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Prefecture of Imathia

THE SACRED LAND OF IMATHIA has been the center of the ancient macedonian civilization. Here, history is lost back to the centuries. It is inhabited since the early appearance of prehistoric man and it flourished greatly during the period of ancient Macedonia. Here, we find traces of a civilization which advanced through the hellenistic, byzantine and Christian era. Here, one may encounter the azure of the sky, the beauty of the planes, and the magic of the evergreen mountains which dominate a great portion of the region. Visitors will encounter the manifestation of an advanced civilization of the past but also current human values and sites where a modem dynamic development is evident.

VERIA
The capital of Imathia prefecture, Veria, is built on the foothill of Vermion mountain. Some of the sites that are worth visiting are the Archaeological Museum, the byzantine churches, the traditional neighbourhoods of Kariotissa and Barbuta which are samples of macedonian architecture, Apostle Paul's Altar, a site where tradition holds it that the Apostle of the Nations lectured etc.

VERGINA
The natural wealth of Imathia has attracted at different periods, various people and races. Amongst them are the Phryges and the Macedonians, a Greek race related to the Dorians. Here, on the foothill of Pieria, between the villages Vergina and Palatitsia, the Macedonians established their capital Aeges, and this resulted in Imathia becoming the heart of the Macedonian Kingdom, the administrative, political, religious and geographical center of the state.

EXCAVATIONS IN THE AREA OF VERGINA have so far revealed a magnificent palace with beautiful mosaic floors, of the period when King Philip the II, and Alexander the Great were reigning, the ancient theater where Philip was assassinated in 336 b.C., the sanctuary of Efklia with two temples, the sanctuary of the Mother of Gods, the hellenistic citadel and parts of the city's fortresses. Even more impressive are the findings which came to light in the vast necropolis. Among these findings are the golden tombs of the 6th and 5th century b.C., and 11 Macedonian style tombs. The most significant of these tombs are the tomb of Evridiki, Philip's mother, with a brilliant marble throne, the tomb of Persefoni and surely the tomb of Philip and the tomb of the Prince, which might belong to Alexander the IV, the son of Alexander the Great, with exquisite wallpaintings and priceless treasures, which accompanied the honored dead to their last dwelling (beds made out of gold and ivory, golden urns, golden wreaths, etc.). These tombs are open to the public.

NAOUSSA
In the city which is built on the foothill of eastern Vermio, one can still see blocks of traditional folk architecture at the neighbourhoods of Alonia and Metamorfossi. Earlier buildings built during the years of the first industrial development (beginning of the 20th century) are of particular interest and the same holds for industrial buildings of that time such as the factory of Logos-Kirtsis-Turpalis. There are many beautiful landscapes such as the Park, the banks of Arapitsa river, the fountains and the grove of Agios Nikolaos.

ALEXANDRIA
It is the centre of a greater agricultural region and it is the only city in Greece named after Alexander the Great. There are a lot of agricultural industries in the area. It has a rich cultular tradition and the characteristic head cover of the traditional dress, the Katsuli, looks like a helmet of an ancient greek fighter. MUNICIPALITY OF IRINUPOLI, OF MELIKI, OF PLATI, OF ANTHEMION, OF ANTIGONIDON, OF APOSTOLOS PAVLOS, OF VERGINA, OF MAKEDONIDOS, OF DOVRA They are the rest of the municipalities in Imathia prefecture. Agricultural regions with industries mainly of agricultural products, they have a significant cultural and folklore tradition.

EVENTS
A lot of cultural events take place at Imathia during the year covering every aspect of artistic creation (theatre, music, dance, artistic etc). The events are organised mainly by the Cultural Centres of the Municipalities and by other cultural clubs in the area. The Centre of Cultural Initiatives of Veria which belongs to the National Cultural Network of Cities, the Municipal Cultural Enterprise and the Municipal Regional Theatre of Veria are institutions with a continuous presence in these events. The most significant events that take place here are:

Naoussa Carnival. Every year during Carnival festivities, Naoussa lives in the beat of the Carnival with people dressed in carnival costumes, dancing and celebration. “Genitsari and Bules” impress visitors with the ancient tradition that connects the ancient cult of Dionyssos with modern times. Carnival festivities take place also in other regions of the prefecture such as Meliki Municipality, Makrohori and elsewhere.

Early July the International PIRSOS and CIOP Festival takes place at Naoussa, with the participation of many dance groups from all over the world.

At summer - during August and September in particular - we have the most important cultural events, “IMATHIOTIKA”. During this period cultural events take place in all Imathia prefecture regions.

“Anastenaria” at Meliki, this very old tradition of walking over burning coal are a yearly attraction for a lot of visitors.

Finaly, there are local festivities in various regions all over the year, the traditional IpanigiriaM which are accompanied by various events

Prefecture of Imathia, www.goimathia.com
+30 23310 22310 Tourist office: +30 23310 74320 Veria Museum: +30 23310 24972 Vergina Archaeological site: +30 23310 92347

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