CULTURE_MUNICIPALITY ARISTOTLE_EASTERN HALKIDIKI

Culture: is an event Enjoy

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Contents

A few words

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The message of the Mayor

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The map

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The Hellenistic City of Stageira – the birth place of Aristotle

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Mount Athos

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The tower Prosforiou, Ouranoupolis

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The Zigou Monastery, the gate for Mount Athos

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The Canal of Xerxes

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The Ancient Akanthos

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The Sanctuary of Ancient Ouranoupoli

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Sidirokafsia

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The Castle Neposi

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The Park of Aristotle

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The Alexis Zorbas reference, Paleochori

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The Metropolitan Church Saint Stephanos, Arnea

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The waving museum, Arnea

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The museum of folklore & arts, Arnea

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The Ierissos cultural center

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A few words

It is rare, so many ancient sites and monuments neighboring each other, existing in an area, where the historical data compose such a rare and of high importance route.

Eastern Halkidiki presents its history through its ancient sites, the monuments, and its museums: •The Hellenistic City of Stageira – the birth place of Aristotle, •The Zigou Monastery, the gate for Mount Athos, •The Canal of Xerxes, •The Ancient Akanthos, •The Sanctuary of Ancient Ouranoupoli •Sidirokafsia •The Castle Neposi

Visit them at every opportunity, following the existing archaeological routes, or even by creating your own!

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The message of the Mayor

According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization, cultural tourism is «movements of persons for essentially cultural motivations such as study tours, performing arts and cultural tours, travel to festivals and other cultural events, visits to sites and monuments, travel to study nature, folklore or art, and pilgrimages».

Culture and tourism have a mutually beneficial relationship which can strengthen the attractiveness and competitiveness of this destination, which among all is the birthplace of the Greek philosopher Aristotle and the gate for Mount Athos.

Culture is increasingly an important element of the tourism product, which creates distinctiveness in a crowded global marketplace. Culture and tourism are linked because of their obvious synergies and their growth potential.

Destinations are also trying to increase their comparative advantage by adding to their stock of cultural attractions. They are also trying to develop their intangible culture and creativity. Musicality of Aristotle is following the same route.

Stylianos Valianos Mayor of Aristotle Municipality

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MAP OF MUNICIPALITY OF ARISTOTLE EASTERN HALKIDIKI 6

Routes to Municipality of Aristotle

Map Symbols

Thessaloniki > Poligiros > Vrastama > Gomati > Ierissos > Ouranoupoli

Airport

Ancient Site

Spa

Thessaloniki > Ag. Prodromos > Paleochora > Arnea > Paleochori > M.Panagia > Gomati >

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Protected Areas Νatura European Network Taxiarhis - Poligiros

Sithonia Peninsula

Mount Holomontas

Mount Athos

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The Hellenistic city of Stageira, the birth place of philosopher Aristotle It is for sure the most beautiful place that you have ever seen! Built on the verdant peninsula «Liotopi», 500meters southeast of Olympiada, and occupies the two hills of the small peninsula.

The location of the city, which is the birthland of Aristoteles, the view is majestic: overlooks the endless, the pristine beaches of Olympiada, being one of the most historically important archaeological sites of Greece.

The city was founded around 655 BC by Iones colonists of Andros Island, and little later arrived also settlers from Halkida. After the Persian wars, Stagira was a member of the Athenian Alliance, contributing this way to the common fund. During the Peloponnesian War, and concreter in 424 BC, the city was deserted by the Athenians and allied with the Spartans. The event angered the Athenians who rushed to siege the city, but without managing. Later Stagira joined the Public of Halkida. In 349 BC the city was besieged and later yielded to Macedonia’s king Philip II, who devastated it, to found it again from the beginning some years later, in order to honor Aristotle. It seems though that this destruction marked the start of the city’s decline. For this reason geographer Stravon, who lived at the time of Jesus Christ, noted that Stageira was deserted.

Learn more Municipality of Aristotle | Ancient Stagira (dimosaristoteli.gr) and Visit Ancient Stageira! Dare to wander around the archaeological paths in the verdurous nature, seeing all the findings on both hills, and- if it is summerfinish the visit with a swim at the beaches around. Indeed it is about a unique experience!

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Mount Athos A thousand year old history Mount Athos, commonly known as Holy Mountain, is the most important center of orthodox monasticism since late 10th century and is one of the top monuments of the world’s cultural heritage. It occupies the northern part of Halkidiki’s peninsula, its size is 45 km in length and 5-10 km in width, and is named after the mountain’s homonymous peak (at 2.033m) that overlooks the rocky strip of land. The Athos peninsula is forested, has pastures and small areas that monks do their “handiwork”, i.e. cultivate, for centuries. However, the name “Garden of Virgin Mary” is given by popular faith, because it is the only place privileged to have its own heritage and dominion.

