SYKIA SITHONIA CHALKIDIKI
(ΣΥΚΙΑ ΣΙΘΩΝΙΑ ΧΑΛΚΙΔΙΚΗ)
Sykia (Greek Συκιά) is a village located in the southern mountains of Sithonia with a population of about 1900 inhabitants (Status 2011). The distance between Sykia and Thessaloniki is approximately 190km. The related 'Bay of Sykia' is in a distance of 2.5km.
The appearance of Sykia is influenced by classical architecture, narrow alleys and idyllic squares. Inside the village many of the historic buildings have been preserved. The traditional style of architecture is still retained till present time.
In Sykia, folkloristic festivals are celebrated with an outstanding passion. The churches are opulent decorated during those events. The official ceremony follows the boisterous part with plenty of food, wine, music and dancing until late-night.
As one of the historic villages in Chalkidiki as well as build on a historic site and surrounded by a picturesque mountain scenery the visitor has the possibility to visit historic landmarks and discover the idyllic surrounding of Sykia by diversified hikes through the area.
Among other places of interest in the village the church of St. Athanasions is worth a visit. It was built in 1814, destroyed in between and reconstructed in 1856.
The dialect of Sykia differs compared to every other place in Chalkidiki in language and intonation. In addition, the residents have a strong connection to tradition and it's own interpretation of traditional dances.
The construction of the ring road of Sithonia and the connection to the road-network of Chalkidiki led Sykia into a decisive economic recovery. Unlike most towns in Sithonia the traditional commercial occupation of the population of Sykia, like agriculture, livestock and fishing were not widely replaced by tourism. Tourism still plays a minor role.
In consequence of the Greek administrative reform in 1997, Sarti, Sykia and Toroni were united in one municipality (Greek: δήμος, Dimos) of Toroni. Regardless of the fact that Toroni is the smallest of these villages, the municipality took its name due to its important relevance in ancient history. After a re-reformation in 2010 the various administrative areas in Sithonia were unified into one single community.
In the byzantine era various areas of Chalkidiki were administrated by the Autonomous Monastic State of Mount Athos. Single monasteries managed specific areas. The region around Sykia fell under the jurisdiction of the monastery 'Megitsis Lavra'.
During the Ottoman occupation Sykia kept a close relation to Athos. The freedom-focused militancy of the people of Sykia was one of the crucial factors for the region's intervention in the revolution in 1821. However, the revolution came to no success and the village was burned down by the Ottomans after the suppression of the uprising. Some villagers could flee by the sea-route to territories in southern Greece. 1854 a further revolt against the occupying forces was initiated in Sykia under the command of Tsamis Karatasios. In the course soldiers entrenched in the villages church, which was fired as the ottomans refused to surrender. Also this attempt of get liberated of the occupying power, finally went to no avail. Its said that Sykia was the last village in Chalkidiki which capitulated. Finally liberation of the entire area of Chalkidiki including Sykia came with the Balkan wars in 1912.
In the archives of Athos are records that document the founding of the village in the 14th century under the name of 'Longos'. When and in what circumstances the name changed into Sykia is not known. According to ancient scripts the settlement owes the name from a impressive fig-tree that stood nearby. In accordance with oral traditions of the locals, he name derives from the shadow (Greek: σκιά, skia) which is cased over the village by the holy Mount Athos. Another version says that the name could refer to the ancient settlement Singos. This is rather unlikely as the location if this historical settlement is assumed further north in the area of Agios Nikolaos.
According to one hypothesis, Sykia could be located near the ancient town Sarte. Discoveries of ruins on the hill-plateau 'Koukos' nearby Sykia suggest the area was inhabited in ancient times. To what specific settlement this ruins actually belonged remain unknown.
