Athitos of the Antiquity, of Architecture, of Hospitality, of Painter Paralis…

Lagaria Hotel has chosen the colorful Afitos with the wonderful view of the Kassandra bay to accommodate you in the newly built complex. Afitos is considered the “jewel” of Halkidiki and is famous for its natural beauty, the wonderful beaches and the cosmopolitan life. Afitos (of Athitos) is an ideal destination in Greece for those who seek for pleasant and relaxing holidays.

Today Athitos is considered the most remarkable village in Halkidiki as far as architecture is concerned. The masterful use of porous stone in the reconstruction of Afitos by the previous century’s craftsmen, gave us some of the most typical examples of Modern Greek architecture.

The area is full of historical memories, which are lost through the time and Afitos is commemorated by many ancient writers among who are Herodotus, Thucydides, Xenophon, Aristotle, Pausanias and Strabo.

Been well-known for the admirable sanctuary of Dionysus and for the (contiguous) astonishing temple of Ammon Zeus, who was also patron of the town, Afitos excelled both through the Archaic and the Classical period of Ancient Greece.

Through the Greek Revolution in 1821, people of Afitos (who fulfilled their duty to homeland) left their village and returned in 1827 to bring glamour back to afitos. For the lovers of Fine Arts, Afitos is connected with the painter George Paralis.

Around 1850 the village is reconstructed and expanded. In 1859 Agios Dimitrios Church is built, which is even today the most brilliant building of the village (it is the only domed basilica temple in Halkidiki). Special place among other unique samples of architecture of the 19^th century have the mansions of Katsanis (1860), Papavasiliou (1864), Galanis (1976), Aletras (1889), and Athanasiadis (1898). It is worth to walk on the village’s streets and notice the architectural details in the old houses that were saved. It is also worth to visit Katsanis’ house, painter Paralis’ house and musician Mantakas’ house (in Moudounou). Moreover, don’t forget to visit the ancient quarry and to seek for wild lily at the seashore (in September). As for the name Afitos or Athitos, it is still a mystery. Nobody can give an explanation…