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General Info
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History
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Routes
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Information
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ROUTES
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Around 8th century BC, the
Eretreis founded a colony in the area. The area flourished and
developed to a cultural, economical and political center. Its
fame was reinforced by the construction of the temple of Dionysus
(8th century BC) and the temple of Ammonos Zeus (4th century BC).
During Persian Wars, the city was forced to make an alliance with
Persians. However, when the Persian Wars ended, it was in alliance
with Athens. In 348 BC, it belonged to the federation of "Chalkidiki
in Thrace", while later Phillipos, father of Alexander the Great,
destroyed it.
During the reign of Macedonians, it was rebuilt and started to
gain its lost grandeur. It flourished during the period of Roman
Empire. During the Byzantine years, it was characterized as a
small village according to the documents of Agio Oros. During
the Independence War of 1821, Afytos played an important role
to the participation of many fighters. In 1821, it resisted against
the Turks, along with other cities of Chalkidiki. However, it
was ruined after the destruction of the peninsula.
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Six years later, the inhabitants
that were chased away, returned and begun to rebuild it. As aresult
it became the largest village in the peninsula of Kassandra. In
the second half of 19th century, the church of Agios Dimitrios,
was built in the center of the square. It is a wonderful representative
of ecclesiastic architecture of royal order with dome and wooden
roof. The inner of the church is full of icons of pre- and post-Byzantine
period.
The stone carvings of the outside wall on the north side of the
church are very interesting. Other wonderful representatives are
the church of Agios Georgios, the church of the Assumption, Agios
Athanasios and Agios Nikolaos of 18th century.
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It is worth mentioning the
traditional stone houses with carvings and inscriptions. Those that
stand out are the house of Katsanis built in1860, the house of Papavasilis
built in 1864, the house of Galanis built in 1876, the house of
Aletra built in 1889 and the house of Athanasiadis built in 1898.
The owners and their descendants managed to keep the uniqueness
of these houses until today, continuing the cultural identity of
the village.
There is a Folk Museum in the village, which is housed in an old
building of Aletra. One of the sights of the village is the rock,
which is a natural balcony with wonderful view of the Toroneos Gulf,
Sythonia and the rest of the peninsula; the other sight is Koutsomylos,
the ancient acropolis of Afytos with panoramic view.
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The beaches are wonderful for dives; those that stand out are
the beach inVarkes, in Pounda, in Liosti and in Daphny. During
summer time, many cultural events take place. These events are
prepared with love, care and respect for the village and the visitors.
There are beautiful rooms to rent with excellent view near the
beach.
Leaving the traditional village of Afytos and in a distance of
4 klm we will come across one of the most famous areas of the
peninsula, Kalithea. The name of the village in Greek means "great
view", which the visitor enjoys from the central square. It was
built in 1925, after the destruction of Asia Minor by refugees
from Maltepe of Propondida and Kerassus in the Black Sea. Before
the refugees come to this area, it used to be monastery under
the supervision of the Russian monastery in Agio Oros. The refugees
named the area New Maltepe and it was administratively part of
the county of Afytos. In 1946, the area is renamed to Kalithea
and became administratively autonomous.
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According to the history,
the Egyptian god Ammon and Dionysus were worshiped in this area.
The temple of Ammon Zeus that was discovered in the beach of the
village reinforces the above statement. It is a temple of Dorian
order of the second half of 4th century BC with 6 pillars on the
front side and 11 on the rear.
However, its entablature is of 2nd century, which was probably destroyed
and then replaced. Near the temple, there are ruins of stone altar,
which was covered by Romans. After the 8th century, the temple was
used to honor Dionysus and the Nymphs. In the beginning of 10th
century, the area was a monastery of Agio Oros. In the Nymph cave,
some architectural parts of Byzantine temple, of the same century,
were discovered. In 1865, the church of Agios Panteleimonas was
built.
Kalithea is one of the largest and modern commercial and cosmopolitan
resorts in Chalkidiki, with huge hotels, luxuriant apartments and
traditional hostels. Thousands of tourists come to Kalithea, every
year, to enjoy the golden beaches, the pine trees that surround
the beaches, the green-blue waters, the important archaeological
findings, the traditional buildings and the historical monuments.
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If all of the above have not convinced you, we should tell you
that Kalithea has one of the best touritic substructures, only
to project its magnificent beauty and its cultural and historical
heritance and to offer you relaxation and unforgettable vacations.
Undoubtedly, it is one of the best places in Chalkidiki and in
Greece.
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Setting off from the beautiful
Thessaloniki and reaching Moudania, in the intersection, we take
the road that leads northeast. In a distance of 1 klm to the right
we come across the chapel of Agios Mamas with its unique festival
that takes place in the beginning of September.
Returning to the main road and in a distance of 2 klm to the left,
we come across Nea Olynthos, which is built near the ancient city
of Olynthos from which some parts of it are still preserved. Olynthos
started to develop after the Minor Asia destruction, with the inrush
of Greeks from the coastline of Minor Asia and east Thrace.
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Outside the village, near
the archaeological site, is the Museum with excellent exhibits from
the excavations of the ancient city. The ancient Olynthos was a
colony of Votties and the leading city of the federation of people
from Chalkidiki. In the end of 4th century, Persians destroyed it.
Then, followed a period when it flourished and became part of the
Athenian alliance. After that, the Macedonian King, Philippos, destroyed
it. Klisthenis, the nephew of the philosopher Aristotle and the
historians Stratis and Efippos were coming from ancient Olynthos.
These historians followed Alexander the Great in the Middle East.
The systematic excavations revealed the existence of one of the
greatest cities of the Macedonian kingdom. According to the American
archaeologists, ancient Olynthos is the continuation of the pre-historic
city that was situated to the south. Since the Persians destroyed
it, it was rebuilt in 432 BC and is one of the few examples of cities
that were built according to a contractual plan. The sewage system
and the pluming of that time are really impressive. Every house
has its front yard and it is divided in rooms that serve the needs
of the inhabitants. Also, in this ancient city, we can find one
of the most ancient mosaic floors.
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