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55-694: The Festival is organized by Festival Olympou (OR.FE.O), ( Οργανισμό Φεστιβάλ Ολύμπου (OΡ.ΦΕ.O) ), based in Katerini . It is a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of Greek and international culture, as well as the promotion of tourism in Northern Greece. It is represented by a nine member Management Board, elections are held every three years. OR.FE.O cooperates with the state theaters in Athens and Thessaloniki. Furthermore, contacts to private theaters and artist organizations are cultivated. It

110-577: A boar was bold rather than powerful. The Muses also gathered up the fragments of his body and buried them at Leibethra below Mount Olympus, where the nightingales sang over his grave. Cults of the Muses were also located in Leibethra. Well-known springs and memorials dedicated to Orpheus were there in great number. When Alexander the Great set out against Persia , the cypress-wood statue of Orpheus

165-547: A fire approximately at the beginning of the 3rd century BC. Fragments of a nearly 2,000-liter clay storage container are exhibited in the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki . The area forms part of the Archaeological Park of Leivithra. Since the park is dedicated to Mount Olympus as well as to Orpheus , the park's paths are shaped like his associated musical instrument, the lyre . The park

220-593: A flood destroyed the place. Leibethra means canals in Greek, as does the equivalent Roman-era toponym , Canalia. The excavations so far confirm that the acropolis was inhabited from the 8th century BC to the 1st century BC. The surrounding area was inhabited at least since the Bronze Age . In approximately 169 BC, the Romans erected their army camp in the plain between Herakleion (now Platamonas ) and Leibethra, during

275-634: A mobile (vehicle mounted frequency selective) measurement station that monitor the electromagnetic field levels from antenna stations in the frequency range 100KHz–7 GHz, which is operated and controlled by the Greek Atomic Energy Commission (EEAE), with the aim of public information about high-frequency electromagnetic fields (EMF) levels. The results are presented through an interactive web portal and mobile application. Municipality of Katerini operates its office for local stray animals. The national bus lines service

330-421: A multi-story structure. The upper walls were made of bricks and the roofs were covered with tiles. Large clay storage pots ( pithoi ) where excavated from within the floor of the dwellings. The parts of the acropolis that had been unearthed so far are temporarily covered for their protection. Through a construction of metal baskets filled with stones, the hill was partially secured against further slipping. In

385-835: A population in 1900 of 2,070 Orthodox Christians and 600 Muslims . The city was liberated by the Greek 7th Infantry Division from the Ottoman rule and annexed to the Greece on 16 October 1912, during the First Balkan War . It has been part of Greece since then. Refugees from the Greek genocide settled in Katerini. With the population exchange between Greece and Turkey in 1923 the city's Muslims were expelled, while Greek refugees from Eastern Thrace and Greek Evangelicals from Asia Minor took their place, almost doubling

440-412: Is twinned with: Leivithra Leibethra or Libethra , in the modern pronunciation Leivithra ( Greek : Λείβηθρα or Λίβηθρα ) was an ancient Macedonian city at the foot of Mount Olympus , near the present settlement of Skotina . Archaeologists have discovered tombs there from the late Bronze Age (13th–12th century BC) containing rich burial objects. Leivithra played a remarkable role in

495-423: Is a city Libethra, where the mountain faces, Macedonia, not far from which city is the tomb of Orpheus. The Libethrians, it is said, received out of Thrace an oracle from Dionysus, stating that when the sun should see the bones of Orpheus, then the city of Libethra would be destroyed by a boar. The citizens paid little regard to the oracle, thinking that no other beast was big or mighty enough to take their city, while

550-503: Is a part of the wider Greek Orthodox Church , has 16 congregations within the city of Katerini. There is also an Old Calendarist church in the city. Katerini has a relatively numerous Protestant community, as a result of the organised settlement of Evangelical Greek refugees from Asia Minor and Pontus (region). Today the Greek Evangelical Church of Katerini has almost 1,100 followers, many of them are concentrated in

605-601: Is a popular tourist destination that attracts visitors from Greece and abroad. Within the boundaries of the municipality, there are seasonal and all year round over 230 hotels, that can accommodate more than 8,600 people, short-term rental accommodatios, and tourist accommodations. The vast majority of the tourist infrastructure, including tens of tavernas and cafes , lie in Paralia and Olympiaki Akti . These two localities are linked with roads, sidewalks and bicycle lanes. Winter tourism has started developing in

