Katerini (Greek: Κατερίνη, Kateríni, pronounced[kateˈrini]) is a city and municipality in northern Greece, the capital city of Pieria regional unit in Central Macedonia, Greece. 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 82,892 (according to the 2021 census).[2] It is the second most populous urban area in the region of Macedonia after Thessaloniki. The close distance between the two cities (68 km), has been beneficial for Katerini's development over recent years. Katerini is accessible from the A1/E75 Athens–Thessaloniki motorway (with the Katerini's South, East and North interchanges) and the A2 motorway to the north. It is served by Intercity, Proastiakos (Suburban Railway) and local trains on the main Athens-Thessaloniki railway line and there is a comprehensive regional and national bus service with its hub in the city.
A popular tourist destination in northern Greece, Katerini is close to the sea (7 km) and to several archaeological sites of great interest such as the ancient city of Dion (5th century BC, 17 km away), ancient Leivithra (27 km away), ancient Pydna (16 km away) and the Castle of Platamon. The beaches of Kallithea, Korinos, Olympiaki Akti (or Katerinoskala), Paralia (where the 3rd Port Authority Department of Skala Katerini is located),[3]Peristasi are visited by both Greek and foreign tourists during the summer season.[4][5][6] The base of Mount Olympus and the town of Litochoro, are at a distance of around 20 km from the center of Katerini.[7][8][9][10] The ski center of Elatochori in Mount Pieria is at a distance of 33.4 km from the city's center.[11][12][13][14]
The origin of the name is obscure. Since the 13th century, travellers as well as maps record the existence of a settlement called Hatera (Ἅτηρα), 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".[15][16] According to another theory, the city derives its name from the small chapel dedicated to Saint Catherine (Greek: Αγία Αικατερίνη, 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: Αικατερίνη) or "Agia Aikaterini" (Greek: Αγία Αικατερίνη) until the early 20th century, when the vernacular name Katerini (Greek: Κατερίνη) prevailed.[15]
According to the reports of travellers, at the turn of the 19th century, the city had four to five thousand inhabitants, mostly Greeks. In 1806, William Martin Leake recorded 100 hearths, while four years later Daniel recorded 140. For the remainder of the 19th century, the number of homes remained steady at about 300, with a population in 1900 of 2,070 Orthodox Christians and 600 Muslims.[15]
The Municipality of Katerini was formed in 2011 with the Kallikratis Programme administrative reform[20][21][22] by the merger of the following 6 former municipalities, that became municipal units of the newly formed Municipality of Katerini.[23][24][25][26][27][28][29]
The municipality Katerini is subdivided into 6 municipal units, each of which is divided into municipal communities.
Katerini is the administrative and economic center of Pieria. In 2022 it joined the EU Smart Tourism Destinations Project[54][55] for smart tourism. The project aims to promote sustainable development practices and access to tourism and hospitality through Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)[56][57][58][59] with the collaboration of other EU selected destinations.[60][61][62][63] 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.[64][65] It is the first municipality in Greece in which the pilot implementation of the SMARTREC Platform[66][67][68][69] 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)[70][71][72] 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,[73] Dimitra Agricultural-Livestock-farming Association of Katerini,[74] Sheep-Goat Farmers of Pieria Agricultural Cooperative of Prefecture of Pieria,[74] Agios Modestos Sheep-Goat Farmers Association of Pieria,[74] Union of Agricultural Cooperatives of Pieria,[75] Consortium of Agricultural Tobacco Cooperatives of Pieria,[76] Pieria Hoteliers Association,[77][78] Federation of Letting Rooms and Accommodations of Pieria, Imathia, Pella (OEDDPIP),[79][80] Travel Agents Association of Pieria.[81]
Every year it operates the Trade-Craft Exhibition Activity of Pieria & Central Makedonia (EBEP-KM),[82] and the open-air market and traditional Greek festival Emporopanigyri known as Panigyri[83] 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.[84][85][86] In October, the Fest of Honey for honey and bee products is held at the Municipal Park of Katerini, and is organized by the Agios Filaretos o Eleimon Bee-keeping Association of Pieria,[87][88] under the auspices of the Municipality of Katerini.