Even though tradition says that the first hermits settled there at the end of the 8th century, the first ones mentioned is a person shrouded by mists of myth named Peter the Athonite and Saint Euthymius the Younger, both settling there in 859. Initially, cenobitic monasticism appeared in 963, when Athanasios the Athonite, supported by his friend and emperor Nikephoros Phokas, founded the oldest monastery of Megisti (Great) Lavra. In 972, John Tsimiskes signed the famous “Tragos” (a text on parchment), which constitutes the Athonite monasticism’s first “typicon”, bearing the rules of organizing and operation of the cenobitic communities. Avaton, is one of the most ancient and unbreakable rules. In 1060, emperor Constantine Monomachos introduced the so called avaton, the non-accessibility of Mount Athos to eunuchs, beardless children and women. It attracted the interest, grace protection and tax immunity of the Byzantine emperors and the other Balkans orthodox rulers right from the very first years of its history. At the same time, the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople claimed and still has the spiritual jurisdiction of the monasteries.

CENOBITIC ORGANIZATION During the 10th century, Mount Athos attracted monks from several orthodox countries. The Georgian monastery of Iviron was founded in 979-80 and the Italian monastery of Amalfi, not existing at present day, was established next. Several orthodox Armenians were among those in the fraternity of Esphigmenou monastery. The Slavs monks arrived in the 12th century. The Panteleimon monastery was passed on to monks from the state of Ros, ie, the areas around Kiev. The Chilandariou monastery was renovated to a Serbian monastery and Bulgarian monks settled in Zografou monastery in the 13th century.

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Mount Athos retains a timeless inter-orthodox character. The cenobitic organization of monastic fraternities quickly gained ground against individual hermit ascetics. The administration and spiritual guidance was exercised by the abbot, the obediences where an obligation of each monk and the feeding was common. The monasteries of Megisti Lavra, Vatopediou and Iviron occupied the first three positions in the hierarchical classification of the monasteries and where prioritized in the central command of the Mount, the “Protato” of Karyes. New monasteries were established during the 11th-12th century such as the Konstamonitou, the Dochiariou, the Koutloumousiou, and at the same time other monasteries expanded their properties.

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ARCHITECTURE During the ages, monasteries were large multistorey, confined building blocks, with wings housing the “kellia”, the lodgings of the monks as well as facilities for their self-operation. The refectory where the common dinning of monks and pilgrims take place, the container where food and olive oil are stored, as well as the vagenareio (wine cellar) are some of the many buildings of the monasteries. The focal point of monastic life is the Catholicon, a church in the centre court. The fountain used for the blessing of the water is located in the yard. The monastery has a small shipyard, a building complex at the beach including a harbor and storage spaces.

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Mount Athos Constant threats from several invaders during history, forced the monasteries to create an impressive fortress architecture with huge defensive towers dominating the area.

In 1204, the conquest of Constantinople by the Franks of the fourth Crusade and the allegiance of Mount Athos to the Latin Kingdom of Thessaloniki created a lot of problems. In addition, bandit attacks by the notorious Catalan Company in the 14th century, worsened the relations between monks and Latins. Pirate attacks of Turkish emirs of Asia Minor have taken place at the same period according to the monasteries’ historical records.

A period of prosperity followed, with the founding of the monasteries of Gregoriou, Dionisiou, Pantokratoros and Simonopetras. At that time, Athos became the center of Hesychasm, with Gregorios Palamas as its representative, who expressed the mystical dimension of the Orthodox tradition.

THE PROPERTIES OF THE MONASTERIES Estates, vineyards, pastures, mills, fish farms, whole villages, urban rented properties and workshops are some of the properties owned by monasteries of Athos. They were located in Macedonia including Thessaloniki and especially in Halkidiki peninsular and Strimonas valley. They extented to Thrace, Lemnos, Serbia and Wallachia. Many monasteries owned ships for transporting products and importing necessary supplies. Their ownership rights and tax exemptions were ensured by imperial Golden Bulls . Their benefactors, apart from the humble peasants, were byzantine emperors, Grand Komnenos of Trabzond, rulers of Serbia and Bulgaria and voivodes of Wallachia.

The peculiar monasticism with the administration of the monasteries being exercised by the Assembly of Heads, developed in the 14th century. Worship was common but the ministrations were paid. Each monk assumed the responsibility of taking care of himself. At present, every monastery follows the cenobitic way of life.

SKETES, CELLS, SEATS In 1430 when Ottomans ruled Mount Athos, its autonomy was recognized and its monasteries had to pay taxes. A few peculiar forms of monastic exercise had been sread during the Ottoman rule, such as Sketes, Cells, Seats and

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Hesyhasms. They belong to a monastery as its “accessory parts”. Hermitages are settlements consisting of “huts” built around a church named “Kyriako”.

Every “hut” is inhabited by three monks who elect the head of the Skete called “dikaio”. The oldest Sketes in Mount Athos are those of St. Anna and Kafsokalyvia. The “Cells” consist of a small temple and a house with its yard.

These are granted for life to an old monk who exercises there together with his ”escort”, his two “subjects”.

The “Cells”, but mainly the “Hermitages” are individual huts at the steep coasts of southwestern Athos, where the hermit strictly exercises by continuous prayers, vigil and deprivation. Ottoman rule highlighted some great personalities in the Mount, such as the one of Cretan Agapios Landos of Kollyvades in the 18th century. At the same time, Vatopedi monastery introduced in 1848, a core of modern Greek Enlightenment called “Athoniada”, with famous students as Iosipos Moisiodax and Cosmas of Aetolia.

