Agios Nikolaos (Sithonia) - Revision history

Irlandos: /* Transportation */

2006-11-17T13:57:16Z

Transportation

Irlandos: /* Landscapes */

2006-11-17T13:55:00Z

Landscapes

Irlandos: /* History */

2006-11-17T13:54:30Z

History

Irlandos: /* Population */

2006-11-17T13:54:02Z

Population

Irlandos at 13:53, November 17, 2006

2006-11-17T13:53:35Z

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'''Agios Nikolaos''' (Greek ΄Αγιος Νικόλαος) is a village located 120 kilometers south-east from [[Thessaloniki]] on the [[Chalkidiki]] peninsula in [[Macedonia]], [[Greece]].

==Location==
Agios Nikolaos sits on the north-eastern top of [[Sithonia]] peninsula, smallest east-west diameter of Sithonia.

==Geography==
The village Agios Nikolaos itself is closest to the sea of ([[Singitikos]] Gulf, Pyrgos Beach) approximately 1,5 km. away. However, its territory is quite extensive. To the north-east it borders the village of [[Pyrgadikia]] at [[Salonikiou Beach]] (8 km from Agios Nikolaos). To the north it borders the village of [[Metangitsi]]. In the west and south-west it is neighboring the village of [[Nikiti]]. To the south it runs up to [[Armenistis]] Beach, which is a part of the village of [[Sarti]] (approx. 18-20 km from Agios Nikolaos).

===Landscapes===
Agios Nikolaos' landscapes show a substantial variability.

In the plains east and south-east of the village [[agriculture]] predominates with olive trees as the main cultivated plant. Forests are lacking. Toward the south, the [[Itamos]] mountain range of [[Sithonia]] gain height, and is completely covered with forest. Towards its northeastern extension ([[Salonikiou]] Beach) significant parts of the village territory is covered with forests. In all parts of the village territory plains or smooth hill segments are devoted to agriculture.

On the beaches there are hotels and inns ("pensions") as well as individual homes that have been build since [[1980s]].

The highest point within Agios Nikolaos territory is mount [[Karvounas]] (height approx. 550 m) in the south-west ([[Vourvourvou]]).

===Settlements===
A couple of settlements belong to Agios Nikolaos:
* [[Vourvourou]] - located 10 km south-east
* [[Salonikiou Beach]] - located 8 km north-east
* [[Ormos Panagias]] - located 4 km east/south-east, serving as the villages port

==Administration==
Agios Nikolaos was an independent municipality. In [[2001]] widespread rearrangement of Greek local administrative divisions was undertaken. This resulted in Agios Nikolaos being combined with the municipalty of [[Sithonia]] and with the villages of [[Nikiti]], [[Neos Marmaras]], and [[Metangitsi]].

==Population==
Agios Nikolaos has about 1,883 inhabitants (based on the core village of Agios Nikolaos). Including the settlements of Vourvourou, Salonikiou Beach, and Ormos Panagias, the population is about 2,048 people (all figures according to the Greek Department of Statistics [http://www.statistics.gr]. Almost all inhabitants are [[indigenous]] [[Greeks]]. After the rise of tourism, some non-Greeks do settle permanently in Agios Nikolaos, for example, Germans, Dutch and Austrians.

During the holiday period population may rise to 10,000.

==Economy==
Traditionally, inhabitants of Agios Nikolaos had two economic mainstays: agriculture and fishery. Agriculture was mostly devoted to olive trees (and olive oil production), wheat, and winery. Fishery was limited to the waters of [[Singitikos Gulf]] and adjacent [[Aegean Sea]].<BR />
Since 1980s, tourism replaced fishery and agriculture as economic mainstay. Inhabitants have built own hotels, homes, and pensions or sold-off their agricultural land for real estate purposes. Concomitantly, living standards have risen significantly.
==History==
The village's history starts back in the [[16th century]]. Other sources (villagers) point back to the [[14th century]]. Little is known through written records. As traditional story-telling recounts, Agios Nikolaos was moved from the [[sea]] into the [[land]] because of repeated attacks by pirates. Hut this information lacks historic proof. One indicator of the former village position however can be found at Pyrgos Beach, where remains of a [[watchtower]] presumably of [[Byzantine]] origin can be found.

