History

Chalkidiki has a rich history and mythology with roots that stretches back to the ancient times. The peninsula of Chalkidiki is often mentioned in ancient Greek mythology. It was the birthplace of the Giants and it became a battlefield,when they tried to expel the Gods from Mt Olympus. It was inhabited approximately 700,000 years ago, as revealed by the findings from the prehistoric area of Petralona. The scull of a primitive man that was found here, is estimated to be more than 200,000 years old. Settlements in Chalkidiki date since 4000 BC. Its oldest inhabitants were Thracians and Pelasgians.
In the 8th century B.C., a large number of colonists arrived in the area from the Greek cities of Chalkis (hence the name Chalkidiki) and Eretria. In the 5th century B.C., its major cities were: Potidaia, Sani, Siggos, Akanthos, Anthemous and Stageira. At the end of the 5th century, 32 cities of Chalkidiki were united, under the leadership of Olynthus, and formed the “Chalkidean League”.In 348 B.C., Philippos the II, King of Macedonia, incorporated this area in the Macedonian Kingdom.The founding of Thessaloniki in 315 BC, by Kassandros, king of Macedonia, had a catalytic effect on the development of Chalkidiki. As Kassandreia, important city of the antiquity, also founded by Kassandros in the same period, gradually lost importance and finally disappeared,Chalkidiki lost the economic and social self-sufficiency of former times. During the Hellenistic times, apart from Kassandreia, two major cities were founded: Ouranoupolis and Antigoneia. In 168 BC, Chalkidiki fell into the Roman hands and declined. During the Byzantine era, it was often loothed by the Goths, the Huns and the Catalans.After the 9th century the largest part of the peninsula became the possession of the monasteries of Athos. Despite this, Thessaloniki continued to be the only large city with which Chalkidiki had bonds, and served as its administrative, ecclesiastical and military centre. In 1430 it was conquered by the Turks and soon it became one of the most important centres of the Ottoman Empire, while Mount Athos (Agion Oros) enjoyed special privileges at the time,being completely autonomous.In May of 1821 the population revolted against the Turks; the uprising was successful, but as a consequence many villages were completely obliterated. Freedom was finally achieved in 1912.

Geography

Chalkidiki is the largest geographical region of Greece.In the North, it shares borders with the prefecture of Thessaloniki, the country’s second largest city. The prefecture of Chalkidiki covers an area of 2,945 sq. km. Due to the area’s geomorphology, Chalkidiki has the longest stretch of the coastline,estimated to be more than 500km of sandy beaches and bays.To the north of the coastal area,the country becomes mountainous. In the centre of the prefecture lies Mount Holomodas and in the east, Mount Athos.The rivers of the prefecture are very few and those that exist are torrents.According to latest statistical data, Chalkidiki has a population of about 110,000 inhabitants. The whole region is heavily wooded with pine,oak and olive trees, while inland there are vineyards and fertile farmlands.