Athitos of painters, Athitos of people who love and take care. Athitos, the third largest village on the isthmus of Potidaea, lies in the same area since 3,000 BC. The typical position with the endless view Toroneos bay, the architecture of the houses, the benevolent and sometimes “archaic” inhabitants make it a separate village in the region. The ancient Afitos was an important city of Pallini and is mentioned by ancient writers such as Herodotus, Thucydides, Xenophon, Aristotle, Pausanias, Strabo, etc. The sanctuary of Dionysus (8th century BC) and the temple of Ammon Zeus (4th century BC) contributed substantially to consolidate its reputation in antiquity. The Afytis was prosperous city during the ancient and classical times. It minted its own coins, which bore the head of Zeus Ammon patron. During the revolution of 1821 was very much present with activists and victims. After the turmoil the villagers scattered in safer areas. Around 1827, the return of fugitives, Afitos is for many years the village of Kassandra. ‘Strong building activity since the mid 19th century. In 1859 he built the Saint Demetrius, three-aisled basilica with a dome, the jewel of the village in the center of the square. The visitor should observe the unique architecture of the church, the old images and reliefs on the exterior of the south wall. It also walk around the big chapels that followed as St George (1867), the Assumption (1885), St. Athanasius and St. Nicholas (Liosi). Interesting are also the characteristic old stone houses with inscriptions and reliefs of (1860 Katsanis, 1864 Papavassiliou, 1876 Galani, 1889 plows, etc. Athanasiadis 1898). At home the plow, the main square, it works in our folklore museum. From the square, the road leads to the Rock, the balcony of the village, where the visitor gazes Toroneos, Sithonia and Kassandra to the tip. Then, the visitor ascends to Koutsomilos, the windy citadel of Afitos with its panoramic views. A tour to the springs and Vrysitsa Moudounou is not without significance. The most important landmark, caused wonder and awe in the visitor, is the traditional village of Afitos with a history that goes back 28 centuries of life. The residents of the community, denying the anarchic development of tourism, which in recent years has altered the place and having the aim to preserve their cultural heritage, tried to show through the village culture. The old houses of porous stone have been renovated, the streets paved and the site now requires visitors and locals, beauty, dignity and respect. In the field that stretches Athitos, seen from the prehistoric settlements identified in the present village, was continuous human settlement from 3000 BC about. This is associated with the entire Halkidiki, where, until the Archaic period, we have movement of various Thracian and Pelasgian tribes. From the 8th century onwards we have in installing colonists from Euboea. Chalcis and Eretria created a substantial number of small colonies throughout the region of Halkidiki. This movement of populations lasted until the 6th century. In this period should be put and the establishment of Athitos. The causes of the founding of the ancient city to be found in natural ochyrotita place, very important factor for establishing a colony. The crag on the side of the sea protected it from sea attacks. Also the small lake that existed until 1963 and was located near the sea, was a small bay and a natural harbor suitable for mooring ships. The ancient city of Byzantium says Stephen with the names: Afitos, Afitos, Afitos. The name Athitos that prevailed in recent years, is a linguistic phenomenon while Stephen Byzantium the name comes from “in any way Afitos domestic.” The Sanctuary of Dionysos, associated in time with the installation of Evia and the development of Afytis, first mentioned in “Greek” of Xenophon. In 381 BC King of the Lacedaemonians besieged Agisipolis Toroni. During the siege suffered serious burns and asked to be transferred to the sanctuary of Dionysus, which was in a “shady relics” in an environment with a “brilliant and cold water.” Here, according to Xenophon, the Agisipolis after one weeks after he died and was put in jar full of honey, took him home for a formal burial. Aristotle mentions the “agricultural law” of Afytaion, which is a special, unique and interesting chapter in the history of ancient Greek ¬ financial affairs. Afitos is currently sufficient in rented rooms, hotels, taverns and restaurants with good, clean food, cafes and bars. Visitors enjoy the cobbled streets of Athitos, following Elytis in the Aegean and the journey can lousthei Athytiotiki in blue sea, the boats in Punta at Liosi in Daphne. The numerous cultural events during the summer, organized by residents Athytiotes with care and responsibility, make Athitos key reference point for the visitor of Halkidiki.
Athitos (Afitos)
