Anthidona was a Homeric Boeotian town on the coast of the northern Evoikos Gulf. The remains of the ancient city are about 15 kilometers northwest of Chalkida.
There are two versions of the name of the city according to Pausanias the traveler. It was named by a nymph named Anthidon or by Antha, the son of god Poseidon and Alkyon, the daughter the Titan Atlas.
The first mention of the city of Anthidon is made by Homer in the Iliad, and specifically in Rhapsody II, in the list of ships. In fact, Homer gives her the nickname “eschatosan” which means the most remote or, extreme, geographical city of the Boeotian to the northern Evoikos Gulf.
In ancient times Anthidonia was the port of Thebes in northern Evia.
The area is rumored that there were Kaveiriq sacred temples dedicated to Demeter and Dionysus and holy oracle.
The ancient city of Anthimona was a rich and prosperous city with beautiful monuments and especially, very important shipyards, since during the Peloponnesian war and on the Theban hegemony there was an economic bloom of Boeotia and surrounding areas.
Anthidona was also present in the Trojan expedition, as Homer mentions, and has a long and remarkable history.
One of the city’s greatest reasons for prosperity was the dyeing workshops it had, famous for its famous purple colour and exquisite purple garments were made. The purple colour was produced by the boiling of sea shells that were abundant in the area. The inhabitants were specialized in fishing for these shells that offered them a great income.
Excessive fishing or maybe an illness may, have resulted in the disappearance of these shells and today only some remnants can be found scattered in the surrounding beaches.
The tribe that inhabited the area was probably the Ionians, while the first fishermen of the purple shells the Phoenicians.
An important archaeological guide for the city of Anthidona was the ancient Greek traveler Pausanias with the mention in his work “Greek Travel” and specifically the volume “Boeotika”.
With the excavations that have taken place, important archaeological findings have come to light, including the temples of Kavers, the goddess Demeter and Persephone. Also near the town’s harbor there is also an early-Christian royal church of the late Roman era.
An important mythical entity was Glafkos of Anthidonia, who was a sea god.
He was a of Triton, a son of Poseidon described as a demigod of the sea, with his upper body being half man and the lower part of his body, a fish. The male version of a mermaid.
An ancient coin is preserved, at the Archaeological Museum of Chalkida, which depicts, the mythological representation of Glafkos.
Here the ships of the Ancient Phoenicians docked and transported the “porphyrias” shells for the production of the famous purple dye.
Tradition mentions that from this port of Anthidona, the famous ship ‘Argo’ left for the campaign that brought back the golden fleece.
The port of Anthimona was spacious for that particular time in history, also boasting two breakwaters, the entrance of which could be chained in order to protect the port from hostile raids, as well as from strong winds.
The city declined during the Byzantine period, due to pirates’ raids. This forced its inhabitants to retreat inland and specifically to the northern slopes of Mount Messapio (nowadays Ktypas) and to establish a stock-breeding settlement that was the nucleus of the present Lakisian community.
During their transition from the beach to the foothills of the mountain they carried building material from the earlier buildings with which the small temple of Ag. Georgios.
In the idyllic olive grove landscape, 500 meters from our estate and about 15 km from the city of Chalkida you will find the remarkable small Byzantine church of St. George or otherwise known in Greek as Agios Georgios.
The monument, according to its architectural elements, could be dated to the early 12th century. It is a small church, which belongs to the rare architectural type of aisleless, tetraconch with a dome, and stands out for its construction. Its walls are carefully constructed with carved limestones built according to the cloisonné system of masonry and its dome belongs to the “Athenian” type, is octagonal with limestone columns in the corners.
It is the haven of Loukissia, and is built on the ancient city of Anthidona. It features a beautiful promenade and is growing ng in tourism popularity. The beach is sandy, while its orientation is northern.
Just 15 minutes by car from the Anthidon Estate you will find the bustling city of Chalkida, filled with picturesque fish taverns and bars. World famous for the Euripus Phenomenon, where the water tide changes direction underneath the old bridge every six hours. The phenomenon once a mystery was solved. It came about by the moon. that every six hours the sea water rises (floods) and in the next six hours it goes down again (ebb).
The first who found out the cause of the phenomenon was Aristotle (384 – 322 B.C.) and Eratosthenes (275-195 B.C).
In the Anthidona region, where it was first mentioned by Homer in the Iliad, you will find the ANTHIDON ESTATE.
Set amphitheatrically, the estate blends in completely with the uniqueness of the scenery, combining a breathtaking mountainous and sea landscape with α stunning panoramic view of the Evoikos gulf.
On our estate, one can enjoy a unique agrotourism experience, clean air and a tranquil environment away from the bustling noise of the city.
Our visitor has the opportunity to live, feel and taste the true experience of nature, enjoying an environment of effortless luxury, of local character and comforts.
