THE ” THORNY ” ANCIENT CITY AS A DISTINCT PASSAGE OF CIVILIZATIONS AND WITH ALΜΟST FANTASTIC FOLK LEGENDS, CLOSE TO THE ONLY REMNANTS OF A TECHNICAL FΕΑΤ BY THE ANCIENT PERSIAN EMPIRE IN EUROPE.
Personal certified classicist and mountain guide: Mr. Kimon Tsiomis
History of the place
Due to an operational program of Macedonia and Thrace (2007-2013) with the co-financing of Greece and European Union the project “Protection and exhibition shell for a part of ancient Acanthus cemetery in Chalkidiki”, was planned and took place in Ierissos. The project aimed to expose and present to the public a part of the cemetery of ancient Akanthos, which remains as excavated in place (in situ) and is protected by a functional shell, emphasizing, in a discreet manner, on the public cultural character responding to the needs of modern aesthetics. The shell was constructed before uncovering the antiquities to keep the image of the excavation as authentic as possible and avoid any damages to the findings due to construction work. Designing the shell serves objectives as the safety and protection of the findings against weather, the natural lighting and ventilation of the site and to ensure the unimpeded viewing for the visitors.
The Canal of Xerxes is the largest technical project that took place in Halkidiki during the ancient era. According to Herodotus, in 480 B.C., during the Median wars, Xerxes, the king of Persians, wanted to lead his large fleet from Akanthos to Thermi (the name of Thessaloniki then) avoiding the danger of the Athonite circumnavigation and avoid having the same fate Mardonios had a decade ago. So, he ordered the opening of a canal that extended from today’s Nea Roda to Tripiti and connected the gulf of Ierrisos to Siggitikos bay where the cities Assa, Piloros, Siggos and Sarti, that had been already subjugated to Persians, were located.
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