Afitos, Chalkidiki
Afitos or Athitos is a traditional village in Kassandra Halkidiki which is located 83 km away from Thessaloniki. It has an amazing view of Toroneos gulf as the village is built on a hill above the coast. It has an amazing view of Toroneos gulf as the village is built on a hill above the coast.
ABOUT AFITOS
Most houses are stonebuilt with an excellent architecture, as the locals try to maintain the traditional character of their village, thus aiming to maintain their cultural inheritance and highlight the village through its culture. Small squares, cobbled streets and traditional taverns create a beautiful scenery totally harmonized with the natural landscape.
The village has a long history as there is evidence of settlements from 3000 BC. Its location on the hill prevented the settlement from attacks.
Ancient Afitis was an important town of Pallini and it is widely mentioned by Herodotus, Thoukidides, Xenofon, Aristotle, Pausanias, Stravon and others. The sanctuary of Dionisos (8th century b.C.) and the Temple of Ammon Zeus (4th century b.C.) contributed to its fame during the ancient times. Afytis was a prosperous town during archaic and classical times. They had their own currency, with the head of their protector Ammon Zeus imprinted on the coins.
During the 1821 revolution Athitos had a remarkable involvement with militants and victims. In 1859 the Church of St. Dimitrios was built. It is worth visiting it to admire its unique architecture in the center of the square.
The old stonebuilt houses with their owner signs is another attraction of the village. Aletras house in the central square is the Folklore Museum.
Plenty of cultural events take place during summer organized by the inhabitants and therefore make Athitos a place to visit in Halkidiki.
Culture & Tradition
Sightseeing
The Folklore Museum of Athitos is housed in a traditional listed building dating to 1889 in the central square of the village, which was donated by the Aletras family.There is a display of folk exhibits created on the initiative of the painter Nikos Paralis and are courtesy of the village residents. The Museum has two floors. There is a Library in the Ground floor with old and modern books. There is an interesting collection of historical utensils and costumes in the first floor.
Set in the main square of Afitos, the church of Agios Demetrios was built in 1858 on the ruins of an early Christian church which was destroyed in 1821 during the “Doom of Kassandra”, as well as the whole village.
The Basilica of Agios Demetrios was built with locally quarried stone and is the largest Eastern Orthodox Christian church with a dome in Halkidiki. It was built by builders from Epirus and with the assistance of the local residents. There is an icon of Mary the Afytiotissa, from the 14th century brought there from Constantinople. The church is open all day and the locals regularly attend services.
There is an interesting collection of traditional costumes and an exhibition of historic utensils in the traditional Museum of Kassandria that give the visitor a complete overview of the history of the area.
The Museum of Fishing Vessels and Equipment has an educational and research role, also doing much to promote the local identity and keep alive its links with its history.
The items on display include ancient anchors, fishing nets, fishing rods and hooks, compasses, beacons and lamps and many other intriguing exhibits. There are 3D recreations of a variety of fishing techniques, demonstrating how the different kinds of vessel and net are used, with replicas of fishing boats and a rich archive of documents and illustrations.
The Archaeological Museum of Poligiros is the most important archaeological Museum in Halkidiki located in “Heroon” square in the city centre.
The Museum hosts an ide collection of archaeological findings from the entire prefecture of Halkidiki. Findings cover the period from the Bronze Age to the Roman period and come from Ancient Stagira, Ancient Toroni, Pirgadikia, Afitos, Poligiros, Ierissos, Stratoni and the ancient city of Olinthos
One of the most significant temples located in Halkidiki is that of Ammon Zeus, which was unearthed in 1969, due to the erection of a hotel. According to archaeologists the temple was built in 800 b.C. Ammon Zeus was a conjunction of the Egyptian God “Ammon” and the Greek God, Zeus, the first of the Twelve Gods of Olympus. This is what makes this monument an attraction in the area.
A country house of the Roman period, with mosaic flooring and many marble architectural parts, was found in 1972 by the sea in the beach of Megali Kipsa.
In the same area an Early Christian temple was built later, which, according to archeologists, had many similarities to the architecture of the Roman-era buildings.
Near Cape Posidi there are the ruins of the ancient Sanctuary of Poseidon. The Sanctuary is related with the ancient town of Mendi, one of the richest towns built in the Peninsula of Kassandra. Early mentions about the Sanctuary are back in the 14th century b.C. People visited the Sanctuary to pray for 1000 years. The oldest part of the Sanctuary dates from the 11th century b.C. The rest of the buildings followed after through the centuries. The floor is made of terracota (a kind of red roof tile) and the walls with pebbles.
