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Excursions
Around Thessaloniki
In the vicinity of the city there are some inviting prospects, as
the wood of Seich-Su, the village and the mount Chortiatis
and the Thermaic gulf with the fishing villages and popular beaches, Aretsou (Nea Krini), Perea, Nei Epivates,
Aghia
Triada, Nea Michaniona, Epanomi
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Vergina,
the first capital of
ancient Macedonia, Aigai, (7th century
B.C.). Extensive excavations
brought to light the Citadel, the Palace
and the Theatre where in 336 B.C.
King Philip II was assassinated and
Alexander the Great was declared
King. Among the most important finds are
the tombs of King Philip and his wife
and two solid gold urns, golden wreaths,
silver vessels etc. |
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Dion, a
sacred location for the ancient
Macedonians at the foot of Mt. Olympos.
Two theatres, the temples of the gods,
the remains of the ancient city, a
stadium and the museum stretch out in an
area full of greenery.
Pella, birthplace of Alexander
the Great, was founded during the
reign of Archaelaos (4th century B.C.)became the second capital of the Kingdom
of Macedonia. Zeuxis the greatest artist
of its time has decorated. the palace.
Mosaic floors of exceptional quality are
on display in the museum of Pella. |
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Mount Olympos (2917m high), the
mythical mountain-residence of gods.
Here, climbers are challenged by hard
climbing conditions, while walkers cross
the National Park which is surrounded by
natural beauty, unique flora and fauna,
rare predators, indigenous plants and
wild flowers.
Meteora, is a stone forest of
enormous rocks near the small village
Kalampaka. Bold monks built in 14th
Century 24 monasteries at the peaks of
these rocks. They have lived there as
hermits for more than 600 years. They
used nets for ascending and descending.
Today six monasteries survive and they
are accessible by road.
Mountainous Macedonia near Thessaloniki
has interesting places for winter
activities. Tria Pente Pigadia, Seli,
Kaimaktsalan and others offer a
unique delight for tourists.
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Halkidiki, consists of three
peninsulas, Kassandra, Sithonia and
Athos. Crystalline waters, beautiful
beaches with golden sand, magnificent
landscape with olive groves, pine
forests and picturesque villages, luxury
hotel complexes or smaller hotels,
campsites, tavernas and historical
places (Potidea, Olinthos, Stagira etc)
Mount Athos (Agion Oros), the
State of monasteries in Halkidiki, shows
a history of at least a thousand years.
It consists of twenty imposing
monasteries along the peninsula. It’s
inhabited only by monks.
Byzantine icons, thousands of
manuscripts, codified laws bearing the
golden seals, rare religious
publications and numerous decorations in
gold, precious stones and jewels are the
fabulous treasures of Mount Athos.
Mount Athos is accessible only to men
provided with special permission but all
visitors of both sexes are allowed to
have an one day cruise and admire many
of the monasteries which are situated by
the sea.
Petralona, in Halkidiki is a very
important with paleontological interest
cave, because here was discovered the
earliest skull in Greece (about 200.000
years old) denoting affinities with both
Homo erectus and the Neanderthals. There
is also evidence of the first use of
fire. The cave is also adorned with
wonderful stalactites and stalagmites.
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