Emmanuel Papas disembarked in Daphne in 1821 and declared the Revolution of the Greek nation. A new period started with the liberation of Macedonia, when the international treaties recognized the self-rule of the Monastic State of Mount Athos within the limits of the Greek state. At present, European Union Treaties ensure the inviolability of this ancient status, which always prevailed in the Athonite peninsula.

THE RECOVERY Nowadays, Athos’ monasticism shows an optimistic recovery, overcoming a period of decline, when the huge monastic complexes suffered from the lack of men. In the last thirty years the number of new monks more than doubled and the monasteries have been renovated. Monasticism gained some special quality characteristics and the cenobitic way of life was strengthened. Elder Fathers with high spiritual and moral stature led many young, highly educated people to the monastic tonsure. Despite the challenges of the 21st century, the 20 “Dominant”, “Royal”, Patriarchal” and “Stavropegial” holy monasteries comprising the Monastic State of Mount Athos, continue to support and spiritually reinforce the Church and the Greek society with the ascetic lifestyle.

At the same time they fight vigorously to preserve intact the divine-human landscape.

Text: Dr. Antonios G. Dikaios/ Theologian – Environmentalist

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The Prosforiou Tower The birds flying around and the fishermen fixing their nets near the pier perfectly match the picture of the lonely, high tower located on the sand.

The symbol of Ouranoupoli, the last “postcard” everyone boarding the ship to Mount Athos takes with him, seems to exist there since the 12th century and is the largest and best preserved tower in Halkidiki. The complex consists of the byzantine tower, the small, fortified yard called “barbakas” and the “arsanas” (port) of 1865.

It belonged to the dependency of Prosforion (today’s Ouranoupoli) the original core of which already belonged to the Vatopediou monastery in 1018.

Scattered information regarding what happened to the building is found from sources, since the excavations are not yet finished. It is known that in 1379, the despot of Thessaloniki named John Palaiologos was hosted here, that in an earthquake in 1585 it suffered great damage and that in 1858 it was abandoned –a picture commonly seen at that time in Halkidiki. In addition, it was probably burned in 1821, since there are testimonies that in 1858 it was in a terrible condition and abandoned. Its current form came from the extensive repair and reconstruction that followed.

In 1924, after the exchange of population, refuges from Asia Minor settled in the dependencies and founded Ouranoupoli. Several houses were built over time and gradually joined the building set. In 1928, the couple Joice and Sydney Loch came as members of humanitarian groups. They settled in the tower and offered essential help to the refuges and the victims of the 1932 earthquake.

STRUCTURAL-HISTORICAL PHASES The building has been through at least three main structural-historical phases.

The byzantine phase (11th-12th century) includes the lower building without the two floors. In the next phase, dated during the Ottoman rule and probably after the 1585 earthquake, three more floors were added, two of which are preserved until present day. The third floor might have been another level of battlements. The inner wood paneling of the building and the roof, preserved until present day were built in the third phase, and were included in the reconstruction that finished in 1862. The external oblique retaining wall (called skarpas), was built after the reconstruction.

The “barbakas”, i.e. the fortified perimeter, is attached to the eastern side of the tower that seems to be an addition during the early Ottoman rule, with subsequent repairs. The accommodation and storage spaces inside barbakas were designated in the middle 19th century. Arsanas (harbor) is located northwest of the tower, and was built in 1865 together with a pier that 14

nowadays does not exist. It consists of the semi basement storage of the dependency’s boat, the warehouses in the semi upper floor and the upper floor. There were also other buildings: warehouses, barns, olive mills, wells.

Nowadays only the “halkadio” and the “kolligadiko” located a little farther, are preserved.

THE LOCHS The Australian writer and journalist Joice NanKivelli treveled to Europe to report the events of the 1st world war. In 1919, she married Scotish journalist and writer Sydney Loch and together they continued traveling and settling in several countries of the world offering humanitarian help (they belonged to the religious group of Kouakers, or Christian Friends). In one of their journeys, they went to Thessaloniki and from there to Ouranoupoli. In 1928, they decided to settle, initially in the island of Ammouliani and then to the Prosforiou tower that charmed them.

Older people still remember them, they talk about the ”Madam” and Sydney, for helping them during the difficult times after the 1932 earthquake, for the way they used to run around all day long, distributing drugs to the refuges, for how they used to take their lanterns at night and visit people in need.

Their largest contribution was the preservation of the traditional patterns of handmade textiles. Sydney designed based on patterns from murals of Mount Athos and Persian carpets. Joice showed how to naturally color the wool, to the already experienced with weaving, women of the Asia Minor refuges. They both passed away in Ouranoupoli, Sydney in 1954 and Joice in 1982 at the age of 95.

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The Zigou Monastery It is about the excavation of the former Mount Athos, Zigou Monastery, and located 40m away from the nowadays borderline of Mount Athos known as the unique monastery which can be visited by women as well.

The first mention of “Zigou” on the Athos peninsula comes from a document of 1942. In 958, St Athanasios, the later founder of Megistis Lavras Monastery, was initially invited to Zigou, where he started his ascetic life, under the loyalty and the obedience of his Elder. In 991 seems that Zigou Monastery had been already founded, whose first testimony comes only in 996. The monastery was dedicated to Prophet Elias. Although during 11th century the monastery was one of the most important Athos monasteries, in 1199 was already deserted and given as a metochi from Emperor Alexios III Aggelos, to the re-founded then Hilandariou Monastery. Around 1206, appears to settle in the castle a Frankish ruler with his soldiers, who dashed from there and looting Mount Athos. That was until 1211, when the intervention of Pope of Rome expelled him from the region. For this reason, the ruins of the monastery are also known as “Fragkokastro”.

