Katerini (, ) is a city and a municipality in northern Greece. It is the capital of the Pieria regional unit in Central Macedonia. It lies on the Pierian plain, between Mount Olympus and the Thermaikos Gulf, at an altitude of 14 m. The municipality of Katerini has a population of 82,891 (according to the 2021 census). Peristasi are visited by both Greek and foreign tourists during the summer season. The base of Mount Olympus and the town of Litochoro, are at a distance of around 20 km from the center of Katerini. The ski center of Elatochori in Mount Pieria is at a distance of 33.4 km from the city's center.

Name and history

The origin of the name is obscure. Since the 13th century, travellers as well as maps record the existence of a settlement called Hatera (), which may have been the origin of the modern name. Thus Felix Beaujour recorded its name as "Katheri", while François Pouqueville gives the name of the settlement as "Kateri Hatera". According to another theory, the city derives its name from the small chapel dedicated to Saint Catherine (Greek: , Agia Aikaterini) to the east of the city, dating to at least the early 19th century. The latter hypothesis influenced official usage in Greek, where the city is found as "Aikaterini" (Greek: ) or "Agia Aikaterini" (Greek: ) until the early 20th century, when the vernacular name Katerini (Greek: ) prevailed. Refugees from the Greek genocide settled in Katerini. With the population exchange between Greece and Turkey in 1923 the city's Muslims were expelled, while Greek refugees from Eastern Thrace and Greek Evangelicals from Asia Minor took their place, almost doubling the city's population from 6,540 in 1920 to 10,138 in 1928. and was liberated on 26 October 1944.

Geography

Administrative division

The Municipality of Katerini was formed in 2011 with the Kallikratis Programme administrative reform by the merger of the following 6 former municipalities, that became municipal units of the newly formed Municipality of Katerini.

The municipality Katerini is subdivided into 6 municipal units, each of which is divided into municipal communities.

{|class=wikitable style="text-align: center;"

|-

! colspan="3" | Municipality of Katerini

|-

| colspan="3" width="250" | Municipal Units

|-

! M.U. Elafina || M.U. Katerini || M.U. Korinos

|-

| Municipal Communities || Municipal Communities || Municipal Communities

|- style="vertical-align: top;"

||

  • Aronas
  • Elafos
  • Exochi
  • Katalonia
  • Lagorrachi
  • Moschopotamos
  • Palaio Keramidi
  • Trilofos

||

  • Ano Agios Ioannis
  • Ganochora
  • Katerini
  • Neokaisareia
  • Svoronos

||

  • Kato Agios Ioannis
  • Korinos
  • Koukkos
  • Nea Trapezounta
  • Sevasti

|-

! M.U. Paralia || M.U. Petra || M.U. Pierioi

|- style="vertical-align: top;"

| Municipal Communities || Municipal Communities || Municipal Communities

|- style="vertical-align: top;"

|

  • Kallithea
  • Paralia
  • Peristasi

||

  • Agios Dimitrios
  • Foteina
  • Lofos
  • Milia
  • Moschochori

||

  • Elatochori
  • Ritini
  • Vria

|}

{|class=wikitable style="text-align: center;"

|-

! colspan="2"| City of Katerini

|- style="text-align: center;"|

|-

| colspan="2"| Major Districts

|- style="text-align: center;"|

|

  • Center (Greek: )
  • Analipsi ()
  • Nea Zoi ()
  • Agia Anna ()
  • Evaggelika ()
  • Thrakiotika ()
  • Agia Triada ()
  • Agios Fotios ()
  • Municipal Park ()
  • Agia Paraskevi ()
  • Ergatikes Katikies ()

||

  • Vatan ()
  • Hiradika ()
  • Paradisos ()
  • Mylavlakos ()
  • Agioi Pantes ()
  • Katafygiotika ()
  • Agia Aikaterini ()
  • Ethniko Stadio ()
  • Kapnikos Stathmos ()
  • Astika (Aston) []
  • Railway station ()

|}

Climate

Katerini has a humid subtropical climate that is characterised by warm to hot, dry summers and cool and more humid winters (Köppen climate classification: Cfa).

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Local food

Katerini is located near several villages which are renowned for their high quality products, specifically kiwis, wines, cherries, strawberries, apples, olives, olive oil, truffle oil, truffles, mushrooms, grapes, mineral water, herbs with the most well-known being the Greek mountain tea locally in Pieria known as "Tea of Olympus", honey and honey products (propolis, royal jelly, beeswax ointment, bee pollen), dairy products (milk, butter, kefir, yogurt), cheese (feta, kasseri, manouri, anthotyros, kefalotyri, mizithra), chickens (meat, eggs), black pigs (meat, cured meat, sausages). Katerini Steppe Cattle originate from Katerini. This breed belonging to the Podolian cattle is at high risk of extinction, and is well known for its meat and milk. It is found now in the region of Thessaly. The cuisine of Katerini is Greece's Macedonian cuisine. Seafood comes mainly from the seaport of Paralia.

