One of the largest and most significant settlements in the Municipality of Aristotle is Megali Panagia, known for its Great Pilgrimage, which attracts many visitors each year. The town, with approximately 2,592 inhabitants (Census 2011 – Government Gazette 3465, issue B / 28-12-2012), is built on the foothills of a hill called “Khtikela.” It is located 80 km from Thessaloniki. The village was once called Revenikia and officially took its current name in 1928. It is one of the oldest settlements in Halkidiki and is frequently mentioned in Byzantine documents of Mount Athos. In fact, a document from 1349 references the “castle of Aravenika” and a tower. During the Ottoman period, it was one of the most important Mandemochoria. In 1821, it was destroyed by the Turks. In 1932, many of its old and beautiful houses were collapsed by the destructive earthquake with its epicenter near Ierissos, and some were burned during World War II.
In the past, three small rivers ran through the settlement, but today only one is visible. A restored, stone, arched bridge with a thousand-year history still stands next to the paved road, connecting the two riverbanks. The residents are involved in olive cultivation, livestock farming, agrotourism, and timber harvesting. In the past, the village had skilled builders who worked at Mount Athos, as well as many weavers.
It is important to note that the settlement took its name thanks to the Great Pilgrimage of 1863, which is located 1.5 km away. However, the monastic complex is not the only one in the area. About 4 km away, on a passable dirt road, there is another monastery—a women’s monastery—called Panagia-Fovera Prostasia. The oldest church in Megali Panagia, however, is the so-called Panagouda, which, according to local tradition, was built in 1007 at the highest point of the settlement.
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The chapel, dedicated to the Dormition of the Theotokos, celebrates on September 8th. Another significant church is that of Saint Basil, built in 1955.
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