Byzantine Castle of Platamon — Attraction in Dion - Olympos Municipality

The Platamon Castle , an important part of the history of Pieria, is a Crusader castle (built between 1204 and 1222) in northern Greece 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 Greekcity 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.

A footpath leads from the parking lot to the gate of the castle. It is open every day between 08:30 and 15:00. What we call Platamon today included the city of Platamon and the actual castle. The extensive area is designed as a polygon and had irregular towers at irregular intervals. At the foot of the hill, to the left and right of the land, which extends into the sea, are two smaller towers. Only the main tower, the donjon, which is surrounded by its own wall, is located in the western part of the complex. Unfortunately, it is not open to visitors. Here, in fighting, was the last retreat for the inhabitants. For strategic reasons, there is only a relatively narrow gate that can be defended well. Many of the basics of churches, houses, a smithy, pottery and other buildings testify to the life of the past. Partially well-preserved cannons served in the later Middle Ages, the defense of pirates and the general defense of the fortress. To ensure the water supply during a longer lasting siege, there are several cisterns...

If you are a little bit tired with your beach staying in some vicinity, like Neoi Poroi, this castle could be considered as a part of your cultural programme :).

Yes, definitely and obviously the castle is not so impressive as Monasteries of Meteora or the very Olymp but if you have a rented car for the whole period of your vacations in the region - why not?! :) Concerning its intrinsic historical value - it's hollowed out factually - the very castle is just construction of rocks and stones; there is no any good museum or exhibition of the times it guarded. Therefore, if you think or expect to see some interesting artefacts there - don't disappoint yourself - it is not so despite some continuous archaeological work :). Its preciousness is in its views, and only if your are as maximum some 30 minutes of driving there. Since there are not many individual visitors at the same time you are to park your car without serious problems and difficulties; the very parking area is immediately in front of the beginning of the path (across the street).

The visit is not free of charge but prices are affordable. Planning your visit think carefully of time - since it's almost an open air space with little shadow pieces there is too hot there even in early June; thus, if some cardio problems are known, better to examine the castle early in the morning.

If you are an Orthodox Christian there is a very calm and patient Church inside the castle where you could also have some rest...

The Platamon Castle is an important part of the history of Pieria, is a Crusader castle which is built between 1204 and 1222 in northern Greece and is located southeast of Mount Olympus, in a strategic position which controls the exit of the Temple valley through which passes the main road connecting Macedonia with Thessaly and southern Greece. The place, which today is occupied by the castle, was used by the city of Herakleion in pre-Christian times. Not only on the top of the castle hill, but also at the foot of the hill, were settlements that were assigned to this ancient city. A footpath leads from the parking lot to the gate of the castle. It is open every day between 08:30 and 15:00. What we call Platamon today included the city of Platamon and the actual castle. Today, the acropolis serves as one of the Olympus Festival venues. In the open air, with good acoustics, theatrical performances and concerts...