Economy

thumb|Nine Muses Art Center (former Dimitrios Tsalopoulos Mansion) built in 1908 declared an Asset of Artistic Interest in 1979 by the Ministry of Culture

Katerini is the administrative and economic center of Pieria. for smart tourism. The project aims to promote sustainable development practices and access to tourism and hospitality through Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) with the collaboration of other EU selected destinations. Katerini has received a gold award of Circular Economy and a silver award of Environmental Excellence to Local Authorities at the Environmental Awards 2022 at Hellenic Foundation for Culture on 28 September 2022. It is the first municipality in Greece in which the pilot implementation of the SMARTREC Platform for the recycling of cooking oil is taking place. This implementation is with collaboration with the International Hellenic University. The municipality participates in the European program "LIFE-IP AdaptInGR – Boosting the implementation of adaptation policy across Greece" (2019–2026) for the adaptation to the effects of climate change, led by the Ministry of Environment and Energy.

The following organizations are based in Katerini: the Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Pieria, Dimitra Agricultural-Livestock-farming Association of Katerini, Agios Modestos Sheep-Goat Farmers Association of Pieria, Consortium of Agricultural Tobacco Cooperatives of Pieria, Pieria Hoteliers Association, Federation of Letting Rooms and Accommodations of Pieria, Imathia, Pella (OEDDPIP), Travel Agents Association of Pieria.

Every year it operates the Trade-Craft Exhibition Activity of Pieria & Central Makedonia (EBEP-KM), and the open-air market and traditional Greek festival Emporopanigyri known as Panigyri in August-September, taking place at the exhibition area of the Municipality of Katerini in the Andromachi settlement. The Park Festival is held at the Municipal Park of Katerini in April with street food and fun activities. In October, the Fest of Honey for honey and bee products is held at the Municipal Park of Katerini, organized by the Agios Filaretos o Eleimon Bee⁠-⁠keeping Association of Pieria, under the auspices of the Municipality of Katerini. The Municipality of Katerini, in collaboration with the Zeus Athletic Cultural Club of Pieria's Runners, organizes every year the "Run for Katerini" 8&nbsp;km road race, part of the events celebrating the liberation of Katerini on 16 October 1912.

Agriculture

thumb|Katerini Municipal Park where there is a small artificial lake

Katerini lies in the middle of a plain and is thus an agricultural city. 26,775 people were employed in agriculture in Pieria as of 2000. There is cultivation of tobacco in the region and a lot of people spend considerable resources for its development and for exports of the product. The Union of Agricultural Cooperatives of Pieria has 9,000 members, of which 2,000 grow tobacco. Katerini - and Pieria - is the area in Greece where kiwis were first cultivated in 1973 who was application agronomist at the Pieria Directorate of Agriculture. The Aktinidio Pierias is cultivated in Pieria and is a part of the Hayward kiwi variety. It is registered as a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) product with the awarding of certification on 22 November 2002.

Tourism

thumb|[[Paralia Katerinis|Paralia beach where there is the port and the pier.]]

Katerini is a popular tourist destination that attracts visitors from Greece and abroad. Within the boundaries of the municipality, there are seasonal and all year round over 230 hotels, that can accommodate more than 8,600 people, short-term rental accommodatios, and tourist accommodations. The vast majority of the tourist infrastructure, including tens of tavernas and cafes, lie in Paralia and Olympiaki Akti. These two localities are linked with roads, sidewalks and bicycle lanes.

Winter tourism has started developing in the area with the Elatochori ski resort. Katerini is surrounded by ancient archaeological sites as Dion, Leivithra, Pydna, Louloudies and Platamon Castle. Mount Olympus is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve designated in 1981. Olympus National Woodland Park, of the National parks of Greece, is popular for hiking and sports.

Public health

The National Health System (ESY) in Katerini has the:

  • General Hospital of Katerini, in the area of Neo Keramidi.
  • Health Center of Katerini.
  • 4th Local Health Group (T.OM.Y.) of Katerini
  • Regional Care Center in Paralia operates each summer season.
  • Atraktos Center for the Prevention of Addictions and Promotion of Psychosocial Health of the Regional Unit of Pieria.

The Municipal Social Care Center of Katerini of the Municipality of Katerini is housed in the premises of the former General Hospital of Katerini and provides primary health care services to the vulnerable social groups that has been equipped and funding from a Migrant and Refugee Fund (MRF) grant received through the Council of Europe Development Bank. The social welfare program "Help at Home" operates by Municipality of Katerini supports vulnerable, elderly and people with disabilities who are unable to support themselves and are in need of help at home. In 2020, Municipality of Katerini acquired a mobile (vehicle mounted frequency selective) measurement station that monitor the electromagnetic field levels from antenna stations in the frequency range 100KHz–7&nbsp;GHz, which is operated and controlled by the Greek Atomic Energy Commission (EEAE), with the aim of public information about high-frequency electromagnetic fields levels. The results are presented through an interactive web portal and mobile application.