It is a unique example of big Athos monastery, whose structure can be studied without the barriers of later building phases and devotional use. It is noted that the walled area stretches to 5.5 acres and the walls are fortified with 11 towers. The castle consists of 5 at least building phases, all older to 1211.

The information is taken from the booklet of 10th Ephorate of Byzantine Antiquities, this will be given to us during your visit to the Monastery.

Learn more Municipality of Aristotle | Zygou monastery (dimosaristoteli.gr) and Visit Zigou Monastery! It abstains 1000m from Ouranoupoli and is the end of the mapped archaeological walk, starting from Prosforiou Tower, but the end of the mapped walk and cycling route. Women (who cannot visit Mount Athos monasteries) will understand the operation of a Holy Monastery and men will feel the need to carry out a pilgrimage visit to the unique monastic state of the world. A few meters away from the Monastery are the land borders of Mount Athos. The wall, the Arsanas of Chromitsa monastery, the lush vegetation along the calm waters of the Gulf, will convey you the devoutness of Mount Athos.

(Ticket price 2€) For the antiquities of Ouranoupolis click here: Municipality of Aristotle | Antiquities of Ouranopolis (dimosaristoteli.gr)

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The canal of Xerxes

The Xerxes Canal was a navigable canal through the base of the Mount Athos peninsula built by king Xerxes I of Persia in the 5th century BCE. It is one of the few monuments left by the Persian Empire in Europe.

The canal is located near the village of Nea Roda in the Athos peninsula.

Starting to the east of Nea Roda on the north coast it follows a fairly straight south-westerly direction towards the south coast where it ends west of the village Tripiti.

Xerxes, in preparation for the Second Persian invasion of Greece, in 483 BCE ordered a channel built through the Athos isthmus in order to avoid falling prey to the same catastrophe. Herodotus speculates that pride also was a motivating factor: 18

As far as I can judge by conjecture, Xerxes gave the command for this digging out of pride, wishing to display his power and leave a memorial; with no trouble they could have drawn their ships across the isthmus, yet he ordered them to dig a canal from sea to sea, wide enough to float two triremes rowed abreast.

The work, led by the two Persians Bubares and Artachaies, lasted three years.

It was completed in 480 BCE by forcibly recruited locals, as well as Egyptian and Phoenician workers. The length, according to Herodotus, was 12 stadia, and it was capped at both ends by dikes to prevent surf from clogging it. The canal soon fell into disrepair as it was not used after the Persian fleet had passed through on their way first to the battle of Artemisium and then on to that of Salamis.

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The Ancient Akanthos Ancient Akanthos stretched in three hills of the Stratoniko Mountain, in an 560 acre area, approximately 600m southeast from the Ierissos settlement.

The walled city of Akanthos was named after the many thorns of the region or after the thorn-formed shape of the fortification. A systematic excavation has yet to be done. Some of the travelers of the previous century report the existence of an ancient pier in the port of the city. Indeed, present evidence regarding the city start from the beach of Ierissos, where ruins of a platform of the ancient port are preserved.

The walls of the acropolis are the most important preserved ruins, since parts of 8m in height are some of them. The ruins, visible at present day, are mainly parts of the city’s fortification, ruins of walls, an impressive part of the acropolis, scattered architectural parts and structural ruins of the Hellenistic period, public buildings, houses and the foundations of a temple –probably of Goddess Athena- on top of the hill.

WALK It is wonderful to take a walk on the three hills where Akanthos used to be.

You will enjoy it especially in spring when the place is verdurous. Ascending straight from the entrance of the archaeological site, you will see the byzantine cobbled road with a house and an inside yard surrounded by rooms, on it. It was built in the later 4th century B.C. early 3rd century B.C. and was destroyed in the 2nd century B.C. As it seems from its structure, it is characterized by the total feeling of privacy.

Continuing your walk, you descend on the first hill where a byzantine church is located, probably of the 10th century, built from material of the ancient building that was destroyed by the 1932 earthquake. Potteries of the Early Iron Age have been discovered around it. Walking towards the second hill you will see on your left parts of the wall and next you descend to the third hill. There are foundations of a hekatompedon ancient temple (i.e. 100 foot or 30,48m long) on top of it, by the excavation of which few movable findings were discovered.

The view is outstanding.

THE CEMETΕRY Akanthos is not excavated fully yet, but the research for the necropolis had started in 1973. It spreads to the coastal part of Ierissos and more than 600 tombs have been currently recorded. The cemetery was used from the archaic period until the roman period and probably with some interruptions until 17th

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century B.C. The tombs are in two or at least three superimposed layers, usually parallel to the coastline. According to the known ancient customs, children and adults were buried in the same place. There are several types of tombs, such as simple or clay-coated, rectangular pits with clay urns or embossed or painting decorated, box shaped, tile roofed tombs.

