Northern Greece: description, places of interest, hotels, sights, photos

2024 Author: Harold Hamphrey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:06

Northern Greece is the most visited part of the country. Millions of tourists from all over the world come here every year to see the magnificent scenery. There is a sea, mountains, as well as beautiful sights. This area is definitely worth a visit.

History

The history of this territory has more than four thousand years. This fact is known from archaeologists and researchers who have studied all parts of this country for a long time. Once Neanderthals lived here in the Petralon cave.

In the cities of northern Greece, history literally comes to life at almost every turn. This is what attracts tourists. For example, the heritage of ancient northern Greece can be seen in the monuments of the Roman as well as the Byzantine period. In addition, in many cities there are unique buildings of the neoclassical time. Of course, the historical and cultural significance is very great for the state.

As you know, the northern part of Greece has repeatedly stood out among other regions of the state. For example, it is here that the legendary rulerPhilip II began his reign and subjugated the entire territory. It is also worth noting that he was the father of the famous Alexander the Great.

Main attractions

As mentioned above, there are a lot of sights in this part of the country and you can talk about them endlessly. In this article we will try to tell you about the most famous of them.

City of Pella

Legendary archaeological site. It is a significant part of Macedonian history. Once this settlement was the capital of ancient Macedonia. The city was founded at the end of the fifth century BC by King Archelaus. But the fame of the settlement came only during the reign of Philip II, as well as Alexander the Great, which were discussed above. It is worth noting that Alexander the Great managed to significantly expand the territory of the country.

But there were also negative points. In the second century BC, the Macedonians had a hard time due to the onset of the Romans. The army was defeated, and the city itself was completely plundered. And nowadays tourists come here to see what is left of the former greatness. Something is left here, and there is definitely something to get acquainted with. There are wonderful mosaics here, they still adorn the buildings of the city of Pella.

Definitely worth a look at the local museums, which contain a large number of sculptures and ceramics.

Archaeological site in Vergina

Vergina was famous all over the world in connection withthe fact that in the second half of the twentieth century there were rare royal tombs with the remains of Philip II. This discovery was very widely distributed around the world and made a lot of noise. The city has been listed as one of the world's exceptional tourist destinations. In addition, many items from that time period were found in the king's tomb. Almost all of them are exhibited today in the Museum of Thessaloniki. It has archaeological significance. Definitely worth a visit.

Here is also located not only the tomb of Philip II, but also the tombs that belong to the royal house of the Macedonian rulers. In addition, not far from the tomb is the palace of Palatasia. It was erected later than the appearance of these tombs and served as a summer residence for the kings. The most frequent visitor here was Antigonus Gonatas. There is also a theater next to the palace. It is believed that it was here that Philip II was killed in the fourth century BC.

Mount Athos

This mountain is considered a truly unique phenomenon. To briefly describe this place, Mount Athos is a theocratic republic within the Greek state. Athos is a whole peninsula with its own rules, orders, and foundations. This place is considered holy, and it was recognized by the Byzantine emperors.

In 1060, by decree of Constantine Monomakh, a law was passed that it was forbidden for females to enter the territory of the peninsula. The exception is the Virgin Mary. It is interesting that this law is valid in modern times. Heapplies not only to people, but also to representatives of the animal world.

Now there are about twenty monasteries in Athos and about two thousand monks live in them. But in history some time ago forty monasteries were recorded, and forty thousand people lived in the territory.

If someone decides to visit Mount Athos, you must immediately understand that doing this is not quite so simple. First you will need to consult on this issue at the consulate of your country. After that, it is necessary to comply with all the formalities at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the capital of Greece or at the Ministry of Macedonian Affairs. Only after that it will be possible to obtain a document that will give the right to visit Mount Athos. But still, not every ship will dare to take a person with such a permit to this sacred place, so you just have to walk around the peninsula. Of course, this is also interesting.

Waterfalls of Edessa

These waterfalls are called the City of Waters for a reason. After all, this is the only city on the entire planet where waterfalls are located almost near the center of the settlement. The vast park covers an area of one hundred thousand square meters, and is located on the edge of a cliff from which a total of eleven waterfalls flow. The most attractive of them are Karanos and the so-called Double Falls.

In addition, there is a picturesque park. Streams and canals murmur around it. And between the streams grow completely different species of trees. Above the waterfalls there is a beautiful cafe where you can have a cup of coffee inexpensively.coffee.

As scientists suggest, these waterfalls appeared on this place in the fourteenth century, after a powerful earthquake or some other natural disaster passed on the territory. Up to this point, all the waters were collected in the lake, which was located in the western part of the settlement. But at one point, the streams began to erupt so that they formed a certain number of separate waterfalls.

Resorts of northern Greece

This part of the article will discuss a topic that worries many tourists. The great pride of the island in northern Greece is the resort area in Halkidiki. It is located on three long narrow peninsulas. It is here that endless beaches are also well-equipped and picturesque. During the season, they attract more and more people here from different parts of the world. It is about these famous three peninsulas that we will tell you in this part of the article.

Cassandra

Is the most picturesque of all the peninsulas. It is at this place that the history is rooted in the depths of centuries. Coastal villages, white-sand beaches, and excellent hotels have made this place a favorite among tourists.

Sitonia

In translation, this word means "middle finger". The territory is a mountainous area, which is almost completely covered with trees. Here, as well as in Kassandra, sandy beaches. In addition, there are picturesque bays. Many tourists like to come to Sithonia for extreme water sports.entertainment, as well as many legends told by the locals.

Athos

This place was mentioned above. But some important information is still worth adding. Holy Athos rises at an altitude of 2033 meters in the southeastern part. In addition, Mount Athos is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A few kilometers northeast of Athos is the largest abyss of the Aegean Sea. It is here that there is a sharp drop in depth - from eighty meters to almost a thousand a hundred. It is also worth noting that the peninsula has about twenty capes. The climate on the territory of Athos is subtropical. It has mild rainy winters and hot summers.

Hotels in northern Greece

Most of the hotels are located along the coast and, as you know, the main part is not in the resort towns themselves, but at some distance from them. And it is for this reason that getting to shops and restaurants is not so easy. It is necessary to travel by transport. Only some of the hotels are within walking distance.