Municipality of Katerini operates its office for local stray animals.

Transport

Local transport

The national bus lines service is provided by the KTEL Pieria station (Pieria intercity (coach) bus station, terminal) for intercity buses located in Katerini. The local bus lines between Katerini and its nearby settlements are served by the urban buses of the KTEL Katerini, which has lines towards Ano Agios Ioannis, Aronas, Dion, Moschochori, Olympiaki Akti, Paralia, Palaio Keramidi, Neo Nosokomeio (New General Hospital of Katerini), Nea Trapezounta, Vrontou. These routes serve all the settlements that lie between Katerini and the aforementioned final destinations. It is also connected with Athens and all the intermediate stations by Intercity train routes.

Demographics

Historical population

{| class=wikitable

! Year !! Community population !! Municipal unit population !! Municipality population

|-

| 1913 || 7,393 || - || -

|-

| 1920 Aromanians of Katerini mainly descend from nearby Aromanian settlements of Livadi and Kokkinopilos, and in lesser numbers from Samarina, Moscopole, Avdella, Perivoli and Smixi.

A large Greek community of the Katerini diaspora is particularly located in Boston, Massachusetts.

Religion

thumb|Evangelical Church at the Park of the Evangelicals in the Evaggelika districkt of Katerini, which was built in 1925 and rebuilt in 1931.

The Metropolis of Kitros, Katerini and Platamon, a part of the Church of Greece which is a part of the wider Greek Orthodox Church, has 16 congregations within the city of Katerini. There is also an Old Calendarist church in the city. Katerini has a relatively numerous Protestant community, as a result of the organised settlement of Evangelical Greek refugees from Asia Minor and Pontus (region). Today the Greek Evangelical Church of Katerini has almost 1,100 followers, many of them are concentrated in the Evaggelika district of the city of Katerini. Other Protestant denominations, that have a church within the city, are the Free Apostolic Church of Pentecost, the Greek Apostolic Church of Pentecost and the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The Protestant community is fully integrated in the life of the city, but in the past there were tensions between the Evangelical community and the Greek Orthodox majority. These tensions led to the arson of the Evangelical Church of Katerini from a Greek Orthodox mob in March 1930. Preschool, Primary, Second Chance Adult School (SDE), Unified Special Vocational Gymnasium-High School Laboratory of Special Vocational Education (EEEEK), Vocational School (EPAS) of Public Employment Service (DYPA), General High Schools, Music High School, Vocational High School, Model Vocational High School, Evening Vocational High School, Unified Special Vocational Gymnasium-High School, Public School of Advanced Vocational Training (DSAEK) of Katerini, Public School of Advanced Vocational Training (DSAEK) of the General Hospital of Katerini, International Hellenic University - Katerini Campus, of the Ministry of Tourism supervised by the Experimental School of Advanced Vocational Training of Tourism of Makedonia for employed and unemployed persons of tourism professions operate at times after an official public announcement.

Various others are: Private schools (preschool, primary, secondary), Municipal Odeion of Katerini that is a conservatoire of music education, Private School of Meat Professions of Lydia, Private School of Advanced Vocational Training (ISAEK) of Lydia, Private School for Lifeguards of Lifeguard Patrol, Training courses by the Rescue Team of Pieria, School of Samaritans and Rescuers of the Hellenic Red Cross (HRC) Volunteer Corps of Samaritans, Rescuers and Lifeguards - Branch of Katerini.

From 2006 to 2016 was operating the Second Chance Seminary School of Katerini of the Ministry of Education, that was suspended its operation since the academic year 2016–2017, which was a two years public ecclesiastical lifelong learning education boarding school housed in the Ecclesiastical Guesthouse of the Metropolis of Kitros, Katerini and Platamon in the Prosilio settlement.

Sports

Athletic centers

  • 1st Municipal Athletic Center of Katerini (A DAK) where is the 4,995-seat open-air Stadium of Katerini.
  • 2nd Municipal Athletic Center of Katerini (B DAK) "Theodoros Diamantopoulos" comprises Indoor Sports Stadium, football field, tennis courts, basketball courts, indoor shooting range, indoor swimming pool.
  • Indoor Sports Stadium of Katerini Railway Station.

Football

Katerini is represented by two football teams in the national leagues; Pierikos, has its home stadium named 1st Municipal Athletic Center of Katerini, a club currently playing in the Gamma Ethniki (Third National) category, and the women's football club of Pierides Muses, playing in the Women's Gamma Ethniki category.

