Category Archives: Sightseeing @el

Stagira: The birthplace of Aristotle

Ancient Sites @el Ancient Sites @el Halkidiki @el Sightseeing @el

The birthplace of the philosopher Aristotle was a colony of Andros, founded in 655 B.C. The first name of the city was Orthagoria. Ally, initially of the Athenians and later of the Spartans, the city was occupied by Philippos in 349 B.C., after the destruction of Olynthos. Philippos, however, rebuilt the city in order to honour the great philosopher, tutor of Alexander the Great. When Aristotle died, his fellow-citizens transported his bones to Stagira and set up a monument.

March 24, 2014

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The lighthouse in Possidi

Halkidiki @el Sightseeing @el

The village of Possidi is at the west side of Kassandra peninsula. It owes its name to the god Poseidon, the god of the sea. The ruins of the ancient sanctuary dedicated to God Poseidon are very close to the village. Although there is nothing worth seeing in the ruins, since there was no serious excavation project for the sanctuary, the area is very much worth visiting because of the headland and the lighthouse.

June 17, 2012

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Oldest olive tree and Lake Mavrobara (Turtle lake)

Halkidiki @el Sightseeing @el

This suggested trip offers you two beautiful spots for sightseeing. The first is one of the two oldest olive trees in the Cassandra peninsula, which happens to be in an olive grove that belongs to my family. You will be amazed by the olive tree’s size – it has been reported to be more than 400 years old. The second spot is Lake Mavrobara, a small lake full of turtles in the hills above the village of Polichrono.

May 2, 2012

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The breathtating Mount Athos

Excursions @el Halkidiki @el Religion @el Sightseeing @el

According to mythology the name Athos belongs to a Thracian giant. During the conflict between the Gods and the Giants, Athos threw a huge rock against God Poseidon, but the rock slipped through his fingers and fell to the sea, creating a huge block of land which is now Mount Athos. In a different version of that story, it was Poseidon who threw the rock against Athos. The rock crushed Athos and buried him underneath. This rock was called Mount Athos.

April 14, 2012

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Ancient town Olynthos

Ancient Sites @el Ancient Sites @el Halkidiki @el Sightseeing @el

The area was constantly inhabited since the Neolithic Age. According to mythology, the town was built by the brother of Olynthos, the son of the mythic King of Thrace, Strymonas. Olynthos was killed by a lion and his brother built the town to honour his brotherâ€™s name. However, the linguists insist that olynthos is the name of the wild fig tree, which is in abundance in the area, and the town was named after it.

April 9, 2012

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Daily excursion in Nea Fokaia

Excursions @el Halkidiki @el Sightseeing @el

A picturesque village at the top of the Cassandra peninsula, Nea Fokaia is a destination largely unknown to tourists. But with its sandy beaches for swimming, its historic monuments to the Byzantine era and its mouth-watering local cuisine made with fresh local ingredients, it’s a secret well worth sharing.

March 25, 2012

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The Petralona Cave

Ancient Sites @el Ancient Sites @el Halkidiki @el Sightseeing @el

Near the village of Petralona, at the base of Mount Katsika, one can find the entrance of the Cave of Petralona. It was accidentally discovered in 1959 by a villager. They named it “Red stones” (Kokkines Petres) because of the red earth which coloured the stalagmites and stalactites.

March 17, 2012

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