The Alexandrion (
Greek Αλεξάνδρειον), a building of the international "Alexander the Great Institute", is a private institution of
Greek Macedonians living abroad. These Greeks, originating from
Macedonia, had the idea to erect a monument in their homeland, at the foot of
Mount Olympus
Mount Olympus (; el, Όλυμπος, Ólympos, also , ) is the highest mountain in Greece. It is part of the Olympus massif near the Thermaic Gulf of the Aegean Sea, located in the Olympus Range on the border between Thessaly and Macedonia, be ...
, near the Temple of
Zeus
Zeus or , , ; grc, Δῐός, ''Diós'', label=Genitive case, genitive Aeolic Greek, Boeotian Aeolic and Doric Greek#Laconian, Laconian grc-dor, Δεύς, Deús ; grc, Δέος, ''Déos'', label=Genitive case, genitive el, Δίας, ''D ...
in
Dion, a symbol of their bond with their homeland, and at the same time a place of encounter. It was founded in 1992. The head office of the Institute is in
New York City
New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the List of United States cities by population, most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the L ...
, while the local management is based in
Katerini
Katerini ( el, Κατερίνη, ''Kateríni'', ) 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 Mt. Olympus and the Thermaikos Gulf, ...
.
Location
The Alexandrion is located just above the A1 motorway (
Athens
Athens ( ; el, Αθήνα, Athína ; grc, Ἀθῆναι, Athênai (pl.) ) is both the capital and largest city of Greece. With a population close to four million, it is also the seventh largest city in the European Union. Athens dominates ...
-
Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki (; el, Θεσσαλονίκη, , also known as Thessalonica (), Saloniki, or Salonica (), is the second-largest city in Greece, with over one million inhabitants in its Thessaloniki metropolitan area, metropolitan area, and the capi ...
), near the
Litochoro
Litochoro ( el, Λιτόχωρο, ''Litóchoro''; Katharevousa: Λιτόχωρον) is a town and a former municipality in the southern part of the Pieria regional unit, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it has been part of the Dio-O ...
exit.
Purpose
The institute's goals are beneficial, spiritual, social, artistic and cultural. The preservation and spread of the Greek language and Greek traditions are particularly valuable. Exhibitions and seminars are organized and the Alexandrion serves representative purposes. In addition to former Greek president of the state, Mr. Papoulias, there were other high domestic and foreign personalities hosted as guests. There are concerts, lectures and guided tours.
The Exhibition
All paintings, exhibits and plaques exhibited in the U-shaped building have a relation to
Alexander the Great
Alexander III of Macedon ( grc, wikt:Ἀλέξανδρος, Ἀλέξανδρος, Alexandros; 20/21 July 356 BC – 10/11 June 323 BC), commonly known as Alexander the Great, was a king of the Ancient Greece, ancient Greek kingdom of Maced ...
. Beginning with his birthplace
Pella, all the stations of his short life are illuminated. The largest chart shows his campaign from Macedonia to India. The individual stages of this campaign are detailed displayed.
Greek and English commentaries of
Vergina, Pella and Dion explain Alexander's life in these places. A map showing all the ancient Macedonian places and a copy of the mosaic of the Alexander battles against the Persians. (
Alexander mosaic) from Pompei.
References
External links
Official website
Free Travel Guide about the Olympus regionTitle: ''Mount Olympus - Ancient Sites, Museums, Monasteries and Churches''
{{coord, 40.139240, 22.541842, type:landmark_region:GR, display=title
Dion
Buildings and structures in Pieria (regional unit)
Dion, Pieria
Dion-Olympos
Alexander the Great