Other sports

  • . GAS Archelaos Katerinis.

{|class="wikitable"

|-

!colspan="4"|Sport clubs based in Katerini

|-

!width="250"|Club

!Founded

!Sports

!Achievements

|-

|Pierikos <br/><small>(Former:Megas Alexandros Katerini & Olympos Katerini)</small>||1961<br/><small>(1922) <br/>(1946)</small> ||Football, Volleyball ||Earlier presence in A Ethniki football, finalist Greek cup

|-

|GAS Archelaos Katerinis ||1956||Handball, Track and Field and other sports ||Panhellenic titles in Greek Handball

|-

|Ethnikos Katerini F.C.||1973||Football||Earlier presence in Gamma Ethniki

|-

|Vataniakos F.C.||1978||Football||Earlier presence in Beta Ethniki

|-

|Pierikos-Archelaos B.C.||2008||Basketball||Presence in A1 Ethniki and A2 Ethniki

|}

  • Chess Club of Katerini
  • Go-kart Track of Katerini in Paralia
  • Free Cyclists of Pieria (ELPPI)
  • Olympios Cycling Club of Katerini
  • Cycling Escape of Pieria - Cycling Club
  • DIAS Environmental and Cycling Club of Katerini
  • Mad Jackals Motorcycle Riders Club of Katerini
  • Athlos Sports Club (weightlifting, track and field)
  • Aiolos Sports and Cultural Club of Katerini (volleyball)
  • Olympioi of Katerini Gymnastics Sports Club (wrestling)
  • Pyrros Dimas Sports Club (weightlifting, track and field) basketball
  • Katerini Tennis Club
  • Tennis Club of Katerini (OAK)
  • Equestrian Club of Pieria
  • DIAS Sports Swimming Club
  • Nautical Club of Katerini (NOKAT)
  • Asterias Sports Academy (water sports)
  • Nereus Sports Academy of Katerini (water sports)
  • Vouliaxtaria Underwater Explorers and Diving Club
  • Sports Academy of Pieria '92 - Swimming Academy
  • Club of Greek Mountaineers (SEO) of Katerini
  • Hellenic Mountaineering Club (EOS) of Katerini
  • Ski Club of Katerini - Skiing & Snowboarding Academy
  • Tritones of Katerini Friends of Free Diving - Underwater Fishing
  • Poseidon Sports & Cultural Club of Katerini - Swimming Academy

Notable people

  • Basil Athanasiadis (1970), musician, composer
  • Eleni Chatziliadou (1993), karateka, karate world champion 2018
  • Georgios Diamantidis (1984), swimmer who specialized in long-distance freestyle events
  • Elias Gaganelis, founder of the Replicar Hellas car firm in Katerini
  • Dimitris Giannoulis (1995), footballer
  • (1942), painter, director, university professor
  • Stelios Malezas (1985), footballer
  • Dimos Magklaras (1940–2024), long jumper
  • Katerina Nikolaidou (1992), rower, 4th place 2016 Olympic Games, 2nd place in the lightweight single sculls at the 2014 and 2013 World Rowing Championships
  • Kyriakos Papadopoulos (1992), footballer
  • Elisavet Pesiridou (1992), hurdler
  • Marios Sakellariou (born 1992), Greek professional basketball player
  • Yannis K. Semertzidis (1961), physicist
  • Alexandros Tziolis (1985), footballer
  • (1903–1943), politician, mayor of Katerini

International relations

Katerini is twinned with:

  • Brăila, Romania
  • Karlovo, Bulgaria
  • Čačak, Serbia
  • Kragujevac, Serbia
  • Maintal, Germany
  • Moosburg, Austria
  • Surgut, Russia

<gallery class="center">

File:Statue of Liberty (Katerini).jpg |The Statue of Liberty at Eleftherias (Liberty) Square that is the Katerini’s central square

File:Αστική Σχολή Κατερίνης.jpg |Civil School of Katerini (former 1st Primary School of Katerini)

File:Dimarxio katerini.jpg |City Hall of Katerini at City Hall Square

File:Katerini sintrivani.jpg|A fountain in Municipal Park

File:Heroes Square (Katerini).jpg |Heroes’ Square

File:Пешеходная улица в Katerini (31077899088).jpg |Giorgakis Olympios bust statue at the Giorgakis Olympios Street

File:Katerini - Eirinis Street.jpg |Cathedral Church of the Holy Ascension

File:Gebäude des Vereins Mikrasiaton Pierias.jpg| Association of Asia Minor of Pieria

File:Enosi Pontion Pierias, Gebäude.jpg |Union of Pontians of Pieria

File:Katerini park3.jpg |Municipal Park

</gallery>

See also

  • List of settlements in Piera
  • History of Pieria

References