Thessaloniki_EN

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DAY EXCURSIONS
a neolithic settlement which
is considered to have been
the largest in the Hellenic
area, a cemetery, two early-
Christian basilicas (4 th and
6 th c.) and a 10 th c. basilica
with remarkable mosaics and
murals.
How to get there.
Dion is situated 87 km SW
of Thessaloniki. Follow the
national road to Athens and
then the signs to Katerini and
Dion. Alternatively, take the
coach to Katerini (Pieria district)
and then the local bus to Dion.
4 PETRALONA CAVE
It was discovered in 1959,
by accident, in the western
part of Halkidiki. It is 1,500
m. long (a 400 m. section is
open to visitors); the chambers,
the stalagtite and stalagmite
formations within are very
interesting. The location
became universally known
when an array of prehistoric
items was found in the interior
(fossil tree leaves, bones of
rhinos, elephants, equids,
hyaenas etc), as well as
vestiges of human activity such
as traces of fire, stone tools
and so on. However, the most
important find is the skull of a
woman who is approximately
200,000-400,000 years old
and is classed as a type in
between Homo Erectus and
Homo Sapiens, according
to palaeoanthopologist A.
Poulianos. Such evidence
makes this cave one of the
oldest archaeological sites in
Europe. Findings from the cave
(tools, animal bones etc) are
on display at the Museum
and so are a cast of the skull
(the original is kept at the
Geology-Palaeontology Museum
of the Aristotle University
of Thessaloniki, see p. 38) and
a reconstruction of the place
it was found.
4.1 Halkidiki (also
Chalcidice or Chalkidiki) –
Agio Oros [Holy Mount].
Homeland of Aristotle,
the ancient Greek philosopher,
Halkidiki is one of the best
and most popular tourist
destinations in Greece with
an important history, bustling
tourist resorts, traditional
villages, enchanting beaches,
verdant mountains and an
intense night life. Located
south of Thessaloniki,
Halkidiki ends in the three
leg-shaped peninsulas named
Kassandra, Sithonia and
Athos. Thessalonians swarm
in Kassandra and Sithonia for
a day trip (it’s only a short
distance from the city) or
for a longer one; quite a few
own country houses there. In
the Athos peninsula amidst
a beautiful and pristine
natural environment lies the
globally known monastic
state of Mount Athos which
encompasses 20 -presently
inhabited- monasteries
(10 th – 14 th c.), sketes [small
monastic settlements] and
cells for monks. UNESCO has
included the ‘Holy Mount’ in its
World Heritage Monument List
in 1988, on grounds of the
outstanding architecture and
the priceless cultural treasures
of the monastic community.
How to get there.
Petralona Cave is situated
53 km SE of Thessaloniki. Take
the coach to Halkidiki, get
off at Nea Kallikrateia Village
stop and then take a taxi to
the cave (approx. a 10-km
journey). If you travel by car,
go along the Thessaloniki-
Halkidiki national road and
then follow the signs to
Petralona village and the cave.
5 LAKES AREA
Northeast of Thessaloniki, in
the direction of Strymonas
(also Strymonian) gulf
stretches a 200,000 hectarearea
around Lakes Koroneia
and Volvi; the place is a
National Park. It is a rare
group of ecosystems with wet
forests and meadows, rivers
and shrubland, and the ideal
place for outdoor activities
(horse-riding, mountain biking,
birdwatching, agritourism
and so on); the Agency for
the Management of Lakes
Koroneia and Volvi (www.
foreaskv.gr) runs tours in
the area. Make sure you try
some of the local delicacies,
including lake fish dishes.
MUST SEE:
5.1 Lagadas.
This picturesque town
is situated 20 km NE of
Thessaloniki and has been
known for keeping the custom
of fire-walking (anastenaria)
on May 21 st . The ultra modern
Spa facilities of the area also
include two Byzantine bathtubs
(10 th and 15 th c.) and they
are located two km E amid
lush greenery. The sulphur
springs (water temperature:
39.2 ο C) are recommended
for treating neuropathy,
rheumatism, arthritis, skin and
gynaecological diseases.
DAY EXCURSIONS
93
110 111
110.
One of
Halkidiki’s
numerous
lovely beaches.
111.
Mount
Athos: Agios
Panteleimonas
Monastery.