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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. 

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. 



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. 

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.

Λιμάνι Καλλιθέας



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.

Παραλία Νέων Μουδανιών

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.

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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