Some burials in jars or smaller vessels are also recorded, that consist the largest percentage of the childrens’ and babies’ tombs. The funeral gifts are of a great variety. Most of them are clay vessels. Many of the funeral gifts were private property of the dead or were relevant to the profession or their occupation: among them, jewels, pins, brooches, mirrors, strigils, needles, hooks, knives etc. The existence of weapons was probably rare. Clay figurines in the form of gods, cupids, actors, humans, animals are often found in women’s and mainly children’s tombs. Similar burial customs, tombs and findings are found in cemeteries of other cities of Macedonia and Thrace.

The influences, the cultural contacts and the trading with the Greek-speaking countries of the East and the island centers of the Aegean Sea with Euboea, Athens, Corinth and Boeotia are obvious. The workshops of Akanthos, where amphorae for the transportation of the famous “akanthio wine” were constructed, were situated between the ancient cemetery and the city.

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The Ancient Akanthos HISTORICAL DATA Ancient Akanthos was located near the so called Canal of Xerxes in the Strymonian Gulf, on the root of the Athonite peninsula, in the present gulf of Ierissos. It is stated as a colony of Andros by Stravonas (7,331) and Thucydides (4,84). According to Eusebius and to some other archaeological data, it was probably founded in 655 B.C. It is generally accepted that it was founded in the middle 7th century from Ionian colonists of Andros or of Andros and Halkida, at the same time of the founding of three other known colonies in the region: Sani (Nea Roda), Stagira and the oldest Greek colony in the area of Strymon, called Argilos, located a little more to the north. Its economy was based on its mineral and forest wealth, as well as the agricultural and stockbreeding products that were trafficked through its port.

Herodotus (6,44) states that in 490 B.C., the city surrendered to the Persians of Mardoni. In 480 B.C., during the next Persian campaign, Xerxes passed through there, and the city was forced to accommodate his huge army, a fact that probably implied the almost complete economic disaster of Akanthos.

Residents were also forced to work in the opening of the Canal of Xerxes, for his fleets’ passage. After the Median wars, the city drove away the Persians and became subordinate to the winners, Athenians. Xenophon, states in his Greek (5,2,11) that in 424 B.C., Akanthos it was passed on to Spartan general Vrasidas and remained an ally to the Spartans until the end of the Peloponnesian war. In the early 4th century, it opposed Olynthos and thus of the establishment of the Olympian Confederacy.

In 348 B.C., Macedonians headed by Philip II, conquered every city of Halkidiki and retained them under their command until 200 B.C. Then, Akanthos was completely destroyed by Attalos I the Soter and his Roman allies during the war against Macedonian king Philip V. Roman. Historian Titos Livios states (31,45) that the united fleet and army of Attalos and Romans conquered and pillaged the city. In 168 B.C., after the battle of Pynda, it became a Roman ownership and the latest reports of the city are until the byzantine period. The city was famous for its wine and salt. In fact, they used to say that the crickets in ancient Akanthos were voiceless. Thus came the famous ancient Greek proverb “Akanthios tettix”, as reported by Mnason the Patrefs and Simonidis.

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COINS OF THE CITY The coins minted by the city are an important addition to its history.

They are considered to be some of the oldest and most stylish Greek coins of the ancient era. Akanthos minted coins for the first time in 530 B.C. modeled on the monetary system of Euboean silver. Its four drachmas coin bears the presentation of the famous bull killer lion, a lion devouring an ox.

There is an incuse square divided into four similar squares on the opposite side. In the same coin, the inscription “AKANTHION” was later added on the backside together with some symbols (acanthus flower, etc.).

In other four drachmas coins, the lion devours a boar –these were probably minted in Stagira, the port of which was called Kapros.

The drachmas of Akanthos illustrate a kneeling boar, turning his head backwards. The four-obol coins also present a lion or a bull. The two-obol coins present the head of Athena. The obol coins present a head of a lion.

All these coins were silver. After 424 B.C., when Akanthos joined the Spartans, it started minting silver coins modeled on the Phoenician monetary system.

These too present a lion devouring a bull, whereas the opposite side has the inscription “AKANTHION” and the name of each governor. Four-drachmas, four-obol and three-obol coins have a bull in the fron side. The two-obol coins illustrate the helmet wearing Athena with the inscription “AKAN”.

Those were minted until 400 B.C.

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The Sanctuary of Ancient Ouranoupoli – The ancient Sani Between the port of Tripiti and the golden beaches of Develiki and Xeropotami are located the findings of the Temple of Ancient Ouranoupoli, which had life from the archaic to the Hellenistic era, a history associated with cities: • Sani, and • Ouranoupoli, which was founded in 315 BC from Alexarchos, brother of Cassandros, king of Macedonia At the late of the 6th century, the residents of Sani built the sanctuary outside the city walls. But when Alexarchos founded Ouranoupoli, placed it inside.

The excavations brought to light important findings: • • • •

a pile of stones, with traces of burning rituals marble heads of the Sun a marble head of a girl a built desk along the Temple, etc

Your visit to the Sanctuary of Ancient Ouranoupoli is an archaeological walk in an area of natural beauty along the Gulf of Mount Athos and across the island of Ammouliani.

Learn more Municipality of Aristotle | Ancient Sani (dimosaristoteli.gr) and do not miss it, it will amaze you!

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Sidirokafsia

At the north of Eastern Halkidiki, in the 9th AD century, was developed Sidirokafsia, which took its name by the mineral deposits existed at the area, and from the trading as well, which was intensified since the early years of the Ottoman Rule.

