Parthenonas

Parthenonas will immerse you into the traditional way of life of the Greeks and make you forget about the haste.

However, there are those that are unanimously recognized as the best. Parthenonas is considered as the "most beautiful" of the villages on Sithonia. It is located in 6 km from Neos Marmaras. Parthenonas can boast of ancient buildings, eventful history and lots of greenery, which create an impressive background.

History of the Parthenonas

Historians cannot make an agreement about the ancient history of Parthenonas. It is known that it is mentioned in the writings of Herodotus, who spoke of the existence of the settlement of Parthenopolis. There is evidence of the presence of people in the archaic period in this place. A sanctuary of those times was found and investigated. The modern Parthenonas dates back to the era of Ottoman rule. Then the village experienced difficult times and was abandoned for many years.

In the XIX century, the inhabitants of Parthenonas distinguished themselves in revolutionary events. In 1912, the village was finally freed from the Turks. It would seem that life was fine and the village must have been flourished. However, by the 1970s, when the ship-owner Yiannis Carras had begun construction of the tourist complex of Porto Carras, many residents of Parthenonas moved to the coast, to Neos Marmaras, in search of work. Gradually, the village became abandoned and actually turned into a ghost town.

Until 1980, Parthenonas remained a forgotten mountain village. Nevertheless, with the development of tourism in Sithonia, someone had a good idea to turn it into a traditional Greek settlement that attracted visitors to the peninsula. To this end, Parthenonas had everything it needs - an untouched architecture in typical Macedonian style, a pacifying atmosphere and amazingly beautiful views of the green hills and the Threshold of Gulf. Soon the houses of the Parthenonas were restored, roads were asphalted, and a couple of hospitable mini-hotels and taverns were opened. Therefore, the village has turned, perhaps, into the most beautiful village in Sithonia.

Parthenonas today. What to do and what to see

In Parthenonas you can spend more than one day and not get bored. Fanciers of walks should climb one of the trails of Mount Itamos to enjoy the views of Mount Athos on one side and Mount Olympus on the other. The walk can be continued along the paths that lead through the olive groves. Bicycle tours are also available. In the hotels of Parthenonas you can ask for maps with a detailed description of the routes.

A magnet for the guests of the village is the view that opens from a height. One of the taverns of the Parthenonas attracts the guests of the village with delightful panoramas of the island of Kelyfos and the bay of Toroneos. Here you can rest in the shade of trees and enjoy ouzo, coffee or traditional Greek dishes.

In Parthenonas there is an Ethnographic Museum, the main attraction of the village. Here you can see antique furniture, photographs, clothes, household utensils and tablecloths, once created by local artisans.

A Greek settlement cannot exist without a church. There is the church of St. Stefan in the center of Parthenonas. It was restored in 1837 after the fire and no longer changed the look of the religious monument. You can see the icons of the heavenly patrons of the village in the temple, and the most valuable are now stored in the main church of Neos Marmaras.

The architecture of Parthenonas is one of the most interesting things about it. You can go around this small village in an hour. Almost every house is characterized by interesting architectural elements, and cozy courtyards, which are buried in flowers. Several mansions have also been preserved in Parthenonas. Another interesting attraction is the ancient olive tree. If one believes the plate installed next, the tree's age is at least 900 years.

Holding of an open-air film festival became a tradition three years ago in the Parthenonas. You can enjoy the best pictures of the last decades, from art house to retro comedies, in the center of the village in the middle of July for several days. All this is surrounded by historical architecture, the starry sky and idyllic landscapes. An admission is free. Every year the number of spectators is growing. Three thousands of people visited three-day festival in the season of 2017.