Why Visit
Due to the large size of the region, these resorts are innumerable and suit all preferences, so you will find both organized busy resorts or totally secluded places. The most tourist popular region is the first peninsula of Halkidiki, while the second is more calm and popular for camping.
Sightseeings are many in the region, including the Cave of Petralona rich in stalactites and stalagmites, Byzantine towers, ancient sites and lovely monasteries. Very interesting is the boat trip from Ouranoupolis to Mount Athos. As entrance to the monastic community of Athos is prohibited, the boat makes the tour of this peninsula and visitors see the impressive monasteries from the sea.
History
Mythological background
According to mythology, Halkidiki was the place were a huge battle took place, opposing Zeus and the other Olympian Gods to the Giants, children of Gaea (Mother Earth) and Uranus. Enceladus, the leader of the Giants, was buried alive in Cassandra. Since he sometimes tries to get free from his tomb, he is the source of earthquakes in the whole region. The prong of Cassandra took its name from Cassandros, the king of Macedonia. Sithonia was named after Sithon, the son of the god of the sea, Poseidon, and Mount Athos owes its name to the giant Athos, who threw an enormous rock at Zeus but missed him.
Ancient times
The excavations at the Petralona Cave have proved that human life existed in Halkidiki even 700,000 years ago. Its oldest inhabitants in the history of Halkidiki were the Thracians and the Pelasgoi. Organized societies, such as Olynthos, Acanthus and the ancient city of Stagira, near Olympiada, flourished in the west and central Halkidiki around the 4th century BC. Nice temples were also built, such as the sanctuary of Ammon Zeus. During the 5th century, Halkidiki took part in the Persian Wars which resulted in the terrible siege of ancient Olynthos.
After the victory of the Greeks in Salamina (in 480 BC) and the original defeat of the Persians from central Greece, the inhabitants of the two big cities of Olynthos and Potidea revolted too against the enemy and drove them out of their land. After the Persian Wars, the big cities of Halkidiki became members of the Athenian Alliance and participated into the Peloponnesian Wars (431-404 BC), which led to the destruction of a powerful town of Halkidiki, ancient Mende. In 348 BC, Halkidiki became a part of the Macedonian kingdom, under Philip's control. With Alexander the Great, the cities of Halkidiki increased in number. Among the new cities was Thessaloniki, Cassandria, Uranoupolis and Antigonia, to the north of modern Nea Kallikrateia. In 168 BC, Halkidiki came under the Roman domination.
Medieval times
In the 9th century AD, the first monastery was built on the peninsula of Athos. In the 11th century, the peninsula of Athos was given the name of "Holy Mountain" by a decree of a Byzantine emperor. The Byzantines also built many castles and fortresses to protect the area from invasions. Such an architectural example is the Prosforio Tower in Ouranoupolis. However, in 1430, the Turks took Halkidiki from the Venetians. The first call for freedom was made in May 1821 at Polygyros, Karyes and Cassandra. Some attempts of revolution took place in various parts of Halkidiki but they were stopped by the Turks.
Recente years
In the early 20th century, many of the inhabitants of Halkidiki joined the forces of Pavlos Melas and other fighters for freedom. Finally, Halkidiki was set free of the Turks in 1912 and became part of the Greek province of Macedonia. In 1921, Greek refugees from Asia Minor (after the Asia Minor catastrophe), Eastern Thrace and Bulgaria moved to Halkidiki, bringing a new economic and political strength. They founded about 30 new villages and small towns, such as Nea Fokea, Nea Skioni and Nea Moudiana. Today, Halkidiki is a vivid area that keeps its history alive, in the memory of its people and the historical monuments that you will find spread along its countryside. The recorded history of Halkidiki is traced back thousands of years ago leaving a great number of treasures.
Museums - Archeological
The natural beauty of Halkidiki is a unique sightseeing itself counting its rich historical background that has led to the creation of several museums. Close to the cave of Petralona where traces of human inhabitants where found lies the Anthropological Museum which hosts a number of fossil fuels, traces and other findings. It is a real depiction of the caves and the first human traces found there.
The ancient sites of Halkidiki are well worth a visit and close to the ancient sites you have the chance to gaze through the rich material of these ancient towns. In Olynthos, there is a great museum with several findings that were brought to light during excavations.
In Polygyros, the capital of Halkidiki, there is an equally interesting museum with hundreds of exhibits from other ancient sites that were discovered in the surrounded regions. In the beautiful area of Ouranopoulis, close to the monastic state of Mount Athos you can admire the Christian Museum with a nice collection of Byzantine items and valuable icons.
The rich tradition of Afytos is displayed in the Folklore Museum that is found there. Poligiros is also home to a similar museum with well-preserved items from the daily life of the locals. In Arnea, you can visit the Historical Museum.
Beaches
Sani, Armenistis, Kalithea, Hanioti, Gerakini, Vourvourou, Porto Koufo beach, Nea Flogita, Pefkohori, Nea Fokea, Nea Moudania, Nea Potidia beach, Nea Skioni beach, Possidi, Agia Varvara, Agios Georgios, Agios Ioannis, Agios Ioannis Kastri, Agios Mamas, Agios Nikolaos Fourka, Akti Aretes, Azapico, Banieres, Boussoula, Dimitraki, Dyonisou, Fava, Kalamitsi, Kalogria, Kapsi, Karydi, Kastri, Kavourotrypes, Kovio, Kriopigi, Lagomandra, Lagonisi, Linaria, Menti, Metamorfosi, Moudounou, Paradisos, Perigiali, Platania, Platanitsi, Polychrono, Psakoudia, Sarti, Sithon, Siviri, Skala Fourkas, Spathies, Toroni, Trani Ammouda, Tratokerma, Trikorfo, Tripotamos, Tristinika, Tristinikouda, Valti, Varkes, Zografou
Religious Monasteries and Churches
The rich religious history of Halkidiki is evident in the plethora of beautiful surviving churches from the early Christian period. The unique monastic state of Mount Athos has influenced the history of Greek Orthodox art.
The monastic community of Mount Athos lies in the third peninsula of Halkidiki, the only location in Greece devoted to praying. The entire region consists of twenty wonderful Byzantine monasteries lost among the enchanting landscape, out of which 17 are Greek, one is Russian, one Serbian and one Bulgarian. Most of them look like medieval fortresses resembling to small states.
Polygyros, the capital of Halkidiki is home to some fine churches from 19th century, the most important being Agios Nikolaos, a true jewel dominating the heart of the town. In a beautiful location with a splendid view to the Polygyros lie the chapels of Panagia and Prophet Ilias.
You have a chance to see numerous churches at the villages of Halkidiki. In Afytos is the church of Agios Dimitrios and in Nea Potidea is the church of Taxiarches which is now dependant on the Mouth Athos Dochiarion Monastery. The 16th century church of the Assumption of the Virgin, the 5th century Christian basilica of St George, the chapel of the Apostle Paul and the Monastery of the Annunciation of Vatopedi are found all in the village of Nikiti.
Vavdos is perched on the highest altitude of Halkidiki and is home to two beautiful churches dedicated to the Virgin Mary and Prophet Ilias. Quite remarkable is the 16th century church of Panagia Faneromeni that stands along the seafront of Nea Skioni village.
