NATURE & SPORTS
The river Aliakmonas
Fileo
The Aliakmonas river, a source of life for the whole of Imathia, has been tamed for decades, forming a beautiful natural valley on the border with the prefecture of Kozani. Thanks to the river in the area, the energy dam of Sfikia has been developed, utilizing a part of the hydrodynamics of the municipality and by extension the Prefecture. The river is ancient, as is its name. The name Aliakmonas is compound and comes from als (salt, sea) and akmon (anvil).
According to Greek Mythology, the river god Aliakmon was the son of Oceanus and Tethys. Oceanus was a huge river that surrounded the earth from all sides. And Tethys was one of the Titanides, daughter of Heaven and Earth. There is another version according to which Aliakmon’s father was the king of Thrace, Palestine and his mother was Pierida, who was one of the nine mortal daughters of the king of Pieria, Pierus and Eudippe. Palestine loved his son Aliakmons very much. When he learned of his (Aliakmon’s) killing in some battle, he fell into the river Konassos which was renamed Palestinos (today Strymons). Also, there is an ancient tradition that says that all the sheep that drank water from Aliakmons changed color and became white. This tradition is confirmed by a record of the Latin writer Pliny (23-79 AD), which, translated from the Latin, says: “Similarly in Macedonia, those who want to have white sheep lead to Aliakmon, those who do not want black to Axion”. Also, Aliakmonas was associated with the revolutions in Macedonia (1821), such as the Macedonian Struggle (1904-1908), the liberation of Veria (1912) from the Turkish yoke, and the resistance (1941-1944) against the occupying forces (German – Italian).
The lakeside area in the area of Aliakmons is an area of the Natura 2000 Network (GR1210002).
Selio Ski Center
The National Ski Center of Selio is located at an altitude of 1900m and is the first organized Ski Center in the Country. It has been operating since 1934, the year the first Panhellenic ski competitions were organized and for years it was the only ski center in the country. Thus, it is not an exaggeration to claim that here in Seli “everything started” for Greek skiing. It is only 24 kilometers from Veria and 95 kilometers from Thessaloniki. The National Ski Center of Selio has 17 slopes with a total length of 14 km. downhill slopes with different levels of difficulty to satisfy every skier. Two Endurance Road tracks (LANG – LAUF) with a total length of 8km are also available. while there are several very interesting off-piste ski-snowboard routes.
The slopes are recognized by F.I.S. (HOMOLOGATION no. 953-954-988-957/1975, 5448/178/1999, 5449/179/1999) and are offered for sports skiing competitions.
www.seli-ski.gr / 23310 26237
Ski Center 3-5 Pigadia
The 3-5 Pigadia ski center is located approximately 36 kilometers from our rooms, while it is approximately 17 kilometers from neighboring Naoussa. It occupies an area that starts at an altitude of 1430 meters and reaches an altitude of 2005 meters.
3-5 Pigadia are considered among the best Greek ski resorts. One of the reasons that makes it a star in winter getaways is that it has artificial snow. The ski slopes, of all levels of difficulty, satisfy the requirements for sports as well as tourist skiing.
In addition to winter sports, it is also suitable for mountaineering, hiking, mountain biking, hang gliding and paragliding.
Altitude: 1,450m. – 2,005 m. Total lifts: 7 Total skiers: 10 Total ski length: 9 km Artificial snow: YES
In the area of the ski center, there are:
- Aerial two-seater lift
- Sliding elevators
- Baby lifts
- Dispensary and first aid
- Football field / heliport
- Ski school / rentals
- Hotel, guest house, restaurant, cafeteria, snack bar
- Chalet on top of the mountain
- Space for caravans
- Parking place (parking)
Bird fauna of Tripotamos
About 70 species have been counted from the height of Tripotamos village to the Modia bridge (old Sphagia). Many common species but also some that are threatened with extinction. All the swallows of the city, woodpeckers, sparrowhawks, finches, sparrows, ash-wrens, are some of the common species that the visitor will encounter on the Tripotamos route through the city.
Birds of prey such as the hawk, the tern, the sable and the rock crane are regular visitors, but in many cases they also nest in the tall trees of the river. Nesting of an eagle at the height of the old shooting range. The recording of a young golden eagle in 2004 in Komnenio is impressive. The bee-eaters nest in many places on the banks of Tripotamos since the suitable vertical and soft soils of the banks prevail.
At the height of Barbuta, you can also see the tern, a special bird that has the amazing ability to walk on the bottom of the river and nibble. Woodpeckers and hawks nest in the plane trees at the old X”nikolaki factory. In the past, in the area of Sfageia, white vultures, the smallest species of vulture in Europe, which is now seriously threatened with extinction, were also observed.
Texts and photos: Haris Kourouzidis
