Macedonia
Information about Macedonia
Macedonia is Greece’s largest geographical region and it occupies the northern part
of the country.
The climate is generally continental though coastal areas benefit from the moderating
influence of the sea and can be said to have a Mediterranean climate.
Macedonia includes large fertile plains, such as the plain of Thessaloniki, mineral
rich areas, such as Halkidiki, wooded mountains, lakes, wetlands, enchanting waterfalls,
forests of fir, pine, and beech trees. Slope inhabited even today by endangered wild
animals such as bears and wolves. Rushing rivers, caves, verdant plains, fertile valleys,
distant lake shores, beautiful coasts, and large and small fishing villages.
The capital is Thessaloniki, the “bride” of the Thermaic gulf, which owes her name to
the daughter of Philip, the king of Macedonia. The city is decorated with many Roman
and Byzantine monuments, with the White Tower the best known, the old city, and
countless Byzantine churches. Today all of Thessaloniki buzzes with life. The roads,
parks, and squares are lively and on the commercial streets people frequent the shops
with their bright window displays. Old houses, neoclassical and modem. Among them
are tavemas, restaurants, bars, expensive nightclubs and cozy little places redolent with
the smells of Macedonian delicacies. Theatres, cinemas, confectioneries, and cafes.
And once a year, every September, the wonders of technology are gathered and shown
at the International Exhibition.
Halkidiki lies to the south, as well as Mount Athos (flghion Oros), the monastic state,
the holy mountain, a separate and special feature. Dozens of fabulous Byzantine
monasteries lurk in the fertile valleys and perch on sheer rocky coasts hiding unique
treasures. The capital of Halkidiki is Polygyros, a picturesque town. Its unique sights are
its three fingers, the peninsulas of Kassandra, Sitfaonia and Athos, with beautiful sandy
beaches and pine trees that come down to “meet” the deep blue water of the sea.
East of Thessaloniki are the prefectures (districts) of Seires, Drama and Kavala, and
their respective capitals of the same name.
Beautiful and charming, Series has an acropolis as well as Byzantine walls and
churches. Drama is situated among tobacco fields. Kavala is divided into a new and an
old town, the scenic harbour full of little fishing boats, and the medieval castle. Outside
the city is the archaeological site of Philippi and several wonderful beaches with good
swimming.
Across the sea is Thassos, the island of the Sirens according to mythology. Beautiful
verdant, with splendid beaches, and important antiquities. In the summer, ancient plays
are reenacted in the ancient theatre.
West of Thessaloniki lies Central Macedonia Here the outstanding sights are the
archaeological sights of Dion, Vergina, and Pella.
The prefecture (district) of Pieria whose capital is fair Katerini with the castle of
Platamonas gazing upon the Aegean, has fine wide sandy beaches, the Litohoro on the
foothills of Mount Olympus, the domicile of the gods, and Dion, the pan-Macedonian
sanctuary devoted to the worship of Zeus (Dias).
Veria, with Byzantine churches, is the capital of the prefecture of Imathia which is also
home to Naoussa of much running water and thick vegetation, and to Vergina which is
associated with Ancient fligai, Macedonia’s first capital, and whose tombs have been
attributed to Philip, the king of Macedonia.
Edessa is capital of the prefecture of Pella, which has waterfalls and Ancient Pella.
Next is KMs Prefecture with the impressively decorated cave, picturesque villages
and towns and the Doirani lake with its rich natural environment.
In Western Macedonia are the prefectures of Kozani, with its scenic capital of the
same name, Grevena, with tall wooded mountains and an untamed natural environment,
Kastoria with the lake and pretty town built in the style of an amphitheatre on its shores
and the dozens of fur-making workshops, and lastly, Fiorina with the National Park of the
Prespes Lakes (Mikri Prespa and Megali Prespa) and beautiful traditional villages built
on the slopes of forested mountains.