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.[89] 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.[90] Katerini - and Pieria - is the area in Greece where kiwis were first cultivated in 1973[90][91] at the initiative of Tasos Michos[92][93] 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.[94][31][95][32][96]
4th Local Health Group (T.OM.Y.) of Katerini[121][122] housed in the premises of the Health Center of Katerini and National Organization for Health Care Services (EOPYY).
12th Local Health Group (T.OM.Y.) of Katerini housed in the premises of the former General Hospital of Katerini.[121]
Regional Care Center in Paralia operates each summer season.[123]
Atraktos Center for the Prevention of Addictions and Promotion of Psychosocial Health of the Regional Unit of Pieria.[124]
The Municipal Social Care Center of Katerini[125][126] 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.[127] 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 GHz, which is operated and controlled by the Greek Atomic Energy Commission (EEAE),[128][129] with the aim of public information about high-frequency electromagnetic fields (EMF) levels. The results are presented through an interactive web portal[130] and mobile application.[131]
Municipality of Katerini operates its office for local stray animals.[132][133][134][135]
The national bus lines service is provided by the KTEL Pieria[136][137] station (Pieria intercity (coach) bus 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,[138] 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.[138]
Katerini Railway Station is located just outside the city center. The main line of the Greek railway system that connects Athens with Thessaloniki passes through Katerini. As a result, the city is connected directly with Larissa and Thessaloniki via the Thessaloniki Suburban Railway (Proastiakos) suburban electric train.[142][143] It is also connected with Athens and all the intermediate stations by Intercity train routes.
Katerini is home to a significant Aromanian population that exceeds 3,000 people.[145] Aromanians of Katerini mainly descend from nearby Aromanian settlements of Livadi and Kokkinopilos, and in lesser numbers from Samarina, Moscopole, Avdella, Perivoli and Smixi.[145] According to some sources the Aromanians formed a majority amongst the city's Christian population in the beginning of the 20th century.[145] At the beginning of Giorgakis Olympios pedestrian street in the central Katerini district is located the bust statue of Giorgakis Olympios (1772–1821) who was an armatole and military commander during the Greek War of Independence against the Ottoman Empire.
As of 2001, the Municipal Unit of Katerini (then Municipality of Katerini) was home to 2,794 foreign nationals (4.9% of the total population). Among them the most populous ethnic group was Albanians (2.5%) followed by Georgians (0.5%), Russians (0.4%) and Bulgarians (0.3%).[146]
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.[147] Katerini has a relatively numerous Protestant community, as a result of the organised settlement of Evangelical Greek refugees from Asia Minor and Pontus (region).[148] Today the Greek Evangelical Church of Katerini has almost 1,100 followers,[148][149] 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.[150][151] 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.[148]
Center of Lifelong Learning (KDVM) of the Municipality of Katerini[169][170][171] in cooperation with the Ministry of Education.
Re-Training Programs of non-formal education with 380 hours each program[172][173][174] of the Ministry of Tourism supervised by the Experimental School of Advanced Vocational Training (SAEK) of Tourism of Makedonia[175] for employed and unemployed persons of tourism professions operate at times after an official public announcement.[176][177]
School of Samaritans and Rescuers of the Volunteers Samaritans, Rescuers and Lifeguards Corp of the Hellenic Red Cross.[178]
Municipal Odeion of Katerini that is a conservatoire of music education.[179]
Educational programs of the Rescue Team of Pieria.[180]
From 2006 to 2016 was operating the Second Chance Seminary School of Katerini[181] of the Ministry of Education, that was suspended its operation since the academic year 2016–2017,[182] which was a two years public ecclesiastical lifelong learning education boarding school housed in the Ecclesiastical Guesthouse[183] of the Metropolis of Kitros, Katerini and Platamon in the Prosilio settlement.
The preschool (PS) is compulsory, comprises the 1-year pre-kindergarten and 1-year kindergarten, and has exactly name (number) with the primary school name where is attached. Preschools and primary schools share buildings. A second extra preschool attached in a primary school is to be shown as (PS) in round brackets. Students who successfully complete the lyceum are awarded the Apolytirio Lyceum (school leaving certificate, that is upper secondary leaving certificate, also known as High School Diploma).
