Agios Nikolaos (Chalkidiki)

Agios Nikolaos (Greek Αγιος Νικόλαος, ( m. sg. ) ) Is a Greek village about 120 kilometers southeast of Thessaloniki on the peninsula Chalkidiki in Central Macedonia. The village together with his whole area is also a village in the municipality was founded in 1997 ( Dimos ) Sithonia, which has been extended to the neighboring village of Toroni 2011.

Geography

The location of Agios Nikolaos is best described by the colloquial wording: ". Middle finger (Sithonia ), right approach," Exact located Agios Nikolaos on the north-eastern approach area of Sithonia peninsula at its narrowest east-west diameter ( Isthmus of Sithonia ).

The village of Agios Nikolaos has a minimal distance to the sea ( Singitischer golf, beach Pyrgos ) of about 1.5 km. The territory of the village is quite extended. In the northeast it borders the village Pirgadikia Salonikiou the beach (about 8 km from Agios Nikolaos ). In the north of Agios Nikolaos is adjacent to the neighboring village Metangitsi. In the west the village Nikiti is adjacent. The Südausdehnung of Agios Nikolaos extends to the ArmenistisIts beach, which is a part of the village of Sarti ( about 18-20 km from Agios Nikolaos ). The coastline length is excluding the islands about 30 km.

The landscape of Agios Nikolaos is remarkably different. In the plain to the south and southwest of the village agriculture dominates smaller base areas, where olive trees are the dominant crop. Forests are lacking. In the further course to the south and south-east the mountain chain of the Itamos ( Mountain ) rises, extending from north to south along the longitudinal axis of Sithonia. This mountain range is almost completely covered by forest. In northwestern direction ( Salonikiou beach ) significant terrain features of forest are also covered. Plains or low hills are used for agriculture in the entire village area. Since the 1980s, hotels, inns and houses have been built especially on the beaches and coastlines. The highest point of Agios Nikolaos is the mountain Karvounas (height 546 m) in the southwest in ( Vourvourvou ).

Some settlements belong to Agios Nikolaos and the village. These are:

  • Vourvourou - 10 km south-east
  • Salonikiou Beach - 8 km northeast
  • Ormos Panagia - 4 km east-southeast, serves as the port of Agios Nikolaos

Management

Agios Nikolaos was an independent municipality ( Kinotita ) in the prefecture of Halkidiki. As part of local government reform Schedio Kapodistrias 1997 Agios Nikolaos with neighboring communities Nikiti, Neos Marmaras and Metangitsi to the community ( municipality, gr Δημος ) Sithonia was summarized, in turn, the municipality of Sithonia was extended in 2010.

Population

Agios Nikolaos has about 1883 inhabitants (only the village itself ). If you connect the other settlements in the area of Agios Nikolaos one ( Vourvourou, Salonikiou Beach and Ormos Panagia ) results in a population of 2048 (all figures after the Greek Statistical Office Online). Nearly all the inhabitants are Greeks. While the emergence of tourism also some non- Greeks in Agios Nikolaos have a permanent establishment, for example, German, Austrian and Dutch. During the holiday season or holiday season, the population can increase to up to 10,000.

Economy

Traditionally, the inhabitants of Agios Nikolaos had two economic pillars: agriculture and fisheries. Agriculture dealt mainly with the cultivation and use of olive trees ( and olive oil production), cultivation of grain and wine. The fishing was limited mainly to the surrounding waters of Singitikos Bay and adjacent waters of the Aegean.

Since the 1980s, tourism has replaced fishing and agriculture as an economic main activity. The inhabitants of Agios Nikolaos have hotels, guest houses and apartments built or sold land for the purpose of tourist use. With these developments, the standard of living has increased significantly.

History

The history of the village dates back to the 16th century. Other sources ( villagers ) give the 14th century as a time of establishment of the village. However, evidence for this by means of literature and / or written records are not generally available. According to the traditions within the villagers Agios Nikolaos was initially close to the sea, has been moved into the interior due to pirate attacks. For this tradition, there are no reliable historical evidence that küstenabseitige location of many ancient villages of Halkidiki (see position of Sykea, Nikiti and its original village center, Ormylia, Kassandreia, Stagira ) a case for such a course. A sign of possible former location of the village are the remains of a Byzantine watchtower probably at Pyrgos beach ( gr Πύργος or Pyrgos = The Tower).

The ancient city SINGOs (which the Singitischen Golf was the name ) was located on the territory of Agios Nikolaos. The most likely position of the ancient city is located on the Livari Peninsula in Vourvourou, where an ancient wall with large stones is unvermörtelten ( Megas Teichos ). Some reports indicate that position also remains of ancient docks. According to the ancient historian Michael Zahrnt the most likely position of SINGOs the Bay Pyrgos or section Livrochio to Pyrgos. However, there is no systematic archaeological investigations, which can confirm or refute this position by means of excavations. Significant remains of ancient buildings are currently not to be found.

Infrastructure

Public institutions

Agios Nikolaos has the following public institutions:

  • Police station
  • Health center ( gr Κεντρο Υγειας ΕΣΥ ); corresponds to a polyclinic or mini - hospital with 3 beds
  • Pharmacies
  • Post
  • ATM
  • Gymnasium ( Greek comprehensive secondary school )
  • Primary school

Agios Nikolaos does not have a bank. The nearest bank is in Nikiti ( 7 km).

Traffic

Agios Nikolaos is located on the road which leads from Nikiti by Sarti on the east side of Sithonia, as well as on the road, the semi-circle the north coast of the Bay Singitikos bypasses (after Pirgadikia ). All roads are paved.

A railway link is not present (Chalkidiki has no railway). The nearest railway station is the main station of Thessaloniki.

Ormos Panagia serves as the port of Agios Nikolaos. For example there daily cruises along the west coast of Athos offered. Also, most fishing boats of the village are located in Ormos Panagia.

A connection to the air transport takes place through the airport of Thessaloniki.

Bus service ( KTEL; ΚΤΕΛ gr ) are the main public transport in Agios Nikolaos, Chalkidiki and in Greece at all. Daily connections ( at least 3 per day in summer) exist with the objectives of Thessaloniki, Sarti, Polygiros and Nea Moudania. In the winter the number of compounds per day is lower.

Architecture

Agios Nikolaos is predominantly a village with traditional stone-built houses with characteristic Macedonian- North Greek style. A variety of traditionally built homes however, has been replaced by conversion or new construction of modern houses. On the one hand this is due to increased demands on the quality of life, on the other hand offer a more modern buildings significantly better protection against earthquakes.

Attractions

Ancient Ruins which are a visit worth, do not exist.

  • Byzantine watchtower at Pyrgos beach (only ruins any)
  • Antique Wall " Mega Teichos " in Vourvourou ( Livari Peninsula )

Agios Nikolaos hotel has a large number of notable beaches (selection):

  • Salonikiou beach
  • Pyrgos stand
  • Livrochio beach
  • Latoura beach
  • Lagonisi beach
  • Livari beach
  • Vourvourou beach
  • Karidi beach
  • Zografou beach
  • Galana Nera, a water channel between the islands Diaporos and Agios Isidore.

Besides the beaches can be found in the Bay of Vourvourou nine islands which give the Vourvourou bay the characteristic of a lagoon environment:

  • Diaporos. This is the largest island. It is inhabited partly.
  • Kalogria
  • Kalomonisia. The smallest islands in the bay of Vourvourou.
  • Agios Isidoro. The easternmost island in the bay of Vourvourou.
Sarti (Chalkidiki) Cereal Polygyros
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