Concreter, the fortress complex of “Sidirokafsia” was built at all heights of today’s settlement of Stageira, which includes parts of the fortificationmostly towers, ruins of houses and workshops, where the mine trading was taking place.

The mines of Sidirokafsia were under the control of the Sultan and were (along with villages) the “League of Mademia”, controlled by the Assembly (Sabor). It is about the 20 famous Mademohoria, headed by the MademAga, who collected annually the contribution of the Great Gate.

Over the years the mines declined, until the revolution of 1821, when Mademohoria participated in the War of Indepedence, suffering though from heavy disasters from the Ottomans. Then the League of Mademia broke down.

Nowadays you will see all these findings into the Park of Aristotle and the hill right across. The local history will pass in front of your eyes!

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Neposi Castle

On the top of a fort hill, south of Paleohori, it is built a castle, the “Castelli”, the largest of Halkidiki. The only connection to the hill with the mountain is a narrow path. Circled by three sides of a pit, the main tributary of Havrias River, brings plangent sounds of the canyon, coming from a depth of 30-40 meters. Surrounded by a landscape of an outstanding natural beauty and lush vegetation, is “protected” by a wall of length from 800-1000 meters and height of 4 to 5 meters.

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The castle occupies an area of 15 acres.

The wall seems to have 3 building phases, which are distinguished at its height, and show how many times it had been rebuilt after disasters. Built in the 5th AD century on a location that it was inhabited at least since 1500 BC. The castle was seriously damaged, probably during the 6th century, when it was finally abandoned.

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Aristotle's Park The Aristotle’s Park, a unique theme park of Halkidiki, is located at an altitude of about 500 meters, in the historical village of Stagira, beside the remains of Machalas, the capital of Mademochoria. It is worth visiting for its interesting instruments and the great view to the gulf of Ierissos. The park preexisted and the wonderful location was chosen in 1956 to host the statue of Aristotle, made by sculptor Nicholas, in honor of the great philosopher who was born in Ancient Stagira.

The unique interactive instruments were placed there in 2003 by the Municipal Corporation of Stagira-Akanthos. They are experimental instruments, operating by rules of physics that are mentioned in Aristotle’s textbooks and especially in the one called “The Naturals”. With this addition, the park has become a favorite destination for every visitor and school, since it combines recreation, entertainment and education. It is estimated that has more than 15.000 visitors during the summer. The tower of Madem Agas is also located there, with the house that was the administrative center of Sidirokafsia mines.

THE EXPERIMENTAL INSTRUMENTS Compass: It is placed in front of the statue of Aristotle and symbolizes that his philosophy has reached every part of the world, and is a starting point of modern worldwide scientific thought, and belongs to humanity. It displays the direction and distance of the most famous cities in the world, in relation to the park.

Telescope: Using the modern telescopes placed in specific spots, the visitor can focus on and enjoy details of the fantastic view to the Ierissos gulf and to the Athonite peninsula.

Prism: The white sunlight passes through the special prism and the famous “colors of the rainbow” are analyzed due to the different speeds of each individual radiation, since each different wavelengthed radiation exits through a different angle.

Sun clock: The large, horizontal sun clock shows the exact time of the place you are. There is a difference of 1 hour and 25 minutes to the current time during summer and 25 minutes difference during winter. The curved lines on the plate of the clock are for the identification of the current month.

Lens: The sign next to the lens informs us that every photon, i.e. every minimum amount of light, has little energy by itself, but when every one is concentrated in one spot then that energy becomes greater.

Pentaphone: It consists of five large pieces of granite that have been calculated to produce a sound of different frequency, a different note. These five notes sound according to the pentaphone ancient scale.

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Optical discs: Experimenting with the optical discs, you will find that when the images pass in front of our visual field with great speed, the human eye does not understand them as different, but it creates a continuous visual whole as if we are watching a movie. This happens because the impression of the image lasts for 1/16 of a second on the optical nerve due to inertia. This quality of the eye is called persistence of vision. Cinema actually depends on the “inability” of the eye to see more than 24 images per second.

Pendulum: Older people will remember and younger will learn that the energy of one of the systems that initiates the oscillation is transferred to the other due to conjunction. The effect is that the oscillation width is reducing into the first system, while it is increasing into the next.

Water turbine: By rotating the lever we can create a swirl in the liquid that is contained in the transparent container, and understand the physics of the phenomenon, or compare it with the rotation of the wind that creates a tornado.

Inertia spheres: By playing with the inertia spheres, we are always impressed by the phenomenon of transfer of momentum, when during the first impact, the initial momentum is maintained and is consecutively transferred from the first sphere to the last.

Parabolic reflectors: They are placed in a straight line with a large distance from each other. If two people stand in front of each one, they can have a conversation even if they whisper. This happens because the transferred through air sound waves, are reflected, their energy is concentrated in the center and the sound ends up amplified in the ears of those participating in the experiment.

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Aristotle's Park PLATES WITH SUBPARAGRAPHS OF ARISTOTLE The interactive experimental instruments are accompanied by relevant subparagraphs posted on plates, from the preserved work of the great philosopher.