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660-465: Is also important to develop and maintain the network of foreign artists and cultural organizations abroad. This way combinations come to be, such as the performance of the Swan Lake ballet at the 2016 Festival, where professional dancers from Russia performed together with the pupils of local ballet schools. The funding of the festival is mainly supported by donations, and the sale of the tickets. In

715-601: Is divided into three areas: The circular route starts at the ground plan of a house that dates back to the Mycenaean era. It was discovered in the course of road construction near Platamon. Further along is an oval-shaped house, which was built in the 8th century BC. The dimensions of the ground plan were modeled on a house excavated in Krania , at the foot of the Platamon Castle . The foundation consist of stone and

770-594: Is provided by the KTEL Pieria station (Pieria intercity (coach) bus terminal) for intercity buses located in Katerini. The local bus lines between Katerini and its nearby settlements are served by the urban buses of the KTEL Katerini, which has lines towards Ano Agios Ioannis , Aronas , Dion , Moschochori , Olympiaki Akti , Paralia , Palaio Keramidi , Neo Nosokomeio (New General Hospital of Katerini), Nea Trapezounta , Vrontou . These routes serve all

825-485: Is represented. On the west side of the park, four pavilions inform about the life and work of Orpheus and the Muses ; in the immediate vicinity is a small open-air theater, which was created in the form of an ancient amphitheater. Behind the theater, a staircase leads to the opposite archaeological site. Along the ways are plants that play a role in Greek mythology and whose importance is explained on information boards. On

880-669: Is taking place. This implementation is with collaboration with the International Hellenic University . The municipality participates in the European program "LIFE-IP AdaptInGR – Boosting the implementation of adaptation policy across Greece" (2019–2026) for the adaptation to the effects of climate change, led by the Ministry of Environment and Energy . The following organizations are based in Katerini:

935-589: Is the area in Greece where kiwis were first cultivated in 1973 at the initiative of Tasos Michos who was application agronomist at the Pieria Directorate of Agriculture. The Aktinidio Pierias is cultivated in Pieria and is a part of the Hayward kiwi variety. It is registered as a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) product with the awarding of certification on 22 November 2002. Katerini

990-594: The Muses , or to have lived in the city only temporarily. His tomb was later destroyed by a flood of the river Sys. It was a place where the Leibethrian Nymphs were worshiped. Remains of Leibethra have been found and there exists an archeological site close to Olympus. The location of Leibethra was held to be a favourite place of the Muses, hence their epithet Libethrides ( Ancient Greek : Λειβηθρίδες). The 2nd-century geographer Pausanias writes: In Larisa I heard another story, how that on Olympus

1045-717: The Podolian cattle is at high risk of extinction, and is well known for its meat and milk. It is found now in the region of Thessaly . The cuisine of Katerini is Greece's Macedonian cuisine . Seafood comes mainly from the seaport of Paralia . Katerini is the administrative and economic center of Pieria . In 2022 it joined the EU Smart Tourism Destinations Project for smart tourism . The project aims to promote sustainable development practices and access to tourism and hospitality through Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) with

1100-546: The Thermaikos Gulf , at an altitude of 14 m. The municipality of Katerini has a population of 82,892 (according to the 2021 census ). It is the second most populous urban area in the region of Macedonia after Thessaloniki . The close distance between the two cities (68 km), has been beneficial for Katerini's development over recent years. Katerini is accessible from the A1 / E75 Athens–Thessaloniki motorway (with

1155-731: The Third Macedonian War . Findings from the time of the last settlement date from the year 100 BC. What ultimately caused the destruction of the settlement is still unclear. According to the latest findings, it is thought to have been an earthquake, possibly in connection with subsequent flooding. The acropolis has been excavated only randomly, and the vast majority remains untouched. Excavated silver coins were predominantly of Macedonian origin , but coins from other parts of Greece have been unearthed as well. Also found were small clay vessels, large clay storage containers, fragments of metal work and arrow and spear tips. A weight of lead

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1210-513: The history of Pieria . Leibethra is located at the eastern foot of Mount Olympus in the Pieria Prefecture , Central Macedonia , Greece . It is about four kilometers from the coast and two kilometers north of the village of Skotina . The city comprises the acropolis , which reaches an altitude of 130 meters, and the plain below it stretching towards the sea. The excavation site covers an area of 150 hectares , 1.5 of which belong to

