Ancient Pydna

The ancient city of Pydna was built about a kilometer south of Makrigialos, on the shores of Thermaikos. It has been known for great prosperity during the Byzantine years, as a port, an intermediate station between the North and the South of Greece, it’s important for its pottery workshop and for its salt pans. The city is known for the Battle of Pydna, between the troops of the last king of Macedonia, Perseus, and the Roman army under Aemilius Paullus, which signified the domination of the Romans and the submission of Greece in 168 BC.

Pydna was renamed Kitros by the Romans and over the centuries grew as the most important city of Pieria but was also looted by various conquerors. Its famous castle, which is preserved in the archeological site, is a creation of the Franks, who repaired and strengthened the previous Roman fortification. The city was abandoned in the 14th century after it was destroyed in the middle of the civil dispute for the succession to the throne of Byzantium. Excavations uncovered the west gate of the castle, the foundations of an inn, bath, and a small basilica, as well as numerous early Christian marbles and sculptures of the 10th and 11th centuries and a number of finds, which confirmed the strong position of the city. Parts of two early Christian basilicas of the 4th and 6th centuries were found inside the castle.