Northern Greece - Greece - page 502

Following the walls, peek over for great sea views before reaching the more extensive
Church A ruins, protected by a wooden enclosure. Built over a 2nd-century-AD Hellen-
istic warehouse, it has faint fresco remains. At the castle's nearby northeastern edge,
scale the narrow stair for magnificent views of sandy Skotinas Beach below and Mt
Olympus behind.
Skeletal outlines of medieval dwellings ( oikous ) and shops are signposted further
down the walls. The final upwards turn into the archway leads to the acropolis , where
the castle's deep cistern lies, under a grate. This well-protected space contains the
castle's most magnificent tower, the pyrgos ; unfortunately closed, it dates from the 14th
century, and the last Byzantine (Palaeologan) dynasty.
Archaeologists believe that Late Antique Herakleion was originally here. Sadly, fund-
ing is currently lacking to continue excavations. As at Dion, the castle hosts concerts dur-
ing the Festival Olympou ( Click here ).
TOP OF CHAPTER
VeriaΒέροια
POP 48,306
Around 75km west of Thessaloniki on the Vergina road, Veria might seem unremarkable
at first. However, its atmospheric old quarters, cool museums and Byzantine churches
make it worth a peek. While nearby agricultural interests make it primarily a business
destination, Veria also has good eating and nightlife.
Sights & Activities
Barbouta HISTORIC AREA
Veria's evocative former Jewish Quarter, Barbouta is reached from Plateia Andoniou
down Vasileos Konstandinou, old Veria's commercial street, with shops and kafeneia .
The huge, ancient plane tree here is where the Turks hanged Archbishop Arsenios in
1430, after taking Veria. Opposite, the decapitated minaret on the dilapidated 12th-cen-
tury cathedral indicates Ottoman interference.
Archaeological Museum MUSEUM
( 23310 24972; Leof Anixeos 45; 8.30am-3pm Tue-Sun) This museum, at Anixeos'
northern end, contains Vergina tomb finds. Funerary items, ancient vases, silver, gold and
a lovely statue of 'Aphrodite taking off her sandals' also impress.