1265-698: The Aromanians formed a majority amongst the city's Christian population in the beginning of the 20th century. At the beginning of Giorgakis Olympios pedestrian street in the central Katerini district is located the bust statue of Giorgakis Olympios (1772–1821) who was an armatole and military commander during the Greek War of Independence against the Ottoman Empire . As of 2001, the Municipal Unit of Katerini (then Municipality of Katerini)

1320-668: The Center of Mosaic Art in Dion. 40°16′12″N 22°30′35″E  /  40.269873°N 22.509787°E  / 40.269873; 22.509787 Katerini Katerini ( Greek : Κατερίνη , Kateríni , pronounced [kateˈrini] ) is a city and municipality in northern Greece , the capital city of Regional Unit of Piera in Central Macedonia, Greece . It lies on the Pierian plain, between Mount Olympus and

1375-603: The Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Pieria, Dimitra Agricultural-Livestock-farming Association of Katerini, Sheep-Goat Farmers of Pieria Agricultural Cooperative of Prefecture of Pieria, Agios Modestos Sheep-Goat Farmers Association of Pieria, Union of Agricultural Cooperatives of Pieria, Consortium of Agricultural Tobacco Cooperatives of Pieria, Pieria Hoteliers Association, Federation of Letting Rooms and Accommodations of Pieria , Imathia , Pella (OEDDPIP), Travel Agents Association of Pieria. Every year it operates

1430-849: The Evaggelika district of the city of Katerini. Other Protestant denominations, that have a church within the city, are the Free Apostolic Church of Pentecost, the Greek Apostolic Church of Pentecost and the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The Protestant community is fully integrated in the life of the city, but in the past there were tensions between the Evangelical community and the Greek Orthodox majority. These tensions led to

1485-722: The Fest of Honey for honey and bee products is held at the Municipal Park of Katerini, organized by the Agios Filaretos o Eleimon Bee⁠-⁠keeping Association of Pieria, under the auspices of the Municipality of Katerini. The Municipality of Katerini, in collaboration with the Zeus Athletic Cultural Club of Pieria's Runners, organizes every year the "Run for Katerini" 8 km road race, part of

1540-573: The Katerini's South, East and North interchanges) and the A2 motorway to the north. It is served by Intercity, Proastiakos (Suburban Railway) and local trains on the main Athens-Thessaloniki railway line and there is a comprehensive regional and national bus service with its hub in the city. A popular tourist destination in northern Greece, Katerini is close to the sea (7 km) and to several archaeological sites of great interest such as

1595-648: The Metropolis of Kitros, Katerini and Platamon in the Prosilio settlement. Katerini is represented by two football teams in the national leagues ; Pierikos , has its home stadium named 1st Municipal Athletic Center of Katerini , a club currently playing in the Gamma Ethniki (Third National) category, and the women's football club of Pierides Muses, playing in the Women's Gamma Ethniki category. Katerini

1650-614: The Municipality of Katerini is housed in the premises of the former General Hospital of Katerini and provides primary health care services to the vulnerable social groups that has been equipped and funding from a Migrant and Refugee Fund (MRF) grant received through the Council of Europe Development Bank . The social welfare program "Help at Home" operates by Municipality of Katerini supports vulnerable, elderly and people with disabilities who are unable to support themselves and are in need of help at home. In 2020, Municipality of Katerini acquired

1705-482: The Olympus Festival. The first Olympos Festival took place in 1972. Since 2010, the Olympus Festival has been cooperating with a guest country of honor. The aim is to deepen the friendship between Greece and the guest country and to present its cultural peculiarities. Some of the festival's events are reserved for artists of this country. The film is increasingly used as a medium to bring the public closer to

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1760-676: The Trade-Craft Exhibition Activity of Pieria & Central Makedonia (EBEP-KM), and the open-air market and traditional Greek festival Emporopanigyri known as Panigyri in August-September, taking place at the exhibition area of the Municipality of Katerini in the Andromachi settlement. The Park Festival is held at the Municipal Park of Katerini in April with street food and fun activities. In October,

1815-495: The ancient city of Dion (5th century BC, 17 km away), ancient Leivithra (27 km away), ancient Pydna (16 km away) and the Castle of Platamon . The beaches of Kallithea , Korinos , Olympiaki Akti (or Katerinoskala ), Paralia (where the 3rd Port Authority Department of Skala Katerini is located), Peristasi are visited by both Greek and foreign tourists during the summer season. The base of Mount Olympus and

