Pieria is one of the
regional units of Greece. It is located in the southern part of
Macedonia, in the
Region of
Central Macedonia. Its capital is the town of
Katerini. Pieria is the smallest regional unit within Macedonia. The name Pieria originates from the ancient tribe
Pieres and the ancient country of Pieris. In Pieria, there are many sites of archeological interest, such as
Dion,
Pydna and
Platamonas. Pieria is also home to Mt. Pierus where Hermes launches himself from to visit Calypso (Odyssey 5.50), home to
Orpheus and the
Muses, as well as the
Pierian Spring.
Mt. Olympus, the highest mountain in Greece and throne of the ancient Greek gods, is located in the southern part of Pieria. Other ancient cities included
Leibethra and
Pimpleia.