The Greek resort "trident" - the Halkidiki peninsula accepts the first vacationers in May. Adepts of a calm, but rich and varied beach family vacation choose this part of mainland Greece for their vacation, counting on ideal infrastructure, a variety of entertainment, real Mediterranean cuisine and the opportunity to choose a hotel, restaurant or excursion program in accordance with their preferences and budget realities. When planning your vacation, check out the information on what to see in Halkidiki. The rich history of Ancient Greece is captured in the ruins of ancient cities and museum exhibitions, so lovers of antiquity at the resorts of the peninsula will definitely not be bored. Male pilgrims can visit the complex of monasteries of Mount Athos, and representatives of the beautiful half of humanity can see the holy places from the board of a cruise ship.
TOP 10 attractions of Halkidiki
Athos
The Athos Peninsula is perhaps the most mysterious and inaccessible part of mainland Greece for many. Here is the holy mountain of the same name and two dozen Orthodox monasteries, where not everyone is allowed to enter. Firstly, women are not allowed on Mount Athos. Secondly, a visa for men is issued for only 4 days and with the condition of obtaining a preliminary special permit. It can be given to teachers and students of theological and philosophical faculties, persons studying architecture, art history, fine arts and the like. Russian tourists require a letter of recommendation from the Russian consulate located in Northern Greece.
The peninsula is guarded from the mainland by the military, and you can get to Athos only from the water, by arriving by boat. The autonomous state has its own charter, to which all 20 monasteries are subject:
- The majestic monastery of Simonopetra seems to grow out of a cliff above the sea. The monastery was founded by the Monk Simeon in 1257. Simeonopetra is called the most impressive monastery due to its unusual architecture. The main relics are the imperishable hand of Mary Magdalene and a particle of the Life-giving Cross.
- The Iversky monastery appeared in the 10th century. thanks to the Georgian Saint John of Iversky. The monastery contains 150 relics of saints - the largest number on Athos.
- The second oldest monastery on Athos, Vatopedi, was founded by the disciples of St. Athanasius in the 10th century. His main relic is the Belt of the Virgin. They bow to the monastery and the relics of St. Panteleimon the Healer.
The Russian monastery on Mount Athos is called St. Panteleimon. Within the walls of the monastery, you can worship the relics of Andrew the First-Called, John the Baptist and the Apostle Luke.
Monastery of St. Anastasia the Patterner
Legend has it that one of the most famous monasteries on the Chalkidiki peninsula and throughout central Macedonia was founded in 888. Documentary evidence of the existence of a monastery on this site dates back only to the 18th century. The Life of Saint Theophan tells that, being a monk, in 1522 he created a monastery on the ruins of a Byzantine one.
The monastery's novices participated in the Greek Revolution of 1821, providing the insurgents with ships belonging to the monastery and joining the ranks of the rebel army. The most important battle at Vasilik took place near the walls of the monastery.
In the XIX century. the monastery survived the destruction by the Turks, fires and other misfortunes, but was restored and even became a Church school.
In the Monastery of St. Anastasia the Patterner, the frescoes in the chapel of Saints Cyricus and Julitta are noteworthy. They were created in the 19th century. artists from the neighboring village of Galatista. And their work is one of the few surviving examples of post-Byzantine art in Halkidiki.
Petralona Cave
This cave in Halkidiki became known in the middle of the last century, when it was accidentally discovered by a resident of the village of Petralona. A couple of years later, another Petralonian found a skull of a fossil man in an underground grotto, and archaeologists from all over the country came to the town. It turned out that the skull belonged to an erectus, or erectus man, and its owner lived in these parts at least 700 thousand years ago. The oldest man in Europe made the cave world famous. The hearth discovered in it then gave reason to believe that the traces of fire found in the Petralona cave are the oldest known on Earth.
Having made a short excursion into the distant history, visitors to the most famous underground attraction in Halkidiki can look at the bizarre growths formed by water dripping from the ceiling for thousands of years - stalactites and stalagmites. Along the tunnel, which stretches for 100 meters, stands with archaeological finds are installed.
Archaeological Museum of Petralona
The museum in Petralona offers visitors to the cave to continue their fascinating acquaintance with prehistoric events. A huge number of finds from the underground site of an ancient man was raised to the surface, systematized and exhibited in the building of the Archaeological Museum built in 1978.
