Vermio Mountains The Vermio Mountains (Greek: Βέρμιο), known in antiquity as the Bermion (Greek: Βέρμιον), is a mountain range in northern Greece. It lies between the Imathia Regional Unit of the Central Macedonia Region and the Kozani Regional Unit of the Western Macedonia Region. The range is west of the plain of Kampania. The town of Veria, which is the capital of Imathia, is built on the foot of these mountains. The highest point in the range is the peak Chamiti (Greek: Χαμίτη), 2,065 metres (6,775 ft) elevation, west of Naousa. In Turkish the mountain is known as Karatash (Karataş), and in Bulgarian it is known as Karakamen (Каракамен). The Vermio Mountains are the site of ski resorts such as Seli and Tria Pente Pigadia. It was mentioned in antiquity by Pliny, Strabo, Stephen of Byzantium, Hierocles, Ptolemy, and Thucydides and Herodotus. In classical times the mountain was thought by Herodotus to be impassible and according to tradition, paradise was to be held on the other side. During Hellenistic times was an internal boundary of the Macedonian state. The villages of Vermion Katranitsa (Pyrgoi), Mesovouno, Ermakia, Ano Grammatiko, Koutsoufliani and Ano Seli are officially recognized by the Greek state as “martyr communities” because they were destroyed by the German Nazis.         Left: View of the Vermio Mountains         Right: Panagia Soumela the Kastania, Imathia Monasteries of Vermio Several monasteries are located on the slopes of the Vermio Mountains. These are:     - the Pelekan Brotherhood in Komnimo / Veria (Convent of Women),     - the Monastery of Saint George Peristereota in Rodochori / Naoussa,     - the Monastery of the Virgin Mary Kallipetra in Rachi / Aliakmonas Valley (men's monastery),     - the Panagia Dovra Monastery in Dovra / Veria ((men's monastery),     - the Monastery of the Prophet Elias at the Agia Varvara Dam / Aliakmonas (currently being rebuilt),     - the monastery of Taxiarches of Naoussa (ruins only),     - the Monastery of the Holy Forerunner of Naoussa (Convent of Women),     - the Panagia Soumela Foundation, which is also the best known. The Panagia Soumela Foundation in Kastania Kastania is a mountain village in the Imathia district. Located at an altitude of 1,080 meters on the slopes of Mount Vermio, it is one of the highest villages in Imathia. It belongs to the municipality of Veria and, according to the 2011 census, had 84 inhabitants. In 1951, the new church of Panagia Soumela was built there on the initiative of Philon Ktenidis (consecrated on June 8, 1952), and is visited by numerous pilgrims from Greece and abroad, especially in August. The holy icon of the Virgin Mary, which according to tradition was painted by the evangelist Luke, is kept there. The monastery is a living monument of religious and cultural tradition.