Poligiros, Halkidiki, Greece

Poligiros is the capital of Halkidiki Prefecture. It is located in the center of this area and built on the south foothills of Mt. Holomonta at 550 meters above sea level. Slopes overgrown with oaks lie on the north side of Poligiros; the highest top of them is Tsoukalas 890 in height.
	An impressive conic hill, the famous Ai-Lias and the homonymous country church overlook Poligiros. Small hills, coulees and streams are located on the south side of Poligiros. They lead to fruitful slopes with the olive groves of Poligiros and to the coastlines where Kalives and Gerakini villages are built.
Origin of the Name: There are many versions concerning the origin of the name "Poligiros". It is said that it comes from the word "klities" which means slopes, or the words "poli geros" which mean "very strong" because of the very healthy climate of the area. According to another explanation the name comes from the word "Poliaros" (probably the name of a rich landowner) that was found in an engraved epigraph. Finally, another version attributes the name to the words "poli ieros topos" (very sacred place) because of a sanctuary found in the area. This sanctuary kept its glory even after the destruction and abandonment of the ancient town of Apollonia.
	History: Poligiros is reported from the Byzantine period. Many historians identify Poligiros with ancient Apollonia while others believe that Apollonia was built close to Poligiros. The most important historical event that took place in Poligiros is the beginning of the Revolution of Halkidiki on May 17^th, 1821. After the murder of the Greek farmer Kirkos Papageorgakis by Turk solders, the people of Poligiros attacked and killed first the Turkish guard and later forced the Turkish army to abandon the area.