NEOS MARMARAS SITHONIA CHALKIDIKI
(ΝΕΟΣ ΜΑΡΜΑΡΑΣ ΣΙΘΩΝΙΑ ΧΑΛΚΙΔΙΚΗ)
Neos Marmaras (Greek: Νέος Μαρμαράς) is centrally located on the western coast in Sithonia on the Toronaios Bay on a distance of 130 km to Thessaloniki. With about 3 350 permanent residents (status 2011) Neos Marmaras is the largest town and main commercial center in the region of Sithonia. During summer the population rises to about 20 000 people.
Neos Marmaras contains 20 km coastline. Around this place are countless small coves and beaches. Many of them have been awarded with the blue flag.
The site offers an appealing range of entertainment and relaxation. During summer it's a popular holiday-destination for Greek and foreign tourists. Visitors can find accommodation in the many available hotels, apartments and private vacation homes. Plenty of Taverns serve local food and music bars offer entertainment until late night. The surrounding area of Neos Marmaras can be easily explored on well-kept hiking-trails.
In and around Neos Marmaras many cultural festivals are talking place mainly in summer, but also during the afterseason.
The inhabitants of this area are dealing traditionally with fishing, agriculture (mostly wine-production or the growing & processing of olives) and beekeeping. However the most relevant source of income is tourism.
The town Neos Marmaras is located on the territory of the ancient city Galepsos. The ancient settlement was founded in the 7th century BC but abandoned few centuries later as a result of wars and relocation of the population. There is no prove about the further existence of Galepsos after the 4th century BC. Until the resettlement in 1922 the area remained widely uninhabited.
Neos Marmaras was founded in 1922 by Greek refugees from the island Marmaras in the inland-sea Marmaras. Their escape resulted on the defeat in the Greek-Turkish War. As often by the foundation of a refugee settlement, the people retained the prior-hometown's name and add the supplement 'Nea' or 'Neos' (Greek 'new).
In spring 1946 a regular ship-route between Thessaloniki and Neos Marmaras was established. Only with the construction of a road in 1952 the town finally was connected to the road-network of Halkidiki. In 1959 the town granted its status as an official community including town ordinances and privileges. After the first census in 1961, 1 200 inhabitants were counted as inhabitants. During the seventies a school and various offices were constructed. In 1985 also the center of culture was established.
The completion of the nearby holiday resort Porto Carras in the early 70s leaded to a fast developed of Neos Marmaras into an important tourist area. Related to the rise of toursm, the number of residents increased rapidly.
5 km northward of Neos Marmaras is the mountain village Parthenonas (Greek Παρθενώνας, village of virgins') at an altitude of 350m nestled in the mountain Itamos. According to historical scripts the settlement was originated during the Byzantine era of the 10th century. The name altered between Parthenopolis, Partheni and Parthenionas. However many historians agree in the opinion that the position of ancient settlement Parthenopolis differs from the location as the still existing Parthenonas. After Neos Marmaras was founded, many residents left the mountain-village to settle down in the nearby coastal town. Parthenonas was finally abandoned in the seventies. The place was repopulated again and many of the old houses renovated in traditional manner. Today the idyllic village is a popular place of interest. Annually on 27th July a celebration to honor the Patron Panteleimon is taking place in Parthenonas.
Southward of Neos Marmaras is the popular holiday resort Porto Carras. The complex was constructed by the shipping company owner Giannis Carras. Until today the building is kept in its original state and provides a good example of funcionalistic architecture. Originally the famous Bauhaus architect Walter Gropius was commissioned with the project, however, died before the planning phase. Porto Carras established as a venue of many international conventions and was the location of the European Summit in 2003. Porto Carras holds its own winery on a area of 475 000 square meters and contains landscapes with more than 45,000 olive trees. The marina of Port Carras is the largest one in Greece.
