Athos owes its name to the giant Athos, who threw an enormous rock at Zeus but missed him.
The excavations at the Petralona Cave have proved that human life existed in Halkidiki even 700,000 years ago. Its oldest inhabitants were the Thracians and the Pelasgoi.
Organized societies, such as Olynthos and the ancient city of Stagira, near Olympiada, flourished in the west and central Halkidiki around the 4th century BC
During
the 5th century, Halkidiki took part in the Persian Wars
which resulted in the terrible siege of ancient Olynthos. |
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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.
In the 9th century, 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. |
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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 mamory of its people and the historical monuments that you will find spread along its countryside. |
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