01
FOURKA
Fourka Kassandra
Fourka is a municipal district of the municipality of Kassandra in the prefecture of Halkidiki in northern Greece. It was probably founded in the 16th century from the amalgamation of smaller settlements. Throughout the Turkish rule, it was one of the 12 villages of the peninsula and was a waqf of Ghazanfer Aga. Fourka as a settlement is divided into the traditional village (Fourka) and the seaside settlement (Skala Fourkas. The two settlements are 3.0 kilometers apart. The residents of Fourka participated in the revolution of 1821. Great fighters of the revolution of 1821 were George Rigas and George Filippopoulos who took part in many battles in southern Greece.
02
TEMPLES
The central church of Fourka is dedicated to the Three Hierarchs and was built according to the plans of Fourkiot Architect Xenophon Paionides. Behind the sanctuary of the church is a monument to the fallen Fourkas of Chalkidiki Fourkiots during the period 1840 – 1930.
The church of Agios Athanasios, which was built in the first Christian times, is located in the village cemetery and has admirable frescoes.
The church of Zoodochos Pigi is located in the Mavroutsa area on the mountain, in the place where there used to be a settlement which was destroyed by pirates. It was frescoed, but today only a small fresco survives.
The Church of Panagia Meletis is located on the opposite mountain, it is cruciform with a dome (perhaps unique in Kassandra) and it is also located in a place where there used to be a settlement.
03
FOURKA
The rural village
Fourka is an inland rural village of stone houses and chapels, which include the ruins of the Byzantine-era church of St. John. Casual tavernas around the village’s central square serve Macedonian seafood dishes. Paths through the surrounding olive groves, pine forests and meadows lead to the nearby beach resort of Skala Fourkas, where popular beach bars and sunset viewing spots to the west overlook Thermaikos Gulf.
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Skala Fourkas
Skala Fourkas
Archaeological finds at Fourka Beach
Skala Fourka or Fourka Beach is the port of Fourka and consists mainly of residential complexes and tourist facilities. Historic buildings exist on the beach, including old fishermen’s cottages and a historic warehouse. A rare mill survives, where pine bark was ground to produce powder that was boiled and used to dye fishing nets. As the nets were made of cotton, this treatment made them durable and for this reason fishermen came to Skala Fourkas from many regions, even from the Sporades. An early Christian temple has also been found near the coast.