Naoussa: The place

At the foothills of eastern Vermio, amidst a natural embrace created by successive flat lands gradually declining towards the lowlands, the town of Naoussa is built, commanding -from an average elevation of 360 m. above sea level- the whole fertile plain of Emathia stretching to Thessaloniki. To the West, the town's horizon is described by deep green hills and mountains which create precisely this hospitable embrace, within which the contemporary town of Naoussa was founded and has evolved.

Mount Vermio - comprising the natural boundary between the plain of Emathia - Thessaloniki to the East, and the highlands of Kozani to the West- leaves very few set passes, upon which the most significant towns of the area are found: Veroia, capital of the Prefecture of Emathia, to the South, Naoussa in the centre and Edessa, capital of the Prefecture of Pella, to the North. A great many villages scattered in between assure the continuity of human presence.

The northern and eastern slopes of Mount Vermio are covered with coniferous forests (mainly beech), while the western slopes are almost barren. Its plentiful waters form large and small waterfalls which were used as a driving force for industry even from the 19th century. The greatest river, especially for Naoussa, is the Arapitsa, whose springs are at Agios Nicholaos Park, a fabulously beautiful area near the town. Flowing towards the lower plains, it cuts across the city, while waterfalls of a smaller or greater height form throughout the whole river's path to the plain.