1st
48 Klisouras str, 601 32
2nd
48 Klisouras str, 601 32
3rd
1 Militou str, 601 33
4th
2 Mitropoleos str, 601 31
5th
34 Eirinis str, 601 34
6th
104 Agiou Savva str, 601 33
7th
1, 19th Maiou str, 601 34
Music
1 Stadiou str, 601 32
Evening
34 Eirinis str, 601 34
Unified Special Vocational Gymnasium-Lyceum
150 Terzopoulou str, 601 32
Special Vocational Education
Laboratory of Special Vocational Education (EEEEK)
Neo Keramidi (Area), 601 50
Second Chance Adult School (SDE)
Second Chance Adult School (SDE) of Katerini
2 Mitropoleos str, 601 31
Primary Education
Laboratory Center (EK)
Katerini City Primary School
Laboratory Center (EK) of Katerini
150 Terzopoulou str, 601 32
1st
3 Ippokratous str, 601 32
Vocational School (EPAS)
2nd
10 Kioutaxias str, 601 33
EPAS of Public Employment Service (DYPA)
End Terzopoulou str, 601 32
3rd
13 Marathonos str, 601 32
Upper Secondary Education
4th
2 Aristotelous str, 601 32
Katerini City High School
5th, (21st PS)
30 Filippou str, 601 33
1st
48 Klisouras str, 601 32
6th, (16th PS)
15, 28 October str, 601 34
2nd
10 Ipirou str, 601 32
7th, (20th PS)
8 Mitropolitou Kirillou str, 601 31
3rd
1 Militou str, 601 33
8th
13 Stratigou Roka str, 601 34
4th
2 Mitropoleos str, 601 31
8th KG, (24th PS)
A' Parodos Priamou, 601 34
5th
10 Ipirou str, 601 32
9th
2 Loukianou str, 601 32
Music
1 Stadiou str, 601 32
10th
16 Tenedou str, 601 33
Evening
34 Eirinis str, 601 34
11th, (23rd PS)
1 Fleming str, 601 34
Vocational (I)
150 Terzopoulou str, 601 32
12th
14 Romanou str, 601 31
Model Vocational
150 Terzopoulou str, 601 32
13th
39 Platonos str, 601 33
Vocational (II)
Neo Keramidi (Area), 601 50
14th
6 Kilkis str, 601 34
Evening Vocational
150 Terzopoulou str, 601 32
15th
14 Svoronou str, 601 33
Unified Special Vocational Gymnasium-Lyceum
150 Terzopoulou str, 601 32
16th, (25th PS)
1 Agios Christoforos str, 601 33
Post Upper Secondary Education(non-tertiary education)
17th
17 Odyssea Elyti str, 601 33
Public School of Advanced Vocational Training of the General Hospital of Katerini
1 Old Hospital str, 601 31
18th
1 Antisthenous str, 601 31
Public School of Advanced Vocational Training of Katerini
10 Ipirou str, 601 32
19th
2 Tyrtaiou str, 601 32
Higher Education(tertiary education)
Special Primary
Ganochora (Area), 601 50
International Hellenic University, Department of Logistics
Pierikos-Archelaos B.C. currently competes in the A2 League, the second tier of Greek basketball. GAS Archelaos Katerinis plays in the A2 League the second tier of the Greek handball league system.[190][191]
Christos Kotzamanidis (1950–2023),[238] handball coach, professor at School of Physical Education and Sports Science (TEFAA) of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
^"Results of Agricultural-Livestock Census 1999/2000"(PDF) (in Greek and English). National Statistical Service of Greece. 2000. Archived from the original(PDF) on 14 November 2010. Retrieved 7 July 2012. Number of persons employed in the total of holdings by category and number of working days of seasonal workers and by Region and Department. Results of Agricultural-Livestock Census 1999/2000
^Kingdom of Greece - Ministry of National Economy - Directorate of Statistics, "Enumeration of the inhabitants of the new provinces of Greece in the year 1913", Athens, National Printing House, 1915. (in Greek).
^"Municipal Odeion of the Municipality of Katerini" (in Greek). Archived from the original on 25 November 2023. The Municipal Odeion of Katerini has the School of Instrumental Music, School of Monody-Melodramatic, and School of Advanced Music Theory. It includes the divisions of Philharmonic Orchestra, Music Pre-education for Pre-school-age Students, Children's Choir, Youth Choir, Chamber Music Ensembles.
^"Diving Centers" (in Greek). Hellenic Federation of Underwater Activities and Sports Fishing (EOYDA). 28 February 2019. Archived from the original on 23 January 2024.