1870-573: The area with the Elatochori ski resort. Katerini is surrounded by ancient archaeological sites as Dion , Leivithra , Pydna , Louloudies and Platamon Castle . Mount Olympus is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve designated in 1981. Olympus National Woodland Park (one of the National parks of Greece ) is popular for visits and sports. The National Health System (ESY) in Katerini has the: The Municipal Social Care Center of Katerini of

1925-743: The arson of the Evangelical Church of Katerini from a Greek Orthodox mob in March 1930. From 2006 to 2016 was operating the Second Chance Seminary School of Katerini of the Ministry of Education, that was suspended its operation since the academic year 2016–2017, which was a two years public ecclesiastical lifelong learning education boarding school housed in the Ecclesiastical Guesthouse of

1980-462: The basic framework of wood. The walls were made of a mixture of clay and straw, in which goat hair was incorporated. The roof was covered with reed. The main building of the park was modeled on the ancient winery the foundation of which was excavated in the plain of Leivithra (Komboloi). Within the building, the development of the region from the Neolithic Age to the destruction of the place

2035-625: The city is connected directly with Larissa and Thessaloniki via the Thessaloniki Suburban Railway (Proastiakos) suburban electric train. It is also connected with Athens and all the intermediate stations by Intercity train routes. Katerini is home to a significant Aromanian population that exceeds 3,000 people. Aromanians of Katerini mainly descend from nearby Aromanian settlements of Livadi and Kokkinopilos , and in lesser numbers from Samarina , Moscopole , Avdella , Perivoli and Smixi . According to some sources

2090-630: The city's population from 5,540 in 1920 to 10,138 in 1928. During Axis Occupation of Greece by the Axis Powers in World War II , Katerini went under Nazi German occupation on 14 April 1941, and was liberated on 26 October 1944. The Municipality of Katerini was formed in 2011 with the Kallikratis Programme administrative reform by the merger of the following 6 former municipalities, that became municipal units of

2145-549: The collaboration of other EU selected destinations. Katerini has received a gold award of Circular Economy and a silver award of Environmental Excellence to Local Authorities at the Environmental Awards 2022 at Hellenic Foundation for Culture on 28 September 2022. It is the first municipality in Greece in which the pilot implementation of the SMARTREC Platform for the recycling of cooking oil

2200-639: The culture of the honored country. The Countries of honor since 2010: The program includes: As indicated by the data the education of audience was above average, that mainly women attend the events, and the regular access area from which visitors came from Thessaloniki, Larissa to Kozani. Other venues are: The amphitheater in the Litochoro Park, the Olympus National Park Information Center in Litochoro and

2255-473: The early 20th century, when the vernacular name Katerini (Greek: Κατερίνη ) prevailed. According to the reports of travellers, at the turn of the 19th century, the city had four to five thousand inhabitants, mostly Greeks. In 1806, William Martin Leake recorded 100 hearths, while four years later Daniel recorded 140. For the remainder of the 19th century, the number of homes remained steady at about 300, with

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2310-485: The events celebrating the liberation of Katerini on 16 October 1912. Katerini lies in the middle of a plain and is thus an agricultural city. 26,775 people were employed in agriculture in Pieria as of 2000. There is cultivation of tobacco in the region and a lot of people spend considerable resources for its development and for exports of the product. The Union of Agricultural Cooperatives of Pieria has 9,000 members, of which 2,000 grow tobacco. Katerini - and Pieria -

2365-622: The fortified acropolis. The acropolis is bordered by the Griva and Kavourolaka rivers, which flow into the Ziliana river. In the 19th century, the Frenchman Léon Heuzey identified the location of ancient Leibethra. In 1914 the location was confirmed by his countryman André Plassart. According to Greek mythology , depending on the source consulted, Orpheus is said to have been born in Leibethra, and to have been buried there by

2420-461: The most well-known being the Greek mountain tea locally in Pieria known as "Tea of Olympus", honey and honey products ( propolis , royal jelly , beeswax ointment, bee pollen ), dairy products ( milk , butter , kefir , yogurt ), cheese ( feta , kasseri , manouri , anthotyros , kefalotyri , mizithra ), chickens (meat, eggs), black pigs (meat, cured meat, sausages). Katerini Steppe Cattle originate from Katerini. This breed belonging to

