Ιερά Μονή Αγίου Διονυσίου

The Holy Monastery of Saint Dionysios on Mount Olympus consists of the Old and New Monastery. The Old Monastery, founded in 1542, is located in the Enipeas Gorge, while the New Monastery is built near Litochoro.

The Old Monastery

• History: The old monastery, which is located at an altitude of 900 meters, was founded by Saint Dionysios in the 16th century. It was burned and looted during the Ottoman occupation, and was blown up by the Nazis in 1943.

Today it can be visited as a museum.

• It served as a spiritual and national refuge during the years of Ottoman rule. It functioned as a manuscript copying center and a school, with the school textbooks still surviving.

• It was destroyed and rebuilt many times. In 1821 it was set on fire by the army of Beli Pasha and in 1943 it was blown up by the Germans.

• It was destroyed and rebuilt several times. In 1821 it was set on fire by the army of Veli Pasha and in 1943 it was blown up by the Germans.

• After the destruction, the monks were transferred to its metochi, near Litochoro, which is today the New Monastery of Agios Dionysios.

Access and visit

• By road: The Old Monastery is approximately 40 km from Katerini. To get there, follow the road to Litochoro and then the mountainous route to Prionia.

• Hiking: You can combine the visit with hiking. A popular route starts from Prionia, passes by the Holy Cave of Agios Dionysios and ends at the old monastery, following the international trail E4.

• Hours: Opening hours are 09:00-13:00. It is recommended to contact the Ephorate of Antiquities of Pieria (2351047883) or the Holy Monastery of Agios Dionysios (23520 21125) before visiting, as the monument is under restoration.

Points of interest

• Agios Spilaio: Located a short walk from the old monastery. It is the cave where Saint Dionysios practiced asceticism and holy water gushes forth.

• Ossuary: On the way to Agios Spilaio, you will come across the ossuary, where the remains of 1,400 monks are kept.

• Enipeas: The monastery is built inside the Enipeas gorge, offering a unique landscape of natural beauty.

Nea Moni

• Location: Located at the foot of Mount Olympus, just 3 kilometers from Litochoro.

• History: After the destruction of the old monastery in 1943, the brotherhood was transferred to its metochi near Litochoro, which became the new monastery.

• Operation: It operates normally and is open daily from sunrise to sunset.

• Contact: The contact telephone number for the Holy Monastery of Saint Dionysios on Olympus is 23520 21125.