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Agios Athanasios
Agios Athanasios is a fantastic traditional village up in the Greek mountains, in the Pella regional unit of Macedonia, Greece. The village is located north of Lake Vegoritida and is a popular tourist resort especially during winter, due to its close proximity to the Voras Ski Resort on Mount Kaimaktsalan. Built at an altitude of 1,200 meters above sea level on the slopes of Mt. Kaimaktsalan, the village retains its traditional character with stone-built houses with tiled roofs, beautiful cobblestone alleys, and traditional hotels and guest houses. There are plenty of bars, coffee shops and restaurants and a good choice of accommodation as well. The village is very quiet during summer, but it gets busy and very lively in winter when people from all the surrounding areas and neighboring Balkan countries flock to Agios Athanasios for a relaxing weekend and to visit the Ski Resort of Voras.
Due to its unique architecture, the village of Agios Athanasios has been a listed landmark since 1992. This charming little village is a perfect weekend gateway if you want to escape from the bustling city life and spend a few days up in the Greek mountains. At the edge of the village, you will find the three-aisled wooden-roofed basilica of the Ascension, built in the 17th century as well as the church of Agios Athanasios at the top of the homonymous hill. From the courtyard of the latter, you can enjoy a stunning view of Lake Vegoritida and the lakeside villages. The village’s location near Lake Vegoritida gives also visitors the chance to indulge in water activities and discover the stunning landscapes around Agios Athanasios. Furthermore, there are many roads for off-road driving which lead to the villages Loutraki, Kerasia, Panagitsa and Achlada. The village is 30 kilometers from Edessa and 120 kilometers from Thessaloniki.
Τhe village was built in the late 16th century and was a thriving farming community until the ‘70s. In 1981, a big earthquake destroyed most of the houses. Local population abandoned the village and moved down the slope and built a new village, the so-called New Agios Athanasios. Even though the old village remained abandoned for a long time, with the construction of the ski resort in 1995, things were reversed. Many people returned and restored the ruined houses, turning them into traditional guesthouses. Today, Agios Athanasios is a hidden gem in northern Greece, waiting to be discovered. Its history, magnificent architecture, and breathtaking natural beauty, make this charming destination worth visiting throughout the year, with each season offering its own allure and colors. Whether you are seeking a beautiful place to escape for a weekend, a traditional village near a ski resort or an adventure up in the Greek mountains, Agios Athanasios has something for everyone.
