Hortiatis Mountain

What I can see

Hortiatis is the closest mountain to Thessaloniki, with an altitude of 1.082m. The view of Thessaloniki, Halkidiki and lakes Koronia and Volvi are rather unique from the top. The vegetation is sparse in some places and elsewhere is dense. Chestnut trees, oaks, beeches, firs, anemones, cyclamens, orchids, lilies, geraniums and other plants dominate the mountain. An endemic plant is Crocus biflorous. The mountain is ideal for walks, hiking, biking on off-road tracks and running. On a plateau near the top is a fortress, that has been useful for the protection of Thessaloniki from antiquity to this day. At the top is an ancient enclosure with walls and inside are ancient architectural remains from the 6th or the 4th century BC till the Byzantine period.

What I can't see

The mountain covering an area of 20,855 acres was called Kissos until the Byzantine period, coming from the –probably of Thracian origin- eponymous ancient city, where the founder of Thessaloniki, Cassander, imposed merging it with other 25 cities for the founding of Thessaloniki. The name “Hortiatis” emerged during the Byzantine period, coming from the monastery Hortaiti or Horteti. In the village of Hortiatis, one of the greatest war crimes by the Nazis was committed. In retaliation for the death of a German officer, 149 people were executed, and 300 houses were burned, 109 of whom were women and girls. The women were raped beforehand. Many of the victims were burned alive in the village square. The others were transferred to a bakery and were shot through a small window. Afterwards, they set it on fire and whoever attempted to escape was stabbed.

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