Is it possible that beneath our feet lie secrets of a 3000-year-old culture here at \u03a0\u03c1\u03bf\u03c0\u03ad\u03bb\u03b1? Halkidiki appears in Greek myths. It is said that the Giant Enceladus was buried in Kassandra. Another myth says that Giant Olympus threw a rock forming the peninsula of Mount Athos. Sithonia took its name from Sithon. He was the son of Poseidon the ancient Greek god.
The history of Halkidiki is rich and long. Findings at Petralona cave prove man’s presence in the region 700000 years ago. A human skull was found dating back 200000 years. The first traces of a civilized human community appeared in 4000 BC.
Initially Thracians and Pelasgians inhabited the region. During the 8th century BC new inhabitants arrived from Eretria and Halkida. This is where the name Halkidiki comes from. By the 5th century new city states were formed. These included Aineia Gigonos and Olynthos. Also Sermyli Galipsos and Toroni were founded. Not to forget Stagira Apollonia and Arnea. By the end of the 5th century the 32 most powerful cities founded the federation of the Chalkideans. Olynthos was their leader. The Spartans dissolved the federation in 379 BC.
In 348 BC the area was incorporated into the kingdom of Macedonians. This led to the formation of three major cities. Kassandria and Ouranoupolis in 325 BC and Antigoneia in 280 BC. In 168 BC the Romans conquered the area leading to its decay.
In 1430 the Ottomans conquered the region. They incorporated Halkidiki into the administrative district of Thessaloniki. Halkidiki was divided into three areas. These divisions helped to fulfil certain tax-collecting demands. Kassandra was the first peninsula. Hasikohoria extended to the bay of Toroni and the Thermaic Gulf. Mademohoria was the third area. Mount Athos remained a separate area. The 18th century was a period of prosperity for Halkidiki. Coastal villages became common targets of pirate raids.
In May 1821 Halkidiki joined the unsuccessful revolution against the Ottoman Empire. Emmanuel Pappas was the leader. There was a second strike of the resistance in 1854. Tsiamis Karatasos led this one.
During the early 20th century the people of Halkidiki joined the fight for the liberation of Macedonia. Liberation finally arrived in October 1912. Ten years later thousands of refugees came from Asia Minor. This led to the formation of 27 new villages. These villages contributed enormously to the region’s cultural and economic growth.
Today Halkidiki keeps its history alive. It lives in the memory of its people. It also lives in the historical monuments that are spread across the countryside. The recorded history of Halkidiki traces back thousands of years. This has left a great number of treasures like \u03a0\u03c1\u03bf\u03c0\u03ad\u03bb\u03b1 for us to explore.