New €1.7m funding for restoration of Mount Olympus monastery

The Region of Central Macedonia has approved €1.7 million in funding, through the NSRF, for the restoration and reuse of the northern wing of the Holy Monastery of Agios Dionysios on Mount Olympus in Pieria. The decision was signed by regional governor Athina Ahladona, on the same day as the inauguration of the already restored western wing of the monastery, attended by Culture Minister Lina Mendoni and deputy regional governor of Pieria Sofia Mavridou.

The western wing had been destroyed during World War II. Deputy governor Sofia Mavridou said its restoration is "a legacy for Pieria and future generations." Governor Ahladona stated that once the new intervention is complete, "the northern wing building will be fully restored and functional."

The old monastery was built in the 16th century at an altitude of about 850 meters, within the Enipeas gorge, roughly 17km from Litochoro. It suffered damage in 1753, 1790, 1822 and 1877, with the most severe destruction occurring in 1943, when it was blown up by occupation forces.

The monastery complex includes two- and three-story wings of cells—north, south, east and west—surrounding a courtyard where the Katholikon stands. The inauguration of the western wing was attended by Metropolitan Georgios of Kitros, Katerini and Platamonas, the abbot Maximos, a representative of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, members of parliament, mayors and other officials.