The Dion Archaeological Park is situated in view of the legendary Mount Olympus, the mytohlogical house of the Olympic Gods. The Park is half swamp and half ancient city. It is a playground for both archaeologists and naturalists. The city once hosted such notables as Alexander the Great.
The site features two theaters, one Greek and one Roman. Furthermore there is a Roman bath complex, complete with a well-preserved example of the hypocaust system used to heat the floors. On the other side of the Roman road lies a series of private houses. The most notable is the Villa of Dionysus, named for a mosaic depicting the God in his chariot.
The Dion Archaeological Park is home to several sanctuaries as well. The highlight of these is undoubtedly the sanctuary of the Egyptian Goddess Isis. The sanctuary is accessed by a raised walkway and is almost completely submerged. It consists of three small temples. In front of the main temple run two long, parallel walls. This corridor was the entrance to the site. It represented the Nile, in which the Goddess’ beloved Osiris drowned. While exploring the flooded sanctuary, it is easy to imagine the Goddess looking sadly out over the great river.
It started as the sacred seat of Olympian Zeus, then as a Roman colony. Finally as a bishopric in the Christian era. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the site was rediscovered. The city monuments have been restored and left in their original locations, making visitors feel as though they are in a truly forgotten city.
There is also a Museum housing artifacts found during the excavations, including the unique Dion hydraulis, or water organ.
