Constructed in 1864, this historical landmark lighthouse was originally located on the water’s edge. However, over time, the sea’s constant movements have left behind a wide expanse of sandy shoreline.

Exquisite in its colonial-style design, the lighthouse still fulfils its original function today, its ageless beauty matched by a quaint garden full of flowers.

The name “Mendi” is deeply ingrained in this place, carrying on the tradition of a bygone period. Place names from Mendi’s realm still exist; one such beach is Posidio, which is an Ionic variant of Posidonion; Thucydides wrote about it in the fifth century BC.

For those who are interested in history, the temple of Poseidon is located about four kilometres to the west. It is positioned boldly on a narrow strip of ground close to the sea.

A voyage through time is in store for those who go into this alluring seaside region.

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It is possible to see the Virgin Mary symbol painted on the base of a statue in the chapel’s nave.

According Greek folklore, the symbol travelled by water to Halkidiki from Thessaly before landing there.

In the chapel, you may learn about the icon’s origins and why it is regarded miraculous by reading the tale of the image.

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It’s composed of stone, stands 28 metres tall, and is the only one that has survived all the way to the crenellations.

It is said to have been erected in 1407 on a prehistoric location to safeguard St. Paul’s Monastery’s monastic metochion. It was set on fire in 1821, but the roof was rebuilt in 1976. ​

The east and south wings of the metochion, as well as a tiny temple dated 1868, are all ruins around the tower. T

Emmanouil Papas, the commander of the Greek War of Independence in Halkidiki, had his headquarters in his tower in 1821.

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You’ll be enchanted by the beautiful stalactites and stalagmites, and you’ll be able to observe the remains of Europe’s oldest stalactites and stalagmites, which date back 700,000 years.

The cave is one of the most important prehistoric monuments.

The cave was found by chance in 1959 by Fillipos Chatzaridis, a local shepherd hunting for a spring, and it became famous in 1960 when another local uncovered the Petralonian Archanthopus head, a 670,000-year-old early hominid.

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The ship was forced to anchor near the current monastery of Iviron when it was blown to the Athos peninsula.

The Virgin stepped ashore, impressed by the mountain’s beautiful and untamed natural beauty, and blessed it, asking her Son to make it her garden. “Let this region be your heritage and garden, a paradise and a refuge of redemption for people seeking salvation,” a voice said.

The mountain Mount Athis was thereafter designated as the garden of the Virgin Mary, or Mother of God (Perivoli tis Panagias), and all other women were forbidden from entering.

There are extremely few historical sources about the ancient history of Mount Athos. Monks are known to have lived in the area from the 4th century.

During that time, both Christians and pagans lived there. Many monks from the Egyptian desert attempted to find a new home after the Islamic conquest of Egypt in the 7th century, and some of them ended up on the Athos peninsula. The Great Vigla, erected by John Kolovos in 866, was the first monastic complex. Royal golden bulls consolidated this monastery (decrees). Mount Athos has since become a centre for monastic life.

You can view Mount Athos from sea with daily cruises from Ormos Panagias or Ouranoupoli.

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The Dionysus Sanctuary was created in the second half of the eighth century B.C. by Euboean, who resided in Afitis, and was worshipped with the Nymphs in the cave beneath the rock on the site’s southwest side.

The Egyptian deity Zeus Ammon’s sanctuary was erected on a tiny plateau on the site’s northern side. ​

An altar was built in the late 5th century B.C., but a peripteros temple of the Doric order with stone entablature (superstructure) was built adjacent to it in the second half of the 4th century.

It was replaced with a marble one in the late third or early second century, with embossed and coloured clay tiles on the roof.

Based on the architectural pieces that have been discovered, it is conceivable to restore its design.​​

During the Roman time (1st-2nd c. A.D.), the sanctuary was renovated, and the material was used to construct two terraced buildings (stands) on its short south side, with a new little altar placed between them. The devotees would take part in the ceremonies there.

According to the discoveries, the temple’s Roman phase continued until the time of Constantine the Great’s descendants, when it was totally demolished.

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It is a freshwater lake with a size of 2,200 m2 and is positioned 300 metres above sea level.

Geological landslides formed the lake.

Its tranquil water provides a haven for two uncommon water turtle species from the families “Emydidae,” “emys orbicularis,” and “Mauremys caspica.”

The number of individuals in each of these species has grown in recent years, which bodes well for their future.

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