Ormos Panagias is a little village and harbor next to Agios Nikolaos. The church of Panagia (Our Lady), built in the Byzantine Period, is located in Ormos Panagias. Today, from the port of Ormos Panagias, daily trips are made to Mount Athos and Ouranoupolis. The village has some very good seafood restaurants.

The landscape around Agios Nikolaos is remarkably versatile. Eastward is the coastal area with a coastline-length of 30km. Many olive groves dominate large areas around the village. The hinterland is characterized by vast plains and wooden highlands which lead into the massif of Itamos. The highest point of the region of Agios Nikolaos is the crest of the mountain Karvounas with an altitude of 546m.

In Agios Nikolaos visitors can admire few of the historical stone-houses build in the classical architecture of Northern Greece.

2.5 km south of Agios Nikolaos is the small settlement and harbor-area Ormos Panagias. The place occupied as fishing port and marina. It is the starting point for private boat trips and organized cruise-excursions along the coast of Mount Athos including trips to Ouranoupolis and the Ammuliani-island. The marina has a capacity for 100 boats or yachts. In Ormos Panagias are also plenty Hotels, Apartments and Taverns. On Easter-Tuesday a solemn precession is taking place on the village’s square.

Diaporos is the largest island in the bay vis-à-vis Ormos Panagias. The area of 3.2 square km is mainly uninhabited and largely forested. Diaporos can be reached easily by boat. It is a good opportunity for a nature-orientated day trip. The shallow waters of the bay keep the residual heat till winter and attract swimmers all the year around.

The popular tourist coastal village Vourvourou is part of the municipality of Agios Nikolaos. Taverns and beach bars providing welfare but especially the small historic fishing village is worth a visit.

From Mid-October to Mid-November local distilleries are producing the traditional pomace-brandy Tsipouro.

Events and observances in Agios Nikolas:

• The observance of Saint Nikolaos is celebrated on the hill of Vetrino.
• The observance of Saint George: The Mass in the old chapel of St. George follow musical events with food and beverages.
• The observance of Saint Marina (Margaret of Antioch) is taking place outside the village on the hill ‘Guvali’ annually 17th of July. After the Mass follow celebrations.
• On Carnival Monday, before begin of the lent season, a Carnival event including food and dancing is taking place in the village square.
• Religious procession in Agios Nikolaos on Tuesday after Easter. During the Ottoman occupation the residents pilgrimage with sacred icons of St. Georg to the sanctuary of St. Theodore in neighboring village Ormos Panagias. The procession was also the opportunity to exchange secret information for upcoming riots against the occupying forces.

The city survived the Persian Invasion. Chalkidiki was on the line of approach of the Persian troops. Before the outbreak of the Peloponnesian War, Singos left the union to join an alliance with the city Potideia. On a Decree of King Peridiccas most inhabitants left their cities on the peninsula to settle down in the ever-growing Olynthos. Further records of the historical course of Singos after 421 BC do not exist.

The post A day trip to historical village – Agios Nikolaos appeared first on Drosoudis Resort.