MACEDONIA
Macedonia (Makedonia) 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. Slopes
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 king Philip of Macedon.
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 modern. Among them are
tavernas, restaurants, bars, expensive night clubs and cozy
little places redolent with the smells of Macedonian delicacies.
Theatres, cinemas, pastry shops 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, Mt. Athos, the monastic state, the
holy mountain, a separate and special feature. Dozens of
fabulous Byzantine monasteries lurk in fertile valleys and perch
on sheer rocky coasts hiding unique treasures. The capital of
Halkidiki is Poligiros, a picturesque town. Its unique sights
are its three fingers, Kassandra, Sithonia, 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 districts of Seres, Drama, and
Kavala, and their respective capitals of the same name.
Beautiful and charming, Seres 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 ancient Phillipi
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 district of Pieria, whose capital is fair Katerini with the
castle of Platamona gazing upon the Aegean, has fine wide sandy
beaches, the Litohoro on the foothills of Mt 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 district
of Imathia, which is also home to Naoussa of much running water
and thick vegetation, and to Vergina which is associated with
ancient Aiges and whose tombs have been attributed to Philip of
Macedon.
Edessa is capital of the district of Pella, which has waterfalls
and ancient Pella.
Next is Kilkis with the impressively decorated cave, picturesque
villages and towns and the Doirani lake with its rich natural
environment. In Western Macedonia are the districts of Kozani,
with its scenic capital of the same name, Grevena, with tall
wooden mountains and an untamed natural environment.
The district of Kastoria with the lake and pretty town built
amphitheatrically on its shores, and the dozens of fur makin
workshops, and lastly, Florina with Mikri and Megali Prespa
(Iarge lakes), and beautiful traditional villages built on the
slopes of forested mountains.