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Afitos village

Afitos is one of the oldest villages in Kassandra peninsula, with long history. Built on a cliff, it offers a wonderful view to Toroneos gulf and looks like an Agean island. Afitos is a picturesque village, full of cobblestone streets, traditional houses built from limestone and colorful flowers. In Afitos you can find excellent taverns and bars (some with great view), and taste delicious traditional recipes and drinks.

In the traditional settlement of Afitos the most distinctive houses are Galani, Katsani and Papavasileiou. In the central square of the village stands Agios Dimitrios church with the dome, build from limestone in 1858. Near the church the folklore museum is located, in Aletra building. Churches "Agios Georgios" (1867), "Koimisis tis Theotokou" (1885), "Agios Athanasios" and "Agios Nikolaos" (in Liosi) are also worth visiting. Other sights one must visit are Afitos' archaeological area, ancient quarries, Vrisitsa and Moudounou springs. The ancient quarry is located on the eastern side of the settlement, where you can see the intersections on the rocks for exporting large rectangular volumes.

Afitos is well known for its sandy coasts that are discontinued by small sea rocks coming out of the water. The waters are crystal clear and combined with the rocks form a magnificent exotic scenery. The sea also forms some important biotopes for many fish that spawn here. The most known beaches are: Varkes, Liosi, Moudounou, Afitis, Aristotelis, Valopetres, Pounta, Dafni.

History

Afitos traditional settlement has a history that starts from at least 3000 BC. Its name comes from the ancient name "Afitis", which means "full of plants". The cliff on which Afitos was built protected the village from sea intruders. Afitos thrived and minded its own currency during ancient and classic years. Ammon Zeus and Dionysus sanctuary, which today belong to Kallithea area, contributed in spreading Afitos' fame. According to several sources and due to some ancient findings it is believed that Afitos survived until romaic era.

According to Herodotus, during the Persian wars (5th century B.C.) Afitos was forced to aid Xerxis, the king of Persians, by giving him army and ships, like other towns of Halkidiki. But after the battle of Plataea it renegaded from Persians and joined the Athenean league. Due to its alliance with the Athenian league, during the Peloponesean war the village was beleaguered by the Spartans' general, Lysander. According to Pausanias, the siege was over after a dream Lysander had, about Ammon Zeus, Afitos' protector, who was telling him to unfasten the siege. It is considered that Afitos was destroyed in 348 B.C. by the king of Macedonians, Philip II, like many other towns on Halkidiki.

For the next centuries there are no data about Afitos' history. During Greek revolution of 1821 many of its villagers played important roles as fighters and many lost their lives. The citizens who survived were spread to many different areas, like Mount Athos, Skiathos and Skopelos. The stone houses that are saved till today were built during the second half of 19th century and they have a characteristic architecture, with inscriptions and reliefs. Archaeological findings, like pottery and jewels were found in the village 's ancient cemetery, inside sarcophagi.


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