GREECE MACEDONIA PIERIA MOUNT OLYMPOS

Mount Olympos, the abode of the Olympian Gods in ancient belief, where they resided and held court - although the myths are somewhat vague in this respect. - Above: Views to the mountain range of Olympos from the airplane and from Chalkidiki. - Below: Views from around Katerini.

Above: Views from the area of Litochoro. - Below: The monastery of Agios Dionysios at an altitude of 850 m. Founded in 1542 by Saint Dionysios, it was burned down by Veli Pasha in 1821. The final blow was in April 1943, when German troops bombarded and later demolished the monastery because they supposed freedom fighters hiding in the premises. Today it is partly rebuilt and used as stavropegic monastery.

Above and below: Driving up the winding road from Litochoro past the monastery of Agios Dionysios we come to the mountain hut of Prionia at an altitude of 1100 m with a terribly crammed parking lot. Here, the road for vehicles ends and the traditional hiking route up to the summits of Olympos begins. In any case you should not miss the famous bean soup of Prionia.