The ancient city of [[Singos]] (giving name to [[Singitikos Gulf]]) was located within Agios Nikolaos' territory. It was probably near the [[Vourvourou]] bay on [[Livari]] peninsula, where an ancient wall of large stones is still visible ([[Mega Teichos]]). Individual reports even mention remains of an ancient [[port]] at the very same location. No [[excavation]] was performed to confirm position and location of ancient Singos and significant remains of buildings are not evident.

==Infrastructure==
===Public facilities===
Agios Nikolaos has following public facilities:
* police station
* health center (equal to a very small hospital)
* pharmacies
* post office
* ATM

Agios Nikolaos does not have a bank. The nearest bank is located in Nikiti (7 km away).

===Transportation===
Agios Nikolaos lies adjacent to the road leading from [[Nikiti]] to [[Sarti]] ([[Sithonia]] west ring) and from [[Nikiti]] to [[Pyrgadikia]] (semicircular road around Singitikos bay leading east). All roads are covered with [[concrete]] or [[asphalt]].

There is no link to a railroad. ([[Chalkidiki]] has no railroad at all).

[[Ormos Panagias]] serves as port of Agios Nikolaos. Daily cruises to [[Mount Athos]]' west coast take off from that port. It serves also as home port of the village's fishery boats.

Air traffic is managed by the international airport of [[Thessaloniki]].
Bus traffic is the mainstay of public transport in Agios Nikolaos, as is in [[Chalkidiki]] and in [[Greece]] as a whole. Daily connections to Thessaloniki, [[Sarti]], [[Polygyros]], and [[Nea Moudania]] exist. In the summer, at least 3 buses a day do provide transportation, whereas in the winter bus frequency is lower.

===Architecture===
Agios Nikolaos is primarily a traditionally built village with characteristic [[Macedonia]]n architecture. However, a lot of traditional homes and houses have been replaced with modern ones. This is partially due to an higher standard of living as well as to stricter building standard because of earthquake concerns.

==Sightseeing==
Ancient remains worth sightseeing in a strict sense are not existent. However, one may want to take a look at:
* [[Byzantine]] watch tower at Pyrgos Beach (only ruins visible)
* Ancient Mega Teichos at Vourvourou (Livari)
Agios Nikolaos is full of noteworthy beaches, as there are:
* Salonikiou Beach
* Pyrgos Beach
* Livrochio Beach
* Latoura Beach
* Lagonisi Beach
* Livari Beach
* Vourvourou Beach
* Karidi Beach
* Zografou Beach
* Galana Nera, a beach located between Diaporos and Agios Isidoros.
Beside the beaches, the bay of Vourvourou has approx. 9 islands giving bay of Vourvourou a lagoon appearance.
* Diaporos Island, largest island, partially inhabited
* Agios Isidoros, the most eastern island
All islands and islands' beaches can only be reached by boat.

{{Credit wikipedia}}

[[Category:Cities and towns in Greece]]
[[Category:Chalkidiki prefecture]]

@@ Line 50: / Line 50: @@
 ===Transportation===
-Agios Nikolaos lies adjacent to the road leading from [[Nikiti]] to [[Sarti]] ([[Sithonia]] west ring) and from [[Nikiti]] to [[Pyrgadikia]] (semicircular road around Singitikos bay leading east). All roads are covered with [[concrete]] or [[asphalt]].
+Agios Nikolaos lies adjacent to the road leading from [[Nikiti]] to [[Sarti]] ([[Sithonia]] west ring) and from [[Nikiti]] to [[Pyrgadikia]] (semicircular road around Singitikos bay leading east). All roads are covered with concrete or asphalt.
 There is no link to a railroad. ([[Chalkidiki]] has no railroad at all).

