympus, starting point for some hiking trails. But for now, it is in the restaurant that we go directly!

After lunch, we can start exploring the surroundings. We start with the path that passes by the small Enipeas Waterfalls.

The path then sinks into the woods totally repainted by the colors of autumn.

We turn back and pass through Priónia. Our goal, take the path leading to the old Saint Dionysios monastery.

After an hour of walking, we arrive at the monastery. It has been under constant restoration since it was destroyed by the Nazis in 1943.

The entrance passes through a mosaic representing Saint Dionysios who reportedly founded the monastery in 1542.

The large refectory.

The kitchen opens directly onto the refectory.

The wall separating the refectory from the kitchen.

The old very damaged paintings...

The main church (the katholikon) of the monastery.

Another representation of Saint Dionysos.

Saint John Climacus

Saint Onuphrius represented with a long white beard and a loincloth made of plants. His legend was reported by Saint Paphnutius who met him living as an ascetic in the Egyptian desert.

Saint George of Lydda and Saint Demetrios.

Elijah and Stylianos of Paphlagonia.

Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker and Saint Paraskevi.

Again, Saint Demetrios and Saint George of Lydda.

Back outside where the clouds have disappeared to reveal Mount Olympus, the highest mountain in Greece with its 2917 meters.

We leave the monastery and take the path in reverse.

Small detour to find a geocache...

After 1 hour of walking, we recover the car and on the way back, we cross an Olympian red fox of its state! Completely zen, he won't be scared for a second. After a short break next to our car, he will resume his little merry way...  

Return to Litochoro in front of Saint Nicholas Church Square.

Then dinner in the restaurant of this same square.

Monday1stNovember

Before leaving Litochoro, short morning visit to the Monastery of Saint Dionysios which definitively replaced the one we visited yesterday, after the Second World War.

A small fountain next to the church.

In the Catholicon.

Demetrios.

Next to it, a small museum housing period documents as well as some relics.

A letter from 1735 given to a monk to collect for the monastery after major damage to the buildings.

The small room housing relics.

On the left, relics of Saint Dionysios. On the right, relics of Saint Paraskevi, Saint Cosmas Anargyros, Saint Haralambos and Saint Tryphon.

A relic of Saint John the Baptist.

Saint Nicholas.

This is what your car becomes when you leave it for an hour in the sun: a wellness center for cats...  

We leave Litochoro while taking a last look at the valley which joins, in the distance, Mount Olympus whose summit is already covered with snow. We resume our circuit heading north, but before that, we join 30 minutes from here, the archaeological site of Dion.

Two geese (Anser domesticus) welcome us at the entrance to the archaeological site...  

The archaeological site of Dion has remained in its original state and does not seem to be maintained more than that. It was rediscovered in 1806 and it was not until 1928 for the first excavations.

Mention is made of this ancient city as early as the 5th century BC. And it will see passing, among others, Philip II and Alexander the Great. After a period under Roman occupation, the city will decay after the 5th century.

The Roman theater of the 2nd century BC.

The different tunnels accessing the theater.

The site has one of the best views of Mount Olympus.

The Hellenistic theater.

The theater is a little older than the previous one.

The Baths of Dion.

The mosaics that we imagine covering the bottom of the pools.

Excavations are still ongoing.

We arrive at the Villa of Dionysos dating approximately from the year 200.

The sanctuary of Zeus.

Statue of Herennianos (Early 3rd century AD).

Portrait of a woman (1st century AD).

Engraved letter from King Philip V (238-179 BC) to the officers and citizens of Dion. And statue of Zeus Hypsistos (Roman imperial period).

Mosaic from the house of "Zosas" representing a grouse and the inscription: ?O EYTYXI ZOCA (for the lucky Zosas).

Bronze portrait of Emperor Severus Alexander (222-235 AD).

"The little sleeper". This skull dating from 1400 BC was decorated with a bronze diadem. The dentition allowed to conclude a young age at death, and the jewelry to a high social class.;;

That's it for the Mount Olympus region! Now, direction Thessaloniki, the second most populated city in the country after Athens! 1 hour drive to cover the 80 kilometers separating us and we will be able to take possession of our new rental!