Chalkidona is a suitable destination for travellers who want to explore local history across several eras. The settlement already existed in Hellenistic times under the name Ichnae. Other historical points of interest include the medieval Bogomil cemetery and the post-Byzantine Church of the Apostles Peter and Paul, which is a protected archaeological monument. The village’s renaming to Nea Chalkidona in 1926 is also part of its historical story. These topics relate to different periods and offer a cultural-history focus when choosing your destination.

Hellenistic Settlement and Medieval Cemetery

The settlement of Chalkidona already existed in Hellenistic times under the name Ichnae (Ίχνες/Ίχναι). For travellers interested in local history, this name is a clear early reference point. It refers to the settlement itself, offering a different perspective from the later name given to the cemetery area. Chalkidona’s history, then, cannot be understood through just one historical name.

The Bogomil cemetery in Chalkidona dates from the medieval period. From the 10th century onwards, its area was called Drogoubitia, after the Slavic people known as the Draguvites. Drogoubitia therefore refers to the cemetery area, while Ichnae denotes the Hellenistic settlement. Distinguishing between these places and periods helps keep the two references separate. The time references also relate to different things: the classification as medieval describes the cemetery; from the 10th century onwards, the name Drogoubitia was used for its area. For a cultural-historical perspective, both the monument and the history of the name given to its area are significant.

Church and More Recent Local History

The Church of the Apostles Peter and Paul dates from the post-Byzantine period and is a protected archaeological monument. Its period distinguishes it from the medieval cemetery. Visitors interested in sacred buildings and archaeological heritage can include the church as a distinct cultural-history focus when choosing Chalkidona. Taken together, the church and cemetery point to different eras, offering more than one point of entry into the history of the place.

A more recent chapter concerns the renaming of the village: in 1926, by decision of the Greek government, it was renamed Nea Chalkidona, after refugee families had settled in the area following the population exchange. This event links a dated name change with the history of settlement after the population exchange. It is distinct from Ichnae, the name of the settlement in Hellenistic times, and Drogoubitia, the name used for the cemetery area from the 10th century onwards. This adds a specific connection to the more recent past to the early settlement and medieval history.

When choosing your destination, you can distinguish the historical highlights by era: Ichnae relates to the history of the Hellenistic settlement, the cemetery and Drogoubitia to the medieval period, and the church to the post-Byzantine period. The 1926 renaming adds a more recent chapter in local history. Chalkidona is particularly worth considering if historical names and monuments from different eras are part of your travel interests.

Discover more destinations: Diavata, Perivolaki, Angelochori, Neapoli, Agios Pavlos, Rentina, Agia Triada, Stavroupoli.

For the broader travel overview: Thessaloniki.