OLYMPUS MOUNTAIN
Olympus Mountain is the highest mountain in Greece. Its highest peak is Mytikas where according to Greek mythology was the home of the Greek gods while Zeus Throne was Stefani. Olympus is known for its exceptional biodiversity and rich flora. It has been a National Park, the first in Greece, since 1938. The natural beauty of the area is breathtaking. The Gorge of Enipeas, Orlias warerfall, the beautiful pathways in the forest are unique sightseeing you can enjoy trying trekking and hiking or even canoyoning, mountain biking or paragliding.At Litochoro a small town at the foot of Mountain Oympus, 10 km away from Melofegaro Guesthouse there are clubs organising these experiexces. Every year in June takes place the Olympus Marathon, an the international mountain running event.
RELIGIOUS TOURISM
Greece has plenty interesting from both architectural and historical site, monasteries and churches that deserve a visit.
The Monastery of Agios Dionysios in Olympus, subordinated directly to the Patriarch of Constantinople is the most important in Pieria. The chapel of Saint Dionysios is located on the Enipeas River, built under an overhanging rock just above a spring. Other monasteries located at Olympus is Kanalon, Agia Triada and Sparmos. Meteora (147 km away from Melofegaro Guesthouse), is a fascinating rock formation with marvelous, breathtaking complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries, included on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Archaeological area of Dion
Dion is located 30 km away from Melofegaro Guesthouse is best known for its great ancient Macedodian sanctuary of Zeus and city much of which is visible in the Archaelogical Park of Dion and the Archaelogical Museum of Dion.In the Archaelogical Museum of Dion you can admire statues, votive and tombstones, coins and various other objects that the excavations in the sanctuaries, large thermae revelead. One of the most important exhibits of the Museum is Hydraylis, one of the oldest known musical instruments. It dates back to the 1st century BC. and is the oldest of its kind that has been found so far. It is the first key instrument of antiquity and a precursor to the ecclesiastical organ of western Europe.At the Ancient theater of Dion during the summer takes place the well known Olympus Festival which hosts many cultural events as concerts, theatrical plays etc
The Castle of Platamon
The Platamon Castle is located 3km away from Melofegaro Guesthouse. it is a Crusader castle (built between 1204 and 1222) in northern Greece (Macedonia) and is located southeast of Mount Olympus, in a strategic position which controls the exit of the Tempe valley, through which passes the main road connecting Macedonia with Thessaly and southern Greece. The tower (donjon), which overlooks the highway, is an imposing medieval fortress.
Important discoveries are the board of Hellenistic wall, that confirm the suggestion that on this position was the ancient Greek city Herakleion and the gate in the wall of the donjon. The core of the city Herakleion remains to be found, but it is posited
that it is located on the northwest side of the castle's hill due to shells and coins found during recent excavations.
The Archaeological site of Aigai
Approximately 90km away from Melofegaro Guesthouse at the small city of Vergina is located the site of ancient Aigai, the first royal capital of Macedon. In 336 BC Philip II was assassinated in Aigai's theatre and his son, Alexander the Great, was proclaimed king.
The archaeological museum of Vergina houses all the artifacts found at the site and is one of the most important museums in Greece.
Aigai has been awarded by UNESCO World Heritage Site status as "an exceptional testimony to a significant development in European civilization, at the transition from classical city-state to the imperial structure of the Hellenistic and Roman periods".
The excavation unearthed the burial sites of many kings of Macedon, including the tomb of Philip II, father of Alexander the Great, which, unlike so many other tombs, had not been disturbed or looted. It is also the site of an extensive royal palace.
