TAXIARCHIS-HALKIDIKI

Mount Holomontas dominates central Halkidiki, a verdant region of incomparable beauty, with amazing view in every direction. Most of the local settlements are built around the foothills. However the eminently village of Holomonta, under its top, on the centre of its peak is Taxiarchis, there that blend into the all graphic roads of the mountain.

HISTORY

The existence of humans in the region of Holomonta dates thousands of years. Small settlements of lumberjacks, cattle-breeders and farmers were scattered all over the mountain. In the localities KERASIA, SCHISMENI PETRA, ITAMOS, SELOMA, PALAIKASTROS, PYRGOYDIA, you can find ruins of castles, houses or even laboratories. From the conjunction of these settlements resulted the current village, Taxiarxhis. Tradition connects the village of Taxiarchis, with Holy Mountain(Agion Oros) and more specifically with the Moni Docheiarioy and the “metochi” of Archangel Michail that had the abbey in the village. The old residents report primitive settlements, initially provisional and permanently afterwards, lumberjacks from the region of Katafigio-Pieria as well as lumberjacks from Lokobi (Stone)-Olympus.

In the period of Ottoman domination,Taxiarchis is reported as being an unmixed Christian village with the name Lokobi. Not a single Turkish family lived permanently in the region of the mountain. The residents kept the cleanliness of gender, maintained traditional morals and customs, were proud for their Greek origin and enjoyed a type of independence. The local residents devised many ways to fool the Turkish tax collectors to avoid paying the imposed taxes.

Taxiarchis took part in the Revolution of 1821 with a body of 100 men that linked with Emmanouil Papa. The consequences were tragic. The Turks burned the village, they killed and captured those who had no time to hide in the steep region of Arkoydolaka. Women and children found shelter for the winter in Agion Oros. But also in the Revolution of 1854, Taxiarchis offered its services in the body of Karatasoy. From the middle of 19th century, many well known schoolteachers have their origin from Taxiarchis and promoted the local schools. It is the Lokobi School that is maintained by the church and the residents.

Many people, in and outside from Halkidiki, took part in the Macedonian Struggle. They constituted armed guerrilla bodies and gave precious help in fights against the Bulgarians (In the central square dominates the statue of Captain Yannis Parliari). Taxiarchis gained its independence in 1912. Mount Holomonta was setting for the final battle against the Turks where they were finally defeated and pursued in their escape.

The people of Taxiarchis took part in all the Greek struggles, Balkan War, Minor Asia war,1st and 2nd World war. In National Resistance 1941-44, Holomontas was a secret place for Rebels. Many battles were given in the around the elevations, unimaginable trials that endured the villagers, especially from the Bulgarians. Many people got killed in the altar of Freedom. The village was named officially Taxiarchis in 1928 from his protector Saint, the Archangel Michail (Taxiarchis is one of his names). After the civil war, and its painful consequences, the village tried to build a new life.

(More elements in the book TAXIARCHIS- HALKIDIKI of Erato Zelliou – Mastorokosta)

Taxiarchis in the 21st century

Taxiarchis, for many decades was an isolated village, with only one main road. That isolation ended in the period 1994-2005. Now, there are many roads and scenic routes to and from every direction and they connect the village and the mountain Holomontas with Thessaloniki, Poligiros, Vrasta, Sithonia, Arnea, Agion Oros, Zervochoria and Egnatia Boulevard. The mountain and the beaches of Halkidiki are now connected.

Traditionally, the inhabitants are lumberjacks, sheppard’s, and seasonal workers in the fields of Poligiros. The builders and stone masons were and still are renowned for their skills. As in other mountain areas in Greece, people from Taxiarchis went as workers to other countries in the 50’s and 60’s. Around 1970 starts the cultivation of FIR Christmas trees that boosts the income of the population.

In the decade of the mid 90 's and in particular after the year 2000 the region of Holomonta has become one of the most favorite destinations for alternative and agrotourism as the tourist activities developed rapidly. The mountain route (i.e. the part of the old road – Thessaloniki-Ouranoupolis from Palaiokastro – of Taxiarchis and up to Arnea) is registered in the most picturesque paths in Greece. Together, with other scenic roads and paths, enables the visitor to enjoy the immense lush landscape, the dense forest with its wide variety of trees, shrubs, aromatic plants, and by the stunning views in each direction. One can escape their daily routine and get off the beaten path, to enjoy the natural delights such as small streams, waterfalls, and enjoy the fresh air of the mountains and try out a variety of activities (climbing, horse riding, cycling, archery etc.).Taxiarchis attracts visitors to the Church, the Museum and the preserved buildings, the old mansions, the narrow alleys, the sources (Tsipotoura and Down Pit), the holidays and celebrations. Let us hope that this development is to be mild with respect for the environment, the culture and the traditional activities of the population.

Note: Taxiarchis was a community until the year 2000 when it joined in the wider municipality of Poligiros. The settlement starts on 550 m (altitude from the sea) and go as far as the 715 m. If we include the tourist facilities, the altitude is around 1000m. In 2001 the population of Taxiarchis was 1078 inhabitants.

(More information for Taxiarchis of 21st century you will find in the book Mountain Holomontas-Taxiarchis Halkidiki of Elia Sarri, that will be republished soon.)