@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
 Agios Nikolaos' landscapes show a substantial variability.
-In the plains east and south-east of the village [[agriculture]] predominates with olive trees as the main cultivated plant. Forests are lacking. Toward the south, the [[Itamos]] mountain range of [[Sithonia]] gain height, and is completely covered with forest. Towards its northeastern extension ([[Salonikiou]] Beach) significant parts of the village territory is covered with forests. In all parts of the village territory plains or smooth hill segments are devoted to agriculture.
+In the plains east and south-east of the village agriculture predominates with olive trees as the main cultivated plant. Forests are lacking. Toward the south, the [[Itamos]] mountain range of [[Sithonia]] gain height, and is completely covered with forest. Towards its northeastern extension ([[Salonikiou]] Beach) significant parts of the village territory is covered with forests. In all parts of the village territory plains or smooth hill segments are devoted to agriculture.
 On the beaches there are hotels and inns ("pensions") as well as individual homes that have been build since [[1980s]].

@@ Line 34: / Line 34: @@
 Since 1980s, tourism replaced fishery and agriculture as economic mainstay. Inhabitants have built own hotels, homes, and pensions or sold-off their agricultural land for real estate purposes. Concomitantly, living standards have risen significantly.
 ==History==
-The village's history starts back in the [[16th century]]. Other sources (villagers) point back to the [[14th century]]. Little is known through written records. As traditional story-telling recounts, Agios Nikolaos was moved from the [[sea]] into the [[land]] because of repeated attacks by pirates. Hut this information lacks historic proof. One indicator of the former village position however can be found at Pyrgos Beach, where remains of a [[watchtower]] presumably of [[Byzantine]] origin can be found.
+The village's history starts back in the [[16th century]]. Other sources (villagers) point back to the [[14th century]]. Little is known through written records. As traditional story-telling recounts, Agios Nikolaos was moved from the sea into the land because of repeated attacks by pirates. Hut this information lacks historic proof. One indicator of the former village position however can be found at Pyrgos Beach, where remains of a watchtower presumably of [[Byzantine]] origin can be found.
-The ancient city of [[Singos]] (giving name to [[Singitikos Gulf]]) was located within Agios Nikolaos' territory. It was probably near the [[Vourvourou]] bay on [[Livari]] peninsula, where an ancient wall of large stones is still visible ([[Mega Teichos]]). Individual reports even mention remains of an ancient [[port]] at the very same location. No [[excavation]] was performed to confirm position and location of ancient Singos and significant remains of buildings are not evident.
+The ancient city of [[Singos]] (giving name to [[Singitikos Gulf]]) was located within Agios Nikolaos' territory. It was probably near the [[Vourvourou]] bay on [[Livari]] peninsula, where an ancient wall of large stones is still visible ([[Mega Teichos]]). Individual reports even mention remains of an ancient [[port]] at the very same location. No excavation was performed to confirm position and location of ancient Singos and significant remains of buildings are not evident.
 ==Infrastructure==

@@ Line 26: / Line 26: @@
 ==Population==
-Agios Nikolaos has about 1,883 inhabitants (based on the core village of Agios Nikolaos). Including the settlements of Vourvourou, Salonikiou Beach, and Ormos Panagias, the population is about 2,048 people (all figures according to the Greek Department of Statistics [http://www.statistics.gr]. Almost all inhabitants are [[indigenous]] [[Greeks]]. After the  rise of tourism, some non-Greeks do settle permanently in Agios Nikolaos, for example, Germans, Dutch and Austrians.
+Agios Nikolaos has about 1,883 inhabitants (based on the core village of Agios Nikolaos). Including the settlements of Vourvourou, Salonikiou Beach, and Ormos Panagias, the population is about 2,048 people (all figures according to the Greek Department of Statistics [http://www.statistics.gr]. Almost all inhabitants are indigenous [[Greeks]]. After the  rise of tourism, some non-Greeks do settle permanently in Agios Nikolaos, for example, Germans, Dutch and Austrians.
 During the holiday period population may rise  to 10,000.