Platamon

Platamon
Πλαταμώνας

Platamon
Platamon

Coordinates: 39°59.4′N 22°37.5′E / 39.9900°N 22.6250°ECoordinates: 39°59.4′N 22°37.5′E / 39.9900°N 22.6250°E
Country Greece
Administrative region Central Macedonia
Regional unit Pieria
Municipality Dio-Olympos
Municipal unit East Olympos
Time zone EET (UTC+2)
  Summer (DST) EEST (UTC+3)
Area code(s) 23520
Vehicle registration KN

Platamon (Greek: Πλαταμώνας - Platamonas) is a town and sea-side resort in south Pieria, Central Macedonia, Greece. Platamon has a population of about 2,000 permanent inhabitants. It is part of the Municipal unit of East Olympos of the Dio-Olympos municipality.

History

The Castle of Platamon.

The ancient settlement Herakleion was situated near the present town Platamon.[1] Its most famous landmark is the 12th century Byzantine Castle of Platamon, built strategically along the main road from Thessaly to Macedonia through the Vale of Tempe.

Geography

Platamon is situated on the Aegean Sea coast, 25 km southeast of Mount Olympus. Adjacent beach towns are Neoi Poroi to the southeast and Neos Panteleimonas to the northwest. It is 33 km south of Katerini and 43 km northeast of Larissa.

Tourism

View from the Castle of Platamon.

Platamon is regarded as one of the most significant tourist destinations in Pieria. The town is home to numerous restaurants, cafeterias, hotels and camping resorts. Platamon is connected to the cities of Katerini and Larissa through the bus and train transportation system.

During summertime the population reaches approximately 120,000 because of the number of visitors and tourists. A great number of tourists come from eastern countries as well as from local Greek towns such as Larissa and Katerini.

Sports

Club logo

Akadimia Platamona (Platamon Academy) is a Greek football club, based in Platamon, Pieria. In 2012, the club were promoted to Football League 2 after finishing the champions of Group 3 of Delta Ethniki, the fourth tier of the Greek football league system.[2] Eventually the small club decided that promotion to this level was a step too far and they cooperated with Aiginiakos who took over their place at the third level. Akadimia Platamona still exist having been demoted to the Local Championship of Pieria for the 2012/13 season. The club play their home matches at the Neoi Poroi Stadium in nearby Neoi Poroi.

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Platamon.