A visit to the Sanctuary of Poseidon is a chance to enjoy the relation of Poseidon with the sea and the energy of the place where they worshiped the God.
In the village of Nea Fokea stands what is perhaps the best preserved of all the towers in Halkidiki, the Byzantine tower of the namesake village. The Tower in Nea Fokea, also known as St. Paul’s Tower holds a dominant position on the hill at the right side of N. Fokea’s port. It’s 17m high and it’s an old Byzantine fortress that is likely to have been built in 1407, and partially destroyed by fire in 1821. Its purpose was the protection of farmers working in the “metochi” of St Paul’s Monastery.
Events
A very important role to the development of Cultural Tourism in the area plays the Festival of Kassandra.
Counting more than 20 years, it has hosted many foreign well known artists, such as Ray Charles, BB King, Joanne Baese, as well as Greek ones, such as Demetris Sgouros, Evanthia Rempoutsika, Haris Alexiou, Alkistis Protopsalti and many others who raise this festival’s value. The National Theatre, the State Theater of Northern Greece and many famous Greek actors come every summer to this celebration of culture.
For more than 20 years, Sani Festival aims connect tourism with arts, between Greek and foreign visitors. It is the common language of art and innovation. Sani Festival presents many important artists who visit Greece for the first time or offer us a unique chance to listen to their new creations.
It is a series of events that include visual arts and art in general, out on the street, traditional music and dance groups as well as classical and modern music.
Last three days of July
During the last day of the Festival a concert takes place and tsipouro (Greek spirit) and olives are offered to visitors.
2nd week of July
Cultural events for 6 days. It closes on a Sunday with the Sardine Festival, where grilled sardines and white wine are offered to the visitors. The celebration last till early in the morning!
The Archaeological Museum of Poligiros is the most important archaeological Museum in Halkidiki located in “Heroon” square in the city centre.
A big celebration in the central square of the village takes place with traditional music and dance. It is organized by the Cultural Club of Fourka.
July-August
The top cultural event of the Municipality of Nea Moudania is the “Festival tis Thalassas” (Festival of the Sea), which local residents as well as visitors intensively attend. Theatrical performances and musical evenings take place next to the sea. The theater is built in a location with a view to the Peninsula of Kassandra in the East and the endless Aegean Sea in front of it. On the West side, you can enjoy a unique sunset with Mount Olympos on the background. It is place that it fairly bares the title “Festival of the Sea”.
OUTDOOR ADVENTURE –
ECOTOURISM
A rare kind of tortoise, reach fauna and a lake that nobody knows its exact depth… A fantastic location only 3km far away from Polichrono in a hill of 200m. high in the heart of Kassandra, facing the mountain is there for you to explore it. You may reach it by car and spend some beautiful, unique and unforgettable moments.
Protected under RAMSHAR Treaty, the wetland of Nea Fokea has a special beauty but also is also of special ecologic importance. It is the shelter for hundred kinds of birds and you can visit it by car, at about 6km. far for the Crossroad to Sani. Bird watchers and group of ecologists visit this wetland every year, combining vacation with exploration.
Thermal Spa in Agia Paraskevi is known for its thermal springs and the spa it exists.
The high quality of the thermal spring water it revitalizes, relaxes and has therapeutic effects.
The modern Spa of Loutra Agias Paraskevis, is the ideal place for Health and Wellness. It is It has been found that the water has therapeutic effect in bone, muscle, skin, gynaecological and urological disorders.
According to Mineralogy Institute in Freiburg in Germany the water is middle warm CI Na-K Br Hs-B As-CO2, mineral and Supertonic and the normal water temperature is about 37,5-39 degrees of Celsius.
Halkidiki apart from its beautiful beaches and its coastal fringes with their crystal clear waters, offers a lot of walking routes through pinewoods, oaks and beeches, picturesque villages, cobblestone passages, dirt roads with reach fauna and beautiful forest aromas.
A lot of nature lovers, want to enjoy more active holidays and explore the area of Kassandra on foot especially in Spring and Autumn. This guide was created some years ago by the Halkidiki Hotels Association in cooperation with EOT( the Greek Tourism Organization) and describes the walking routes in Kassandra Halkidiki.
This route begins from Stavronikita tower, in Sani area, it passes through Nea Fokea’s forest and wetland and ends to Stavronikita tower (2 and a half hour, altitude 22 meters)
An easy walk through the woods, which skirt the long and beautiful, Sani beach, with views across the wetlands of the Sani Bird Sanctuary (2h. 30m.)
The hill of the tower of Stavronikita lies immediately to the west of the Sani Beach Holiday Resort.
