The Church of Our Lady of Faneromeni is one of the oldest churches in Halkidiki, which has preserved priceless relics.
If you look at a map of the peninsula of Halkidiki, you will notice Nea Skioni, one of the most remote resorts of Kassandra peninsula. It is located in a quiet area, 110 km from Thessaloniki. The area is a favorable location for the church of Panagia Faneromeni, one of the oldest and most interesting churches in Halkidiki.
The legend of the church: the story of the icon that was found
The interest of tourists, first of all, is chained to the legend of the appearance of the church of Panagia Faneromeni. The locals say that in the late 16th century, late at night, one of the inhabitants of the village noticed a light from the sea. He decided that pirates were approaching and immediately rushed to spread the news throughout the village, warning his fellow villagers of the possible danger. By morning, as the light approached the shore, it was clear that it was a marble slab with a picture of the Virgin Mary. What he saw seemed incredible - such a heavy slab by all laws should not be floating, caught by the waves. Considering the event a sign from above, the locals asked the Turkish bey for permission to build a church and place the miraculous icon there.
On hearing the Greek population's plans, the Turk only laughed at them. And then he threw the marble slab with the image of the Virgin and stepped on it with his foot. Suddenly the slab felt soft and the Turk was trapped - no matter how hard he tried, he could not free his foot. The Christians prayed and Bey managed to get out. Repenting, he allowed the church to be built. According to some versions, he himself and his family also converted to Christianity.
The villagers chose the top of a hill for this purpose, as it offered a good view of the surrounding countryside and allowed them to see the pirates approaching. Construction began, but every morning they noticed the destruction and the marble icon was found near the sea. Then for the erection of the church chose (or rather, the icon itself chose) the coastal territory - the place where the image of the Virgin was first brought to the shore.
According to another legend, the icon weeps before difficult historical events. This was the case before World War II, the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, and the story of the renaming of one of the Yugoslav republics into "Macedonia" - still a sore point for Greeks.
Panagia Faneromeni today: what to see
The church does not attract attention - it is not just modest, but even small and unremarkable. You'll have to navigate by the signs and the cross by the road, so as not to miss the right turn. Despite its small size, the church stands out for its snow-white color with elements of blue. It stands in a picturesque place overlooking the sea.
After learning the legend of the appearance of the church, it's time to go inside. The interior of the Panagia Faneromeni is decorated with original frescoes from the 16th century, the same age as the church. The icon itself, which gave Nea Schioni such a significant landmark, has also survived. It stands at the altar. The face of the Virgin has faded almost completely, but a footprint can be seen on the stone. Someone believes the legend, but there is a more realistic explanation: the image of the Virgin has been put on the pedestal in the place where the foot of the ancient statue was.
Every year, on August 23, the church of Panagia Faneromeni serves as the site of a large-scale religious festival dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. At this time, believers from all over the peninsula of Halkidiki and Thessaloniki come to Nea Skioni. They participate in the festive services and worship the icon with a unique history.
What is nearby: The nearest infrastructure
Nea Skioni is located 3 km from Panagia Faneromeni. It's a modern resort village where you can stay for a holiday or just have lunch - Nea Skioni taverns are famous for the freshest fish dishes. It is also famous for its long and clean beaches. It regularly receives the Blue Flag and offers plenty of entertainment: from children's playgrounds to sports fields. The area around Nea Skioni has pine forests that are perfect for leisurely walks.
The church of Panagia Faneromeni is a 5 minute drive from Loutra. Often the church is visited on the way to Loutra. This village is famous for its healing springs. Here you can improve your health in the spa or take a walk on the hiking trails.
From Thessaloniki: first take bus number 45 to K.T.E.L. stop. Halkidikis, then take a bus to Nea Skioni or Loutra and from there you can take a cab to Panagia Faneromeni.
From Thessaloniki airport: Take bus 79 to IKEA, then take bus 36 to K.T.E.L. Halkidikis. From this station take buses to Loutra and Nea Skioni. Then take a cab to the church.
