SANCTUARY OF AMMON ZEUS AND DIONYSUS

One of the most important temples discovered in Halkidiki is that of Ammon Zeus. At this site on the Kassandra peninsula, during the second half of the 8th century BC, the Euboean settlers of the city of Afytis founded a sanctuary of Dionysus, who was worshipped together with the Nymphs in the cave beneath the rock on the southwestern slope of the area.

On the flat surface, in the northern part of the site, a sanctuary dedicated to the Egyptian-origin god Ammon Zeus was established towards the end of the 5th century BC. Initially, towards the end of the 5th century BC, a built altar was constructed, but later, in the second half of the 4th century BC, a peripteral Doric temple with a stone entablature was built next to the altar.

This was later replaced by a marble one at the end of the 3rd or the beginning of the 2nd century BC. Its roof was decorated with clay roof tiles, embossed and painted. Its architectural restoration is possible thanks to the scattered architectural members that were found.

In Roman times (1st–2nd century AD), the temple was modified, and with its materials two stepped structures were built on its narrow southern side, while between them, on top of the earlier altar, another small altar was constructed. In this open-air area, the faithful probably sat and watched ritual performances.

As the finds indicate, the Roman phase of the temple lasted until the time of the successors of Constantine the Great, when it must have been finally destroyed. A section of an Early Christian bath excavated at the northern edge of the site may be connected with the continuation of worship during the first Christian centuries, and later during the Middle Byzantine period.

ANCIENT MENDE

Ancient Mende, which flourished economically due to the export of the famous Mendaean wine, was one of the colonies founded by Eretria on the peninsula of Pallene in the 8th century BC. The main archaeological site, measuring 1200 x 600 m, is located on the flat plateau and slopes of a pine-covered hill that gently descends to the sea.

On the acropolis, or Vigla, which extends over the highest southeastern point of the hill, underground storage areas with pottery from the 12th to the 7th century BC were uncovered. On the plateau, also known as Xefoto, a trial trench revealed part of the fortification wall of the classical city.

In the “Suburb,” mentioned by Thucydides, which occupies the coastal area of the ancient city outside the walls, successive habitation phases from the 9th to the 4th century BC were investigated. In the coastal cemetery, found on the beach of the Mendi Hotel, a total of 241 burials were excavated, mostly of infants and young children placed in large vessels, dating from the late 8th to the early 6th century BC.

The vessels were mainly painted, with floral and geometric decoration, or incised, and are characteristic examples of the ceramic style of Halkidiki.

TOWER OF NEA FOKAIA OR ST. PAUL

The landmark of the village, this Byzantine tower stands impressively on the hill to the right of the port of Nea Fokaia. It is built of stone, 28 m high, and is the only one preserved up to its battlements. It is believed to have been built in 1407 on the site of a prehistoric settlement, to protect the dependency of the Monastery of St. Paul.

It was burned in 1821, and in 1976 its roof was reconstructed. Around the tower survive ruined sections of the eastern and southern wings of the dependency, as well as a small chapel dating to 1868. In 1821, the tower served as the headquarters of Emmanouel Pappas, leader of the revolution in Halkidiki.

SANI TOWER

Sani Tower, also known as Stavronikita Tower, stands on the hill of the Sani hotel, where the acropolis of ancient Sani likely once stood, a city founded by settlers from Eretria and one of the most prosperous cities of Halkidiki until Roman times. The wider area is mentioned with the toponym “Pyrgos” from 1346.

The area was a dependency of the Stavronikita Monastery. The tower was built in 1543 to protect the dependency, stands 8 m high, and survives today in very good condition.

ROMAN FARMHOUSE

On the beach of Megali Kypsa, a Roman-period farmhouse with mosaic floors and many marble architectural members was discovered near the sea in 1972. Later, an Early Christian church was built at the site, which according to archaeologists showed impressive similarities to the architecture of Roman-period buildings.

EARLY CHRISTIAN BASILICA OF SOLINA

A few kilometres outside Kallithea, at the site of Solina, stands the Early Christian church of Solina, dating to the 5th century AD. It is noteworthy that the central subject of its mosaics, a pair of deer within a paradisiacal landscape, appears in the Basilica of Solina.

Archaeological excavation also brought to light the cross-shaped baptistery attached to the church’s narthex, as well as graves with clay vessels. The central nave is occupied by an earlier 13th-century building, which appears to have been a tower.

TEMPLE OF POSEIDON

The oldest sanctuary of Poseidon is located at Possidi, in the area known in antiquity as ancient Mende. The temple functioned for more than 1,000 years, and there are references to it even by Thucydides and in Athonite documents of the 14th century. It was probably built by the Eretrians, who colonised Mende and had Poseidon as their protector.

Excavations brought to light four large buildings: the main temple, two buildings on either side of it, and an apsidal structure on its eastern side. The latter, which is the earliest, dates to the Protogeometric period (11th–10th century BC). Its floor is made of clay, and its walls are built with large pebbles.

HARBOUR OF ANCIENT SKIONI

Ancient Skioni is located at the site known as “Mytikas,” between Nea Skioni and Agios Nikolaos. It is an extremely inaccessible hill rising above the sea. Access from the south is not possible, as the side facing the sea is steep and rocky.

The ancient city was built on the hill overlooking the sea, while the hill to the north is identified with the fortified hill mentioned by Thucydides in front of the city. The city appears to have been strongly fortified, since the Athenians besieged it for two years. In the early 20th century, a few remains of a tower on the hill were still visible from its fortifications. This point is also identified as the acropolis of the ancient city.

On a coin of ancient Skioni (around 500 BC), the Homeric hero Protesilaos is depicted, who is also mentioned as the founder of the city. The harbour of Skioni was important and contributed greatly to its prosperity. In the 5th century BC, Skioni became a member of the Athenian Alliance, but during the Peloponnesian War it sided with the Spartans.

Skioni paid dearly for this defection, as the Athenians captured the city, slaughtered or enslaved its inhabitants, and settled there the Plataeans, who had been forced to abandon their homeland.