HISTORY
Inhabited approximately 700,000 years ago, as revealed by the foundings
from the prehistoric area of Petralona. Neolithic villages and villages
from the Copper Period were located in the west and central Halkidiki, many
cities flourished, among which "Olynthos" was the most popular
one (archaeological sites of Olynthos, Potidea, Stagira, Toroni).
In 384 BC Aristoteles, the great philosopher and Alexander the Great's
teacher, was born in Stagira.
Halkidiki took its name from city of Chalkis,
located in Euboa, that colonized it in the 8th and 7th century BC. Kassandra
took its name from Kassandros (King of Macedonia) , Sithonia from Sithon, a
son of God Poseidon and Athos was named after a giant called Athos. In the
9th century the first monastic communities were established in Athos. Today,
the monastic state of Athos (also called "Holly Mountain"), is a
shelter of Byzantine monasteries, caves, monks, prayers, a
"mountain-church" for the thousand-years Christian Orthodox
religion.
No matter where
you go, Halkidiki cannot fail to please you. Throughout, an effort has been
made to develop tourist facilities that are in keeping with the natural
surroundings. Most of the hotels and private homes in the area are built in
the traditional Macedonian style, designed to enhance rather then detract
from the environment. In planning for tourism, the people of Halkidiki have
tried to make their resorts as appealing and as ecologically sound as
possible.
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