Greece; Dion Archaeological Park | UA: Греція; Археологічний парк Діон

Описание: Greece; Dion Archaeological Park | UA: Греція; Археологічний парк Діон
The Dion Archaeological Park is located at the foot of Mount Olympus, near the modern village of Dion, among moist meadows, streams, and groves. This was the site of the sacred "city-reserve" of the Macedonian kings, where Olympian Zeus and the Muses were especially venerated. Excavations have uncovered a vast ancient polis covering approximately 150 hectares, with residential quarters, squares, craft workshops, and sanctuary areas, now converted into a large open-air museum.
During the Classical and Hellenistic periods, Dion became the main religious center of Macedonia. Festivals and athletic competitions in honor of Zeus and the Muses were held here, and Alexander the Great sacrificed before his campaign against Persia. The city survived destruction by the Aetolians in the 2nd century BC, was rebuilt by Philip V, later became a Roman colony, and became a bishopric in the early Christian period. Over time, the ancient center fell into disrepair due to floods and earthquakes, but systematic excavations began in the 20th century and continue to this day.
Walking through the park, you can see the remains of city streets, a forum, family homes, and several theaters—Greek and Roman. Particularly impressive are the Roman baths, with a well-preserved hypocaust system and a complex network of canals demonstrating a high level of engineering. Beyond the urban sprawl stretch the sanctuary zones: the complex of Olympian Zeus, cult sites of Demeter, Asclepius, and the goddess Isis, with a canal symbolizing the Nile. Along with the temples, a stadium, tombs, and a necropolis have been discovered, forming an entire sacred landscape.
The Dion Archaeological Museum in the modern village plays a special role, housing statues, mosaics, inscriptions, and everyday objects—from elegant jewelry to the famous hydraulis, an ancient "water organ." The exhibition helps us imagine the lives of the ancient city's inhabitants, and special rooms are dedicated to finds from sanctuaries and early Christian basilicas. The contrast between the cool museum halls and the humid, green park with ruins overgrown with grass and moss creates a holistic impression of an ancient city slowly being brought back from oblivion.