Destinacija / Destination
being in a space beyond time; a space where the conveniences of civilisation have yet to arrive... MOUNT OLYMPUS Mountain of the gods According to the ancient Greeks, 12 gods made their homes on the peaks of Olympus, a moun- tain shaped by winds and often hidden under clouds. Olympus is also the highest mountain in Greece, with its summit reaching 2,917 metres above sea level, and the highest peak is called Mytikas, meaning nose. This mountain is also a national park and has been declared a protected part of the global biosphere, demonstrating its importance to humanity. The Greeks believed that the mountain was topped by crys- tal palaces that were homes to the gods. Olympus was entered through a great door made of clouds. The palaces were built by the Cyclopes Titans, while their artworks were made and forged by the god Hephaestus. The chambers of Zeus and Hera were at the south- ern end of Olympus, from where they could observe Athens, The- bes, Sparta, Corinth and Mycenae. At the northern end, which over- looked Macedonia, were a kitch- en, banquet hall, armoury and workshops. The other gods lived in the middle. The gods lived inside Olympus. There they slept, passed judgement, ate and drank ambro- sia and nectar, while Apollo enter- tained them by playing the lyre. METEORA Heavenly monasteries The Meteora monasteries were erected on the tops of natural rock pillars that rise out of the Thes- salian plain. The remains of the first monastery buildings date back to the 11 th century, while today on- ly six of these monasteries remain active, despite them once number- ing as many as 24. This monastery complex represents a unique world attraction, as it was constructed on completely inaccessible natu- ral rock pillars that rise skywards
Thessaloniki region Divine spot under the sun Thessalonians often use the word “halara”, which means relax or take it easy, because in this city you really need to follow its pleasant, nonchalant rhythm. You will find time to do everything, even if you take regular breaks under a tangerine tree with a sea view
me scan
U mesecu u kom slavimo Uskrs vodimo vas na tri izleta iz Soluna – na Atos, Meteore i Olimp In the month when we celebrate Easter, excursions from Thessaloniki – to Athos, Olympus and Meteora we’re taking you on three
Any tour of Thessa- loniki almost always be- gins with a visit to the White Tower , which tourists climb up via a spiral staircase, en- joying the wonderful views from the top. Most also don’t forget to visit the famous Thessalonica Um- brellas, which have become one of the symbols of the city, or to stop and admire the famous mon- ument to Alexander the Great. A walk around Aristotelous Square is a given, as is enjoying lunch or a drink on the famous waterfront Nikis Avenue, with its stunning sea views. Thessaloniki is one of the largest Mediterranean ports, a university city and a large centre of trade, a city of fairs and festi- vals, but also a place of pilgrimage for many visitors who don’t miss out on touring the Allied military cemetery and World War I memo- rial park of Zeitenlik, where Serbi- an soldiers were also laid to rest. This is also a starting point for exploration, a place from which the road very quickly leads you to incredible landscapes filled with the beauty of nature, but also re- ligion. In the month when we this year celebrate Easter, we’re tak- ing you on three excursions from Thessaloniki – to Athos, Olympus and Meteora. MOUNT ATHOS Where the silence is audible According to Greek mytholo- gy, in ancient times this mountain was home to the Titans, the chil- dren of the gods (sons and daugh- ters of the sky god Uranus and the earth goddess Gaia). It was in doing battle with the Titans that
Poseidon, the god of the sea, lost his trident, and the falling weap- on formed the three narrow pen- insulas that are today known as the Halkidiki fingers. Mount Athos reaches a height of 2,033 metres and was named after one of the Gigantes, the suc- cessors of the Titans. The first Hal- kidiki prong was named after Mac- edonian king Cassandros, while the Sithonia finger was named after the giant Sithon, a son of Posei- don. The Cassandra peninsula is the closest to Thessaloniki, while Sithonia represents a unique part of the country, comprising high mountains and golden beaches, but the third finger, Mount Athos, Agio Oros (Holy Mountain), is spe- cial in every way. It boasts a unique Orthodox monastic theocratic re- public, which has existed for more than 1,000 years, with its monks living in accordance with church canon and in the spirit of Byzan- tine times, mysteriously nestled away in forests beside the sea. Among the 20 Orthodox mon- asteries in this place is Serbia’s own Hilandar. A man is unable to feel indifferent merely at the thought that he is in the same place where Saint Sava and his father Saint Sim- eon Mirotočivi walked, as well as many others who devoted their lives to prayer and headed out from this holy place to preach the faith around the world. Finding oneself there, in the church, surrounded by frescoes that date back centuries, absorbing the intoxicating aroma of frankincense, one can’t help but think that this is the epicentre of a very special energy. On Mount Athos one gets the impression of
up to 550 metres. Loosely trans- lated from Greek, the word Me- teoro would mean “suspended in mid-air” or “floating in the sky”, which is also the first association when initially observing this ho- ly place, with the monasteries jut- ting over cliffs at the very tops of the rock pillars. According to tradition, the first monasteries here were built using primitive methods, with builders using ropes and pulleys to hoist up the required stone, tools, ropes and all other essentials. Curious visi- tors would always ask the priests how often they change the ropes, to which the priests would reply, “whenever the Lord allows them to break”. The monastic cells can still be seen today in the hollows of the rocks, while walkways leading up to the buildings were only built in the early 20 th century, so they can today be reached via a combina- tion of paths and stairs. The ter- ritory of Meteora was declared a holy place, inviolable and immuta- ble, in 1995, according to Greek law and the decision of the Syn- od of the Greek Orthodox Church. Meteora’s most accessible mon- astery, and its only female mon- astery, is the Monastery of Agi- os Stefanos.
106 | Solun » Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki » Solun | 107
Made with FlippingBook interactive PDF creator