Destination - Amoessa Polychrono

Polychrono, Kassandra, Halkidiki

Halkidiki is a dream and ideal destination for holidays. It harmoniously combines the blue of the sky with the green of nature and can offer its visitors an earthly paradise. Many compare it to the trident of Poseidon because it is essentially divided into three “legs”, the first leg is the peninsula of Kassandra, the second leg is the peninsula of Sithonia and the third is the peninsula of Mount Athos. Halkidiki has large crystal clear beaches, many beach bars, but also more secluded beaches for someone who prefers peace and quiet on vacation.

In addition, day trips and guided tours can be made to Ancient Stageira in Olympiada, Ancient Olynthos, the cave of Petralona, but also a pilgrimage to Mount Athos for men. For travelers that like to do sports, they can do water sports or go cycling or climbing in Holomontas. Another advantage of this destination is its close distance from the city of Thessaloniki, the Mediterranean Cosmos (one of the largest shopping malls in the Balkans), as well as the Macedonia Airport of Thessaloniki.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES & MONUMENTS

Mount Athos

Mount Athos is located in Halkidiki and occupies its entire third peninsula, the Athos Peninsula, with a total length of about 50 kilometers. It is an autonomous part of the Greek State and is the ark of Orthodoxy. It includes twenty Holy Monasteries, cells and hermitages. Since 1988 it is included in the list of World Heritage Sites.

Ancient Mendi

Ancient Mendi known for the famous Mendai wine was one of the colonies of Eretria in the 8th century. BC. Vases found mainly written, with plant and geometric decoration are characteristic samples of the ceramic style of Halkidiki.

Sanctuary of Poseidon

The sanctuary of Poseidon in the land of ancient Mendi, in Poseidi. The worship of the god is certified by a large number of vessels with votive inscriptions as well as by the possibility that the creators of the Temple were the Eretrians who had Poseidon as their patron god. The site consists of four large buildings: the oldest estate dates from the protogeometric period (11th-10th century BC). The rest of the buildings date from the 7th-6^th century BC., while the main church from the 5^thcentury BC. All the buildings had a cult character and everywhere there are altars for sacrifices and places for sacred ceremonies. In 1864 a lighthouse was built on the edge of the cape and it survives to this day.

Ancient Stageira

The ancient Stageira, the homeland of Aristotle, the greatest philosopher of antiquity, teacher of Alexander the Great. According to tradition, the Stagirites transported and buried the bones of Aristotle in their city and established in honor of him a great feast, the “Aristotle”. Today, after excavations, landscaping and restorations, the ancient Stageira is an important archaeological site, in a landscape of special natural beauty, next to the local community of Olympiada, of the Municipality of Aristotle.

MUSEUMS OF HALKIDIKI

Petralona Cave or “Red Stones”

In 1959 in Halkidiki, residents of Petralona in their attempt to find water, found an opening on the slopes of Mount Katsika. Two young men descended with ropes to a depth of 13 m and on their return began to describe the magnificent stalactite and stalagmite formations they discovered. The cave was the “home” of a primitive man. His skull found in the cave belongs to a transitional form, from Homo Erectus (Standing Man) to Homo Sapiens (Wise Man) and is the oldest evidence of the presence of man in Greece.Fossilized bones from the fauna of the area (cave bears, hyenas, lions, panthers, rhinos, deer and horses), a multitude of stone and bone tools used by the primitive inhabitant of the cave, are on display in the Paleontological Museum. Anthropological Museum of Petralona.

(http://www.petralona-cave.gr/)

Grove of Aristotle

Next to the historic village of Stageira is the Grove of Aristotle. A theme park dedicated to the Philosopher. The original interactive instruments that the visitor will see at the location operate on the basis of the natural laws which are mentioned in the writings of Aristotle and especially in his work “Ta Phisika”. In the area of the grove you will also see the tower of Madem Aga together with its “Konak”which was the administrative center of the mines in the area of Sidirokafsia.

Mountainous Halkidiki

Athytos & Afitos

One of the most beautiful villages of Halkidiki is Graphic Afitos. Behind the old church of AgiosDimitrios hides its old settlement and the area of Hambekeika with its traditional houses. Walks in the village will bring you in front of the ancient walls and the ancient quarry, which lead to the prehistoric hill where today you will find a wine bar. Do not forget, before sitting in the taverns and cafes of the square, to visit the Folklore Museum in the Aletra building.

Parthenon

Located around 6km from Neos Marmaras, is the traditional settlement of the Parthenon. Beautiful traditional houses, cobbled streets and picturesque taverns compose a beautiful and peaceful setting. The Parthenon Film Festival takes part in the village every summer, with free summer cinema screenings in the village square.

Cryopigi

Near Kassandrato, a beautiful village of Kriopigi, built amphitheatrically on the slope. Under the shade of the pines and with a wonderful view of the bay of Kassandra between picturesque and beautiful streets of the settlement with the paved square and the stone houses, one can walk to the source with the cool water that “baptized” the village. Then for “rachati” and special appetizers accompanied by local tsipouro and wine, in the taverns of the village.