Last modified: 2014-11-15 by ivan sache
Keywords: dio-olympos | dion | litochoro |
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The municipality of Dio-Olympos (25,668 inhabitants in 2011; 49,320 ha) was formed in the 2011 local government reform by the merger of the former municipalities of Dion (Δίον, 10,885 inh.), East Olympos (Ανατολικός Όλυμπος, 9,374 inh.), and Litochoro (Λιτόχωρο, 7,259 inh.).
Olivier Touzeau, 22 August 2013
![[Flag of Dion]](../images/g/gr-mh-d1.gif)
Former flag of Dion - Image by Olivier Touzeau, 22 August 2013
The former municipality of Dion was established in October 1992, encompassing the districts of Agios Spyridonas (Άγιος Σπυρίδωνας), Dion, Karitsa (Καρίτσα), Kondariotissa (Κονταριώτισσα), Nea Efesos (Νέα Έφεσος), and Vrontou (Βροντού). The administrative center was in the village of Kondariotissa.
Dion is known for its archaeological site and museum. Zeus was honored at the ancient town of Dion, located at the foot of
Mount Olympus. Dion was the "sacred place" of the Ancient Macedonians. From very ancient times, a large altar had been set up for the worship of Olympian Zeus and his daughters, the Muses.
Thucydides reports that Dion was the first town reached by the Spartan general Brasidas after crossing from Thessaly into Macedon on his way through the realm of his ally Perdiccas II during his expedition against the Athenian colonies of Thrace in 424 BC.
According to Diodorus Siculus, it was Archelaus I who, at the end of the 5th century BC, gave the town and its sanctuary their subsequent importance by instituting a nine-day festival that included athletic and dramatic competitions in honor of Zeus and the Muses. Dion is the site of a large temple dedicated to Zeus, as well as a series of temples to Demeter and to Isis (the Egyptian goddess was a favorite of
Alexander). Alexander assembled his armies in Dion before beginning his
westward wars of conquest.
The former flag of Dion (Kokkonis website) was white with the municipal logo, showing the archaeological site.
Olivier Touzeau, 22 August 2013
![[Flag]](../images/g/gr-mh-d2.gif)
Former flag of Litochoro - Image by Olivier Touzeau, 2 May 2014
Litochoro is a popular destination for people wishing to climb Mount Olympus as almost all climbing routes begin to the southwest of the town, hence its motto, "The City of the Gods".
The former flag of Litochoro (Kokkonis website) was purple with municipal emblem.
Olivier Touzeau, 2 May 2014