MYTHOLOGY
Read the following exciting chapters and find out more about Greek Mythology!
Being ignorant of the archaic man of the cave of Petralona, in “Theogony” Hesiodus believes that the first people appeared on the surface from the earth itself, whereas some of them appeared in Kassandra.
The history of Halkidiki begins with the war between the Gods of Olympus and the Giants, who had settled in the Peninsula of Halkidiki, which extends into three prongs of land, Kassandra, Sithonia and Athos.
ANCIENT HALKIDIKI
In the beginning of history and by the end of the Trojan War, Pelineis from Peloponnese anchored in Skioni to get water and food supplies before returning home. Then the Trojan women, who were traveling with them, burned their ships and forced them to stay with them in Skioni. At the same time, Ainias, the hero of Troy, while he was traveling to Rome, he wintered in the northwest of Halkidiki, where he built the town Ainia, close to Agelohori.
During the Neolithic Times several important settlements were created in the peninsula of Halkidiki.
Halkidiki was first colonized in the 8th and 7th century BC by Greeks from the South. Then follows the Persian War. In his history, Herodotus, gives us important information about the period starting from 492 BC and ending at the Golden Age.
Then follows the Persian War. In his history, Herodotus, gives us important information about the period starting from 492 BC and ending at the Golden Age.
32 cities of Halkidiki in 392 BC, having Olynthos as the most important, formed the Halkidian complex of towns. During that time a great philosopher and founder of sciences, Aristotle, was born.
HELLINISTIC TIMES
Here we will focus on the hegemony of the king of Macedonia, that of Filipos the Second and Alexander the Great.
In 168 BC, Halkidiki was dominated by the Romans and in this way begins the period of subjugation of Halkidiki to the Roman Empire.
During the following years the Roman Empire was converted into a Hellenistic Christian Byzantine Empire.
During the 6th century, Halkidiki was attacked by raids of Unis and all the ancient settlements were lost. Also, at the beginning of the 14th century Halkidiki had to deal with the Catalans.
THE TURKISH DOMINATION
In 1430 Halkidiki was dominated by the Turks. However, the War of Independence of 1821 was reinforced by the Halkidians, who took part in the Macedonian War of 1912 and finally managed to win their freedom.
MODERN HISTORY
In the 20th century three turning points change the history of Halkidiki: in 1912 the liberation of the peninsula, in 1923 the exchange of population and finally in 1960 the tourist growth.
Still, not only the nature and the countrysides of Halkidiki, but also its monuments, its people, their traditional customs and songs, their beliefs and their culture are typically characterized by the Macedonian Greek identity. Halkidiki is by all means the place of Aristotle and Mount Athos (Agion Oros).
MUSEUMS
Archaeological Museum of Polygyros
(tel: 03710 22.148)
Folklore Museum of Polygyros
(tel: 03710 22.619)
Museum of Petralona
(tel: 03730 71.671)
Archaelogical Collection of Lampropoulos
(tel: 03710 22.208)
Archaelogical Area of Olynthos – Museum
(tel: 03730 91.000)
Museum of Shells – Maritime Museum, Nea Moudania
(tel: 03730 23.990)
Folklore Museum of Arnaia
(tel: 03720 22.323)
Folklore Museum of Afytos
(tel: 03740 91.239)
Folklore Museum of Nea Triglia
(tel: 03730 51.205)
Folklore Museum of Vithynia, Nea Moudiania
(tel: 03730 21.368)
