Athos is the third peninsula of Halkidiki`s.
Athos in Greek mythology, was one of the Gigantes. He is best known for the creation of Mount Athos, a mountain and peninsula in northern Greece. Mount Athos -commonly known as the Holy Mountain- is the spiritual capital of the Orthodox Christian world, consisting of 20 monasteries and more than 2.000 resident monks.
There are two versions of the creation myth of the mountain. In one version, Athos throws a mountain at Poseidon but misses. It is said that "Athos got away and the rock he was about to throw at the god slipped through his fingers". Poseidon then threw it back at him, thus creating Mount Athos. In the other version, Poseidon throws a rock at Athos, creating the mountain.
The Gate of Mount Athos is Ouranoupoli. The visitors are welcomed by the Tower of Andronikos, the “alert protector” of the city for centuries, built in 1344 by the monastery Vatopediou as a protection from the pirates. In front of the tower lies the port, the gate of Mount Athos, where either the ferry boats travel to the monasteries or cruise around the peninsula at a distance of 500m from the beach.
Visit Ammouliani, the island of just 4.5 square kilometers combines the clean crystal beaches and dense vegetation.
Visit Ouranoupoli, a pleasant, friendly place with a lively center and some excellent tavernas, hotels and guesthouses.
Visit Nea Roda, a modern village where fishing, tourism and agriculture are the people’s main occupations.
Visit Ierissos, the village which from the 10th century onwards, it's history is indissolubly linked with that of Mount Athos.
Visit Ierissos, the village which from the 10th century onwards, it's history is indissolubly linked with that of Mount Athos.
