MEETINGREECE
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MACEDONIA - THRACE
the crossroad between two continents, Europe and Asia and the
economic centre for all the Balkan nations. The city flourished
during the days of the Byzantine Empire and marks that era with
a wealth of monuments.
The Bride of Thermaikos Gulf – as many refer to Thessaloniki - is
divided into the Upper town (Ano Poli), which is what remains
from Ottoman Thessaloniki and the Modern town, which was fully
redesigned and reconstructed on a grid system after being
destroyed by fire in 1917.
Thessaloniki’s saint-patron is Aghios Dimitrios, who suffered
martyrdom for his Christian faith, and his church considered to be
the most important church in the entire city. Lying above the
remains of the agora and the Roman Forum, the church has three
side-chapels, a museum, and underground catacombs that also
include Aghios Dimitrios imprisonment chamber. The city lies in a
transitional climatic zone, so its climate displays characteristics of
continental and Mediterranean climates. Winters are relatively dry,
with common morning frost. Snowfalls occur almost every year,
but usually the snow does not stay for more than a few days. On
the other hand, Thessaloniki’s summers are hot with rather humid
nights. Rain is seldom in summer, and mainly falls during
thunderstorms.
CHA L K I D I K I : SUN , S E A , H I S TOR Y AND RE L I G I ON
Chalkidiki is a peninsula located in northern Greece; southeast
from Thessaloniki, having a unique characteristic shape with
three peninsulas (also known as fingers or legs) to the south.
The three peninsulas are Kassandra, Sithonia and Athos and
each one has its own unique history and character. Chalkidiki
combines golden sandy beaches, with crystal-like sea and half-
mountainous ground. The Mediterranean climate, unrivalled
natural beauty of sea and sun in all the traditional villages,
historical value along with the modern resort capacities, attract
more and more tourists every year.
Chalkidiki can meet every visitor’s needs; from families to
couples, from swimming, to nature and gastronomy. The history
of the area is rich and its roots date back thousands of years.
Olynthos, Akanthos, Afytos and Potidea were powerful ancient
cities with celebrated walls. Petralona, the cave of stunning
natural beauty, sheltered Archanthropos of Petralona, who lived
250,000
years ago.
The two of the three peninsulas of Chalkidiki, Kassandra - named
after the Macedonian king Kassandros (brother-in-law of
Alexander the Great) - and Sithonia (named after the son of
Poseidon, the ancient Greek god of the sea) attract many tourists
at their beautiful hotels. The third peninsula, Mount Athos, is the
ark of Orthodoxy and monasticism.
The visitors of Mount Athos, only men, have the opportunity to
see unique icons and church treasures. Many travel agencies
offer cruises along the coastline of the Holy Mountain, so that
both sexes can admire the beauty, the mystery and the
sacredness of this magnificent place.
T HRACE : S T RONG REG I ONA L I DEN T I T Y
The history of the Thracians (the people who live in Thrace),
started in the early bronze age when archaeology shows there
was a change in culture due to people reallocations. It is believed
that the Thracian troops were known for accompanying Alexander
the Great, when he crossed the Hellespont which abuts Thrace,
and took on the Persian Empire of the day. By the time the
Roman Empire began to tremble (in the mid 5th century), Thrace
fell from the authority of Rome into the hands of Germany. It was
when Rome fell, that Thrace became a battleground territory for
1.000
years. In the beginning of the 9th century, Thrace was
incorporated into Bulgaria. In 972, the Byzantine Empire,
regained Thrace and lost it again from the Bulgarians at the end
of the 12th century.
Throughout the 13th century and the first half of the 14th century,
the region swayed among Bulgaria and Byzantium. In 1352, the
Ottomans invaded in Thrace and the region was under their
occupation for five centuries. In 1878, with the Congress of Berlin,
Northern Thrace was incorporated into the semi-autonomous
Ottoman province of Eastern Rumelia, which in 1885 was united
with Bulgaria. In the beginning of the 20th, the remaining area of
Thrace was divided between Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey. Today
Thracian is a strong regional identity in Greece, Turkey, Bulgaria
and other neighboring countries.
According to the Greek mythology Orpheus, the chief among
poets and musicians, and the perfector of the lyre invented by
Hermes, was from Thrace. Amongst the various historical figures
from Thrace, distinguished members are the Greek philosopher
and mathematician Democritos, with his main contribution of the
atomic theory and the Greek philosopher Protagoras, known as
the first sophist. Also the auxiliary soldier in the Roman army,
Spartacus was from Thrace. Entering Thrace, a traveller can visit
many different sites. There are interesting Neolithic findings,
antiquities dating back to the Hellenistic era, as well as Roman
and Byzantine monuments. Thrace is characterised as the place
where East meets West due to the fact that both cultures have
influenced the region and transformed it to a unique destination.
