Ammouliani
Ammouliani is the only inhabited island of the Central Macedonia, with a population of 600 permanent residents.
It is located in the bay of Mount Athos. It is in a distance of 130 kilometers from Thessaloniki, and it is connected with ferry boat to the opposite coast of Tripiti (the distance between Ammouliani and Tripiti is 2 nautical miles). The ferry boats have frequent daily routes.
It covers an area of 4.5 kilometers with beautiful beaches such as Alykes, Agios Georgios, Nisakia, Megali Ammos, Karagatsia, and many other small harbours where you can enjoy the sea. A crystal clear sea full of fish for those who enjoy fishing.
A sea bottom with a wide variety of underwater life, a true challenge for those who enjoy snorkeling and diving. The lush green vegetation dominates the island, the hills and the small valleys alternate in the scenery of the island that is full of olive trees and shrub vegetation. The climate is ideal, mostly from May to October.
Tourism is the main occupation of the residents. Ammouliani every year welcomes thousands of visitors from all over Greece and abroad. The main features of the island is the natural beauty, the crystal clear sea, the fresh fish and the hospitality.
Until 1923 the island belonged to the Monastic community of Vatopedi, with only a few monks and workers taking care of the fields, olive groves and the livestock.
Many of the buildings from the era survive today, such as the Church (1865), arsenal (1800), the school (1907) and the club (1896). The new settlement in the island was founded by immigrants from Propontida in 1925, they were traditionally engaged in fishing and in just a few years managed to stand out by creating a large fishing fleet.
Ammouliani has super markets, bakeries, butcheries, restaurants – taverns, folklore stores, bars, night club, pizzerias and patisseries.
Information:
Distance from Ierissos: 8 km
Distance from Thessaloniki: 122 km
Municipality contact line: 23770 51208
Clinic: 23770-51333
Ammouliani is one of the best tourist resorts.
Mount Athos
Mount Athos is autonomous and self- governed state of Greek country. It extends on approximately the whole the eastern peninsula from three peninsulas of Halkidiki, with length 40km, width 8-12km, and 332,5 square kilometers extension. At the center of the peninsula of Mount Athos is being extended a mountain volume which reaches the peak of Mt Athos with 2.033m. The borders of the monastic state are being defined on the land starting from the location Fragkokastro on the western coast and reaches to Cape Arapis to the across coast, aside the Mountain Megali Vigla.
Visiting Mount Athos, according to the "Tipikon" of the Monastic state is being allowed only to men. To women is not allowed even the approach of its coasts. Greeks pilgrims should have with them their ID card and the Visas (diamonitirio), which are being provided from Pilgrims Office to Ouranoupoli.
Tel & Fax for Visa (Diamonitirio): Τel: +30 2310252575 FAX: +30 2310222424. A request for visa must be done the earliest the possible, since the number of visas issued from the Pilgrims Office to Thessaloniki is restricted. The Monasteries can issue special visas for special guests, additionally to the number of general visas.
A pilgrim reaches Mount Athos starting from Thessaloniki by car, arriving to Ierissos or Nea Roda or Ouranoupoli Halkidiki via Arnaia. The route is with good traffic conditions and abstains 143km (from Thessaloniki). From Ierissos and Nea Roda the pilgrim continues with small boat. The journey until the port of Iviron lasts approximately 4 hours. From there, he continues to the capital, Karies, by bus in half of an hour. If the pilgrim goes via Ouranoupoli, then from there he reaches the sport of Daphne, also by boat in 2 hours. From Daphne by bus he reaches Karies in half of an hour.
Ouranoupoli is the last doorstep to Athos. It is the last frontier in which pilgrims arrive wishing to enter Mount Athos. Daily the small port under the shadow of the Tower fills up with boats, on which the pilgrims board (since they are provided the related license), so as to reach the port of Mount Athos, Daphne.
Ouranoupoli took its name by the Alexandrian city founded in 315 b.C by Alexarhos, son of Antipatros and brother of Kassandros.During the 100century the first monasteries are being founded on the peninsula of Athos. One of them is “Moni Zigou” or “Fragkokastro”, located close to Ouranoupoli, where St Athanasios the Athonite lead an ascetic life for a year. He founded the Monastery of Megisti Lavra. The ancient monastery is still under excavation, during which lots of important findings are being revealed, and possesses the unique privilege to be the unique monastery outside the borders of Mount Athos- consequently also visitable from women too.
At the beginning of 14th century the Monastery Vatopedi builds the Tower which imposes at the S.W part of the village, having as aim to protect the metohi (church porperty), being until nowadays the most well preserved tower in Halkidiki. In 19th century an earthquake destroyed its last floor, then repaired and takes its last shape.
Ouranoupoli is being considered to be one of the most important resorts of Northern Halkidiki. It offers lots or restaurants and hotels, for good dining and comfort stay. During summer cruises follow the coastline of the western side of Athos, giving the chance to visitors to see, even from a distance the imposing Byzantine monasteries.
