 | |
no picture on Wikidata:  | |
| Pydna Greek Πύδνα | |
| Macedonia | region |
|---|---|
| no tourist info on Wikidata: | |
Pydna (or "Ancient Pydna") is an archaeological site in Macedonia in the north of Greece.
background
In the area of ancient Pydna there was already a settlement in the Bronze Age, in classical times the most important port city of the Macedonian kingdom existed here, in Byzantine times a bishopric and in the time of the first crusade a crusader fortress.
history
There was a late Neolithic settlement south of Makrygialos, which was moved to the coast of the Thermaic Gulf in the Bronze Age. In the meantime, parts of the early settlement have fallen into the sea.
In the classical period the city is mentioned by the Greek historian Thucydides: the city was founded around 432 BC. besieged by the Athenians and later by the Macedonian King Archelaus I from sea and land and after the capture, the city was moved 20 stadiums inland to today's Kitros. After the death of Archelaus I, the inhabitants moved back to their old town on the seashore, around 356 BC. the city fell to the Macedonian King Philip II, the father of Alexander the Great. After a siege the city was here Olympias of Epirus, one of the wives of King Philip II and mother of Alexander the Elder. Great by the general Cassanderwho had served under Alexander.
The city on the coast of the Thermaic Gulf remained one of the most important ports of the Macedonian Kingdom and one of the most important cities of the Pieria. A little to the south was the scene of the Battle of Pydna: the Roman legions fought the decisive battle here against the Macedonian troops of King Perseus, the phalanx of the Macedonian troops was drawn too far apart and, with their more old-fashioned way of waging war, could not do much to oppose the more mobile Roman legionaries, the Macedonian troops were massacred by the thousands. As a result, Macedonia became a Roman province.
Since Pydna was the most important port city of Pieria, it is quite understandable and likely that the apostle Paul was here on his second mission trip, at least after visiting Veria (Beröa) to continue to Athens embarked.
In the 4th century Pydna was Christianized, in the city a first and in the 6th century. a second basilica was built and the city was in Kitros renamed and became the bishopric. Near destruction by a Bulgarian invasion was at the end of the 10th century. a larger basilica was built.
In the first crusade, Frankish troops took the city in 1204 and converted the basilica into a crusader castle. A well was drilled in the apse and provisions were made. At the top of the apse a device called Fryktoria was built to provide light or light. Flare signals to the one on the opposite side of the thermal gulf Chalkidiki to submit. In the 6th and 10th centuries the city walls were built resp. Reinforced with towers, there were "Spolia", ancient building elements such as columns and a whs. reused neolithic figure. There are also remains of the city wall on the ancient road to the west Dion to recognize. In the 14th century the city was definitely left by the inhabitants and they settled in what is today 1 Kitros on, part of the ancient city fell into the sea as a result of coastal erosion.
landscape
The archaeological site is on a level above a steep coast characterized by erosion and falling down to the sea.
Flora and fauna
In spring, poppies and meadow flowers bloom, the ancient ruins are the focus of the visitor's interest.
getting there
"Ancient Pydna" or "Archaia Pydna" is that 1 Makrygialos exit the highway 
designated. The archaeological site can be reached on the coastal road 2 Archaia Pydna / Αρχαία Πύδνα, Parking on the roadside.
Fees / permits
Free entry. With a little luck you can get a free Greek - English - German tour from the supervisor. The supervisor does not take a tip for the very interesting explanations about the history of the city, he appreciates a Facebook greeting as compensation. Opening times on weekdays 7.30 a.m. - 2.30 p.m.
mobility
The archeological site can be visited on foot without any problems, it is not wheelchair accessible (
).
Tourist Attractions
- at the center of interest is the 1 Byzantine basilica: the three-aisled church was built on the foundation walls of two previous buildings from the 4th / 6th century. in the 10th century built; it was decorated with frescoes and mosaics. After the invasion of Franconian troops as part of the first crusade, the church was converted into a crusader fortress, a wall was built in the area of the altar wall and a deep well dug in the apse.
- The foundation of the fryktoria at the top of the apse is interesting. From here, torches or mirrors were used to direct light signals to the one on the opposite coast Chalkidiki sent and the messages from there Thessaloniki forwarded.
- On the northern outer wall of the basilica there was a cistern and pithoi, clay storage vessels for oil, set into the ground.
- the 2 city wall was probably reinforced under the crusaders, all sorts of ancient building materials, from stones with traces of processing from the Neolithic to fragments inscribed in Greek, all sorts of things were built into the wall with a few towers.
- In the entire archaeological site, only the uppermost Byzantine layer has been excavated and secured at the moment. The deeper layers of the early Christian period, the Roman and Classical Greek epochs lie below and have not yet been systematically researched. There are settlement areas throughout the excavation site and the city wall can be traced to the west - all of these areas are still subject to systematic exploration.
- the areas of the city facing the sea have fallen victim to coastal erosion and slipped into the sea.
- On both sides of the entrance there are lots of columns from different building eras deposited in the box like cigars.
activities
- the tour of the excavation site should take 30 - 60 minutes.
shop
There are no options for shopping or refreshment stops on site.
kitchen
accommodation
In the Pieria There are numerous accommodation options around Katerini, especially on the beach section to Platamonas numerous campsites.
