Agios Athanasios of Pella is a beautiful picturesque village, on the slopes of the majestic Mount Kaikmatsalan. The village has been characterized as a traditional settlement since 1992 and is an attraction for many tourists, during the autumn and winter months, due to its proximity to the ski resort of the mountain. Agios Athanasios Pella is located in the Municipality of Edessa, at a distance of 30 km from the city of Edessa and its population is estimated at 300 people.
Agios Athanasios of Pella is the ideal choice for a beautiful excursion near Thessaloniki, as in addition to the ski center of Kaimaktsalan, visitors of the village will have the opportunity to enjoy many other activities, since Agios Athanasios is a warm corner of macedonia which has remained unchanged over time.
History of Agios Athanasios of Pella
Agios Athanasios of Pella was built at the end of the 16th century by cattle breeders and Epirote builders. However, there are indications that the area was inhabited by people from Roman and Byzantine times, due to the ruins found there. The village has a rich history, as many battles took place around the area during the two world wars. The village began to decline in the post-war era due to the migration of its inhabitants abroad. Moreover, the road that connects Agios Athanasios of Pella with Edessa was created not long ago, in 1970.
Since the mid-1990s the settlement has grown rapidly, due to the ski center. New buildings are constantly builded, but without deviating from the traditional stone architecture of the village.Thus, the village of Agios Athanasios of Pella is a representative example of elegant residential development with respect to traditional architecture.
Kaimaktsalan Ski Center
Kaimaktsalan Ski CenterOne of the must-visit places, if you choose Agios Athanasios of Pella as your destination, is the ski center of Kaimaktsalan. Kaimaktsalan ski resort is located at an altitude of over 2000 km and remains open from early December until late May. At the ski resort you will have the opportunity to have fun despite your age, as it has many different ski slopes, adapted to different levels.
Even if you are not a fan of winter sports, you should visit the ski resort, due to its excellent view, as you will have the opportunity to admire Mount Olympus and the Thermaic Gulf. You should also not miss the opportunity to admire the Kaimaktsalan forest which is an important habitat of the area and has been declared protected.
Places to eat in Agios Athanasios of Pella
In Agios Athanasios you will find many picturesque stone taverns, which will captivate you with their genuine Macedonian flavors and warm hospitality. For example, you can visit Petros, a restored restaurant with rustic touches, which will take your mind away with its traditional recipes and the pure raw materials it uses for preparing its dishes. Another traditional tavern that is famous for the delicious meals it offers in Agios Athanasios, Pella, is the shelter. There, you will find a cozy atmosphere full of warmth and a variety of traditional specialties, many of which are cooked in a stone oven. Some of the most famous recipes of the shelter are the steamed cuttlefish and of course the spit-grilled meat.
Finally, if you are in the village square, you can visit the restaurant Maria, which was named after its owner. The restaurant serves delicacies such as chicken with plums or burger paired with oatmeal and turmeric. Regardless of which restaurant you choose to dine in Agios Athanasios, you are sure to be completely satisfied, as the delicacies offered by the taverns of the village, is one of the things that impress its visitors.
Places to stay in Agios Athanasios of Pella
The wonderful warm and cozy atmosphere that you will find in Agios Athanasios of Pella, has to do with not only its restaurants, but also the wonderful picturesque accommodation that it has. Most hotels are located within the settlement, which means that staying there, you will have the opportunity to have many walks in the picturesque village. The hotels, even those that are newly built, are in line with the traditional architecture of the village, thus they are offering you a hospitality experience from another era. It is worth noting that despite their picturesqueness, the hotels of Agios Athanasios offer all kinds of amenities to their visitors.For instance, in many hotels of Agios Athanasios of Pella there are stone fireplaces inside the rooms and in some there’s even a jacuzzi.
Before you leave from Agios Athanasios of Pella, we suggest you buy a traditional spoon sweets from the local shops and a bottle of some rich local wine, as souvenirs from your trip to this small mountain paradise.
Agios Athanasios of Pella is a fairytale place that will be carved in your memory as it is a typical example of the beauty of Macedonia! Alpha Drive is always ready to fully cover your car rental needs in Thessaloniki and Halkidiki, so you can discover all the beautiful destinations you can visit in the wider region of Northern Greece.
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