The exhibition presents the oldest traces of fire ever discovered on the planet, stone and bone tools of labor, which are 11 million years old, and other archaeological rarities from open excavations on the territory of the peninsula.
Interesting frescoes by the self-taught artist Christos Karagas, in his own way representing the life of prehistoric people. In the drawings of Karagas, archanthropes are depicted in various everyday situations: teaching children to make a fire, showing how to make a stone ax or a tool of labor from animal bones.
Galatista Tower
A picturesque village on the slope of Mount St. Elijah in the center of Halkidiki was founded on the site of the ancient city of Anthemus. Since then, alas, nothing has remained, but there is still one ancient attraction in Galatista. The tower, built by the Byzantines in the 14th century, made it possible to control the approaches to the town and the valley at the foot of the mountain.
The small citadel is a rectangular stone structure, with four ledges on each wall. In the 90s of the last century, it was restored: the roof was protected from precipitation, the floor and the wooden staircase were restored, and now visitors can go upstairs and look at the surroundings from the same angle as the defenders of Galatista in the 19th century.
Historical and Ethnographic Museum in Arnea
37 km. from the administrative center of Halkidiki, the city of Polygyros, in the village of Arnea, a museum has been opened, the exposition of which is devoted to the life of local residents, their crafts, skills, folk art and traditions.
The town of Arnea and its surroundings are not much different from other areas of this part of mainland Greece. Local people are engaged in agriculture, bees, bake bread, make coffee in the morning and weave canvases. All the devices they need and use in everyday life are presented in the museum in Arnea. The "fire truck" built over 200 years ago invariably attracts visitors.
The museum is housed in a mansion built by local resident Konstantinos Katsangelos in the 18th century, and the collection displayed in it looks especially authentic against the background of the old walls.
Stagira
The teacher of Alexander the Great, the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle, was from Stagira, an ancient polis in Halkidiki. The city was founded by settlers from Andros six centuries before the onset of a new era. Throughout its history, the ancient Greek polis has experienced many destructions, but has invariably risen from the ashes.
Archaeologists have discovered several interesting structures in Stagir, which are accessible for tourists. The remains of the city walls were built of stone, the ancient agora, according to tradition, served as a gathering place for the townspeople and the solution of political and administrative issues, and the foundations of residential buildings date back to the Hellenistic period.
Medieval city fortifications, much better preserved, appeared in Stagira during the reign of the Byzantines.
Olynthos
Another important city in Ancient Greece, located on the Halkidiki peninsula, was called Olynthos.
Historians claim that the city was founded in the 7th century. BC, but already a couple of centuries later, the troops of King Xerxes did not leave a stone unturned from Olynthos. Waiting for the retreat of the Persians, the Greeks rebuilt the city anew, using the "Hippodamian system" in the planning, which provided for a rectangular-linear scheme of laying streets.
In the Peloponnesian War, the polis sided with Sparta, gaining political weight and influence as a result. Olynthos remained the most significant city in Halkidiki until 348, when the troops of the Macedonian king Philip II destroyed it to the ground and forever.
On a guided tour of Olynthos, you will see the ruins of residential buildings and public buildings adorned with a once magnificent floor mosaic of colored stones.
Possidy
The god of the sea, Poseidon, has always evoked sacred awe among the Greeks living on the coast. They built sanctuaries dedicated to him and appeased the deity in every possible way. On the ruins of the ancient city of Mende, founded in the VIII century. BC e., the remains of the sanctuary of Poseidon have survived, and archaeologists consider it one of the oldest religious buildings in the country.
The resort town of Possidi, near which you will see the ruins of Mende, is also famous for the Poseidon Cape, which protrudes far into the Thermaikos Gulf. The long sandy strip of land is a great place for photo shoots and walks.
In Possidi you will find many Greek taverns serving Mediterranean cuisine, cozy inns and clean secluded beaches.
Fisheries Museum
Do you like fishing and are interested in its traditions? The Fisheries Museum in Nea Moudania in Halkidiki will acquaint you with exhibits that tell about the underwater world of the Aegean Sea, the history of human relationships with it and the secret techniques used by Greek fishermen. The stands show rods and hooks, models of fishing boats and lighthouses, compasses, spears and harpoons. The guides will acquaint visitors with the secrets of making bait and the intricacies of fishing at different times of the year.
The museum exhibits a replica of an ancient traditional fishing vessel of Halkidiki.
