The most important historic site in Halkidiki is ancient Stagira, located beside Olympiada, in the Liotopi peninsula.  If you want to see everything, you should know that you will need at least 2 to 3 hours and do not miss seeing the seaside path, which is marvelous. Ionian settlers who came from the island of Andros founded the city in 655 B.C. Colonists from Chalkida settled a little later on. The old sources are exact about the location of the city. Stravonas places it in a coastal area southern of ancient Akanthos, in his “Geographics” and mentions the existence of a small islet on the opposite side of the city named Kapros. The fact that the same name is attributed to the port of Stagira is a feature, whereas many coins bear the symbol of a boar.

The first excavation in ancient Stagira took place in the end of 1960 and still continue bringing important findings to light. The recent restoration program of the XVI Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classic Antiquities, which will offer access to a part of the wall that includes a circular tower and the large rectangular tower, is interesting. The XVI Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classic Antiquities, directed by archaelogist K. Sismanidis, did many excavations, configurations and restorations in ancient Stagira, between 1990-2000. The first attempts took place in the end of the 60’s by F. Petsas. The archaeological museum of Polygyros exhibits findings from the excavations.The tour is a real treat.

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