…Τούτο δ’ η ταχύτης ποιεί της κινήσεως, ώστε δοκείν έτερον είναι το ορών και το ορώμενον… […the result is produced by the speed of the movement, in order to show the difference between the seen and the shown…]

ABOUT SENSES AND FEELINGS …Περί δε της αληθείας, ως ου παν το φαινόμενον αληθές… […in terms of truth, not every phenomenon is real…]

AFTER THE NATURAL III …Νους δε υπό του νοητού κινείται… […the movement of the mind is caused by the understandable…]

AFTER THE NATURAL I … Τα μεν ουν είδη το νοητικόν εν τοις φαντάσμασι νοεί… […mental psyche comprehends the species in fantasy images…]

ABOUT SOUL III …Πότερον δε γέγονε ποτέ κίνησης, ουκ ούσα πρότερον, και φθείρεται πάλιν ούτως ώστε κινείσθαι μηδέν… [… Movement was one day born, not previously existing and wears down so that it does not exist…]

NATURAL HEARING IX …εις άπειρον δε κινείσθαι μηδέν… […nothing is indefinite…]

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NATURAL HEARING IX …οίον ει εξ αέρος εστί το αισθητήριον, καθ’ έστιν ο αήρ και ψόφου και χρόας… […air is the element between the senses of color and sound…]

ABOUT SOUL III …Το πρώτως κινούν εν άπασιν είναι τοις κινουμένοις ακίνητον… […the primarily driven is immovable…]

NATURAL HEARING IX …Άπαν το κινούμενον υπό τινος ανάγκη κινείσθαι… […everything moving is needed to be moved by something…]

NATURAL HEARING VII …Διό και δοκεί ο χρόνος είναι της σφαίρας κίνησης ότι ταύτη μετρούνται αι άλλαι κινήσεις και ο χρόνος ταύτη τη κινήσει… […this is why time seems to be the movement of the sphere (of the universe).

Other movements and time also are measured by it…]

NATURAL HEARING IV …Αλλά τάχιστα κινείται τα εγγύτατα του κινούντος, τοιαύτη δ’ η του όλου κίνησις εκεί άρα το κινούν… […the things closest to the one that moves them move faster, this is the movement of the universe, in the circumference of which the thing that moves, exists …]

NATURAL HEARING IX … Ηχώ δε γίνεται όταν υπό του αέρος, όστις ένεκα του αγγείου, όπερ περιώρισε και ημπόδισε αυτόν να διαχυθή, έγεινεν είς, πάλιν ο αήρ απωσθή, ώσπερ σφαίρα... […echo does not happen when the air (sound wave) limited in the vase, not allowed to dissolve, is repelled again as a sphere…]

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Τhe reference point of Alexis Zorbas (Zorba the Greek) at Paleochori According to the documents, Alexis Zorbas was born in the mountainous Katafygi, a village located on an altitude 1,450m in Pieria.

For another point of view, his origin was from Kolindros, close to Katerini.

Giorgis (his real name) grazed his father’s goats and sheep, while at the age of 15 he shouldered all the responsibility of the flock. When disease structed on animals, he was forced to move for survival reasons. He arrived (on foot) to the Mademochoria villages in Halkidiki to find job in a mine.

He arrived in Lisborough (today’s Stratoniki) and was immediately hired as an unskilled laborer by a French company exploiting the iron pyrite, silver, zinc and lead mine of Madem Lakkos. There he met the foreman of the mine, Yannis Kalkounis, and married his daughter Eleni. He worked in the furnaces in neighboring Sidirokausia (commonly known as Siderokapsa), Liaregova (Arnaia), Novoselo (Neochori), Mahalas (Stagira).

In the meantime, he started a family and had twelve children. Amidst the cosmogonic changes in Macedonia brought about by the liberation war of 1912-1913, his beloved Eleni died. The mine closed because of the Balkan Wars. In order to support his family, he returned to Eleftherochori, Pieria, outside of Kolindros, close to his brother Giannis, where he did whatever odd jobs he could find (blacksmith, woodcutter). After wandering around South Russia, he returned as a worker at the Pravita mine in the Taxiarchi region of Polygyros, Halkidiki. On the nearby Mount Athos he also met Kazantzakis, who lived with Sikelianos in the cells of various monasteries reading Dante, Buddha and the Holy Gospels.

Alexis Zorba’s life was turbulent. He wandered all over the Balkans to become a miner and finally succeeded.

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Εvery detail will be found at the reference point for Alexis Zorbas in Paleochori, where in his house, you will have a digital conversation with him and see all the moments of his carefree life!

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The Metropolitan Church of Saint Stephanos Something unique happens in Arnaia and is related to the holy Metropolitan church of St. Stephen. Ιt is the only church in Greece, that operates normally, serving the needs of the pilgrims, and at the same time is built over important antiquities of priceless historical value, that are visible in their most part. I.e. besides a place of worship it is a place of historical and archaeological interest. But lets take things from the start.

This church, according to an inscripted marble plate emnedded on the wall of its facade, was built in 1812 and honors the memory of St. Stephen, since there was a dependency of the Konstamonitou monastery of Mount Athos, the Catholicon of which is also dedicated to St. Stephen. The temple is a threeaisled basilica with dimensions 41x19,5m. It was burnt from the ground up during the 1821 Revolution, as the whole village did. The residents scattered in the nearby area and returned later in order to rebuild the village and the church, in which they placed a wooden chancel and one of the few in the area wood-carved ornate despotic throne. The one of a kind chancel was a donation from the Konstamonitou monastery and included 70 smaller wooden pictures and 14 silver-coated, larger ones.

