During one of our visits to the Kitros salt pit in Pieria, a pintail (type of duck) was flying over our heads, ceaselessly quacking. At times, it flew so close to us that it hit the top of our heads with its beak. We then realized we had accidentally come close to its nest and its ducklings and was trying to drive us away. We felt like rude intruders and sheered away.

Silence and stillness

About two hundred different species of birds live in Kitros salt pit, amongst whom many rare ones of national and international interest.

They can find plenty of equable food, although one would expect that no form of life could survive in this thick saltwater.

The salt pit is interesting during all seasons, especially for the photographers. In the summer they can combine photo shooting with bathing in the hot water of the salt pit.

If their arthritis isn’t healed, they will at least have interesting conversations with other bathers and learn much about the way of life in the area.

The thick saltwater makes the surface totally still like glass and the saltiness relentlessly corrodes the artificial and natural environment, creating an atmosphere of deathly silence and stillness all around.

Photographers have endless time to place the tripods and set their complex photographic machines, since the scenery remains identical for days, or even for weeks.

However, when they are photographing birds, they must not make any sudden moves, and even hold their breath, because the slightest noise bothers them and makes them fly away.

Archaeological interest

Of additional interest is the archaeological area of Pydna, which is very close to the salt pit.

During the construction works on the new railway of the Athens-Thessaloniki line, in the area of Louloudies, which is between the stations of Salt pit and Korinos, a complex from the early Byzantine years came to light.

Further north, houses with continuous life from the Mycenaean to the Byzantine years was discovered.

This was where the battle of Pydna took place in 168 BC, resulting in the enslavement of Macedonia by the Romans.

A day trip is not enough for the visitors to enjoy the primitive beauty of Kitros salt pit and see the archaeological finds of the area.

Whoever wants to spend the night can find many hotels and rooms to let in the picturesque villages of Makrygialos, Korinos, Agathoupoli and Methoni.

The food in the local taverns is excellent, as there are many people originating from Asia Minor, Pontiacs and Vlachs, whose cuisines compete with each other in tastiness. Visitors must not neglect tasting the area's famous mussels.

Getting to Kitros salt pit is very easy. On the 27th kilometer of the national road Katerini-Thessaloniki there is a junction to Makrygialos, which is next to the salt pit.
TEXT-PHOTOS: GEORGE ZAFEIROPOULOS
SOURCE: www.greecewithin.com