In the time of the Ancient Creeks there were two cities in the area. Sani, the most important, developed from the prehistoric settlement in the area of the tower. The old city of Sani now lies under the sea.
A bird sanctuary has been created in If the wetlands to the east of the woodlands which skirt Sani Beach and a colony of turtles live in a small pond adjacent to the gates of the agricultural prison; which lies to the east of the wetlands. Tortoises are often seen in the woods.
This route begins from Sani area and more precisely from Porto Sani Village and it ends at Siviri. You will love the scenery view and the walk in the forest. (organized return, 20 km, altitude until 60 meters).
This walk can be started from either end but the description here is from Porto Sani Village to Siviri. It will be necessary to organize transport for your return, unless you intend to retrace your Steps (20km).
The path follows a well-marked woodland path, which meanders along the cliff tops between Sani Beach Holiday Resort and Siviri ; Sani Camping is passed, half way between Sani Beach Holiday Resort and Siviri.
People wishing a shorter walk could finish at Sani Camping. Because of the nature of the path, care must be taken, particularly with people who may suffer from vertigo, very young children and dogs.
Lizards, birds and butterflies abound in these shady woods, depending on the season. This is one of the most beautiful walks in Halkidiki and should not be missed.
From Posidi beach to Kalandra and then again to the beach this route is easy but very beautiful. (2 hours, altitude 80 meters)
An easy, circular, ridge walk in the pinewoods above the Possidi beach, which provides beautiful views of the coast as well as the olive grove, covered valley Inland, towards Kalandra. The path follows forest tracks for most of the way.
Time needed: 2 hours.
The start and finish of the walk is from the coast road 300m south of the Possidi Holidays Hotel. There is ample parking on open ground just past the hotel, if the road at the Start is too busy to park there.
14th Century documents in Mt Athos mention Possidi, but as the name relates to the worship of Poseidon, the god of the sea, it was probably named in much earlier times.
This walk takes one up into the hills behind Polyhrono to visit a pond in the woods where turtles are found (Mavrobara lake). The path follows broad forest tracks, passing through a high valley, surrounded by sandstone cliffs and pine forest. The return path, gives many fine views of the sea and coast as it gradually descends, through the trees, to Polyhrono.
These pinewoods contain many large trees, often reaching up towards the light from the bottoms of deep gorges, which are covered with dense undergrowth. This provides a fine habitat for birds, small mammals and insects. Tortoises and lizards are often encountered as well as the turtles. Depending on the season, the more open ground can be a mass of color, with its flowers, shrubs and butterflies.
The path Starts about 300m past the traffic lights in Polyhrono, just opposite a small supermarket.A visit to the Sanctuary of Poseidon is a chance to enjoy the relation of Poseidon with the sea and the energy of the place where they worshiped the God.
This walk, which is quite long, takes one via forest tracks to the beautiful little village of Kassandrino , hidden away in the hills of Kassandra. This unspoilt Creek village is a delight to visit. The return path to Kryopighi also uses forest tracks that take one through the more remote parts of this peninsula.
The walk begins beside the church in Kryopighi. On entering the village from the north turn right into the old village immediately after passing under the second set of flashing amber traffic Signals.
From the church take the concrete road that leads southwest, up towards the woods. This zig zags up the hill, past houses, eventually becoming an unmade access road. From here, looking back there is a good view of the sea across to Kelyfos Island and Sithonia beyond. In 300m a junction is reached.
This path takes one from Hanioti on the east coast of Kassandra up onto the long ridge, which is the backbone of the peninsula. It then follows this ridge north to the fire lookout tower, situated at one of the highest points on the ridge, before descending again to Hanioti.
The climb follows goat tracks up a minor ridge from Hanioti to reach the main ridge, which gives expansive views in all directions of the surrounding terrain. A wide forest track is followed along the middle section revealing fine views of Skioni and the western coastline and, on the descent to Hanioti, the eastern coast lies before us.The walk begins beside the church in Kryopighi. On entering the village from the north turn right into the old village immediately after passing under the second set of flashing amber traffic Signals.
From the church take the concrete road that leads southwest, up towards the woods. This zig zags up the hill, past houses, eventually becoming an unmade access road. From here, looking back there is a good view of the sea across to Kelyfos Island and Sithonia beyond. In 300m a junction is reached.
An easy route that lasts about 2 hours. The distance between the places is about 5km. You will enjoy the beautiful seaview during your walk.
Source: kassandra-guide.gr, visitkassandra.com, ecotourism-greece.com
ROOMS & SUITES
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