THE GREAT FIRE On the night of September 5 of 2005, a great fire broke inside the temple and almost totaly destroyed it. The cause of the fire remains unknown. It is a fact that the fire left only the stone made walls behind. The roof collapsed, and everything inside the temple -such as pictures, books, several artifacts, objects of priceless historical and artistic value, the one of a kind, silver-gold coated wooden chancel, the wood-carved, ornate despotic throne-, turned into ashes. At once, the Ministry of Culture started the huge restoration, via the 10th Ephorate of Byzantine Antiquities, to the jurisdiction of which the temple belongs, with the cooperation of religious and local authorities, and the full support of the residents of Arnaia and the wider area.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL FINDINGS The evidence of three older buildings was found during reconstruction and renovation of the building: a large three-aisled Christian basilica dated around 400, a small, one space byzantine temple of the 10th-11th century and a large rectangular post-byzantine structure without a niche of the 16th-17th century. At the same time, many findings, from the christian era until the Ottoman rule period, saw the light of day (objects made of clay, marble, glass and metal, plasters and murals).

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Apart from these, fifteen tombs were discovered, some of which are dated in the christian era, whereas others are dated in the 16th century B.C. Thus, an important part of the area’s history was discovered due to the recostruction of the burnt building and thanks to the systematic excavations of the 10th Ephorate of Byzantine Antiquities. A historical part that shows the uninterrupted human presence and activity in Arnaia, and specificaly where the temple of St. Stephen exists today.

The protection and maintanance of the findings was next, after the completion of the renovation. At the same time, the archaeological site was configured in order to highlight the buried history of the place. The floor of the renovated temple was made of transparent panels, over which the visitor can stand or walk, while observing the enlightened archaeological site and the findings beneath it.

Info -In 2009, when the work of the 10th Ephorate of Byzantine Antiquities was complete, the uniqueness and the highlighting of the findings resulted in the arrival of large number of visitors of every age and nationality, on daily basis. Visitors arrive alone or in groups, contributing to the touristic development of Arnaia and its wider area.

-The temple of St. Stephen of Arnaia is open for the public every day, from the morning until the afternoon.

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The weaving Museum of Arnea The entire weaving history, the art and the tradition of Arnea will “parade” in front of you as you visit the Museum of Weaving, in the traditional building, recently restored so as to accommodate the lifestyle of former generations.

Indeed, the history of handmade carpets in Arnea is lost over the time: patterns classic geometrical, such as the “krikela”, the “Scissor Sun”, and other techniques, which are recorded at the rest of Macedonia and Thrace, such as also “thilota” and the “nail”, where all dominate in the colourful exhibition rooms. Thus, what dominate are the calligraphic carpets of Arnea, which were and still are used to decorate the walls.

In most of them you will see the date that they were made and the name of the weaver who created the carpet. The subjects come from patterns used embroidery, and are influenced by the neoclassicism, depicting “The Chariot of Eos”, “The dance of the muses” but also: •historical subjects from modern Greece as the “Dance of Zaloggos” and the •daily life as “the shepherd”.

The exhibition is being developed in two levels: 1. On the ground floor where you see the process of raw materials, such as the wool which becomes yarn. Also tools related to the process preparing the yarn and carpets of bigger size.

2. On the first floor are presented the calligraphic carpets and other textiles 3. Finally, the visitor has the opportunity to see a room “dressed” with the traditional way of Arnea.

The exhibition also has audio-visual material!

We do suggest you to visit this exhibition.

Entrance is free and the experience you collect is simply amazing!

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The folklore museum of Arnea

A world coming out from a different era, where everything was so simple - simple but so beautiful. People’s tools, for the mountain and the plains, all the fortune and the efforts of a lifetime, “trapped” with their moments in the renovated stone-built “Archontiko Giatrou”, the famous “Giatradiko”.

Somewhere there is set up and the famous loom of Arnea, the one that created the famous carpets- unique samples of folklore art- and the weavers as well, women born to be real laborers and creators.

Open from 10:00 until 18:00 Ticket: 2€

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The cultural center of Ierissos

It is the unique center in the whole Macedonia that projects 3d movies.

It is housed in an impressive building in the center of Ierissos, since 2004.

It was approved by the European Investment Bank as a center for the promotion of the Athonite heritage and the promotion of the Mount Athos area with the use of modern technology.

Of special interest is the movie that shown and presents scenes from the monks’ life in Mount Athos, making the visitors (specially women that are not allowed to entry the monastic state) to feel that walk on the cobble-stoned yards, to be guided in the libraries, admiring the treasures, watching the Divine Liturgy.

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The 3D “travelogue to Mount Athos” is available in greek, english, german, russian and bulgarian language.

Do not miss to visit and watch this movie: it is a unique one!

Tickets: adults 6€, children 5€, groups 4€ 39

EASTERN HALKIDIKI

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ARISTOTELES MUNICIPALITY 63075 IERISSOS HALKIDIKI / GREECE Tel: +30 2377350003 E-mail address: info@dimosaristoteli.gr http://www.dimosaristoteli.gr/en/