Arnea

Arnea is a town of 2,500 people in Northern Halkidiki, built at the foot of Mount Holomontas. It is 70 km from Thessaloniki and 38 km from Poligiros. It is the capital of the district of Arnea. Ruins of an ancient civilization have been found 3 km of the township of Arnea and many believe it is the site of ancient Arne, mentioned by Thoukididis. Its acropolis and parts of walls have been discovered on the hill of Profitis Ilias. Arnea is privileged because of its important traditional background. For this reason it has been proclaimed as an "Historical Site" and "Traditional Settlement" by the Cultural Ministry.

During recent years an effort has been made to develop alternative tourism through the European Unions LEADER program. The traditions, the traditional buildings and the cultural events have been maintained and developed so visitors who demand something different , will find it in Arnea. Tourism in Halkidiki should not start and end at the sea. The uniqueness of Arnea with highland registration, a wonderful climate, hand made textiles, honey and its traditional neighborhoods, gives Arnea an opportunity for alternative tourist development.

Those who visit Arnea are given the opportunity not only to buy, from the special exhibitions, of hand made textiles but also watch them being weaved. The weavers of Arnea were and are, to a certain point, a large creative part of the population, with hard work and sensitivity work to continue the local traditions. Also, in natural environment on the slopes of Holomonta, under oak trees, close to streams where the bees are kept, groups of tourists or even individuals can see the way the bee-keepers work and get to know the society of bees.

Visitors can buy all the products derived from bee-keeping. The visitors can also visit the rare natural beauty of the highland of Mt. Holomonta. On the 26^th of July is the festival of Agia Paraskevi which is full of cultural events. It is also worth seeing the "Giatradiko" which is a Cultural historical museum - soon will be open to the public every day. The area has good roads going to and from Thessaloniki. Beginning from here there is daily excursion to Mt. Athos and the villages by the sea in this area. This way the visitors can combine holidays in the mountain and the sea the same time.

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