2475-445: The name of the settlement as "Kateri Hatera". According to another theory, the city derives its name from the small chapel dedicated to Saint Catherine (Greek: Αγία Αικατερίνη , Agia Aikaterini) to the east of the city, dating to at least the early 19th century. The latter hypothesis influenced official usage in Greek, where the city is found as "Aikaterini" (Greek: Αικατερίνη ) or "Agia Aikaterini" (Greek: Αγία Αικατερίνη ) until

2530-523: The neighborhood (Voulkani, Vakoufika, Palaia Leptokarya and Skotina) graves were discovered from the Mycenaean period and from the Iron Age . They housed weapons, tools and clay vessels as burial objects. The finds are stored in the Archaeological Museum of Dion . The foundation of a former vineyard were cleared in the east-facing plain. Built in the middle of the 4th century BC, it was destroyed by

2585-610: The newly formed Municipality of Katerini. The municipality Katerini is subdivided into 6 municipal units, each of which is divided into municipal communities. Katerini has a humid subtropical climate that is characterised by warm to hot, dry summers and cool and more humid winters ( Köppen climate classification : Cfa ). Katerini is located near several villages which are renowned for their high quality products, specifically kiwis, wines, cherries, strawberries, apples, olives, olive oil, truffle oil , truffles, mushrooms, grapes, mineral water , herbs with

2640-454: The settlements of Pieria that are not served by the urban buses of KTEL Katerini. There are also privately held international bus routes that connect Katerini with several cities in Albania and Bulgaria . Katerini Railway Station is located just outside the city center. The main line of the Greek railway system that connects Athens with Thessaloniki passes through Katerini. As a result,

2695-553: The settlements that lie between Katerini and the aforementioned final destinations. Katerini is served by the A1 motorway and National Road 1 that run north-south from Evzonoi to Athens . The connection between Katerini and Elassona is served by National Road 13 . Single carriageways run from Katerini to every settlement of the Pieria . Intercity bus routes delivered by the KTEL Pieria, connect Katerini directly with Athens, Thessaloniki , Elassona , Alexandreia and all

2750-558: The town of Litochoro , are at a distance of around 20 km from the center of Katerini. The ski center of Elatochori in Mount Pieria is at a distance of 33.4 km from the city's center. The origin of the name is obscure. Since the 13th century, travellers as well as maps record the existence of a settlement called Hatera ( Ἅτηρα ), which may have been the origin of the modern name. Thus Felix Beaujour recorded its name as "Katheri", while François Pouqueville gives

2805-584: The years 2011–2013 the financing of the event was ensured by the European Union . Occasionally, the Greek state helps with the financing of the festival operation. Many Greek singers, actors and actresses took part at the Olympus Festival during its 45 years (as of 2017) of operation. Famous Greek artists like Maria Farantouri , Mario Frangoulis , George Dalaras , Nana Mouskouri , Haris Alexiou , Anna Synodinou, Antigone Valakou , Thimios Karakatsanis, Dimitris Mitropanos and many others have appeared at

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2860-479: Was born in a cave between Pimpleia (near Litochoro ) and Leivithra. He was killed by women who had been enraged and was buried in Leivithra. According to a legend recounted by Pausanias, the city was to be destroyed by a wild boar, as soon as Orpheus' bones saw the sun. A careless shepherd moved the top of Orpheus' grave and the sunlight touched Orpheus' remnants. Thereupon, the river Sys (ancient Greek name for wild boar, biological name: Sus Scrofa) swelled strongly and

2915-404: Was found bearing the inscription ΛΕΙΒΗ (LEIBE). The acropolis was fortified by a wall. The north side wall was constructed of small stones, whereas the south side wall consists of large, stacked stone blocks. On the west side, the foundation of a tower was uncovered. The shape of other buildings vary and are irregularly built at narrow streets. The foundations have a remarkable depth and indicate

2970-405: Was home to 2,794 foreign nationals (4.9% of the total population). Among them the most populous ethnic group was Albanians (2.5%) followed by Georgians (0.5%), Russians (0.4%) and Bulgarians (0.3%). A large Greek community of the Katerini diaspora is particularly located in Boston , Massachusetts. The Metropolis of Kitros, Katerini and Platamon , a part of the Church of Greece which

3025-414: Was said to have sweated as an omen. In addition to the poet and musician Orpheus, the place is also associated with the Muses. The Muses lived near sources and were devoted to literature, science, and fine arts. According to Hesiod, they delighted Zeus with their singing. They looked into the past, into the present, and into the future. Orpheus, the son of Muse Calliope and the Thracian king of Oiagros,

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