Angelochori is located just 30 kilometers from the center of the city of Thessaloniki.
BRIEF HISTORY
This was also created during the population exchange of 1923, but most of the 740 families of the original settlement were dispersed to other settlements in the Prefecture of Thessaloniki, but also in the Prefectures of Kavala, Imathia and Halkidiki. Angelochori originally belonged administratively to the Community of Epanomi from 1918 to 1926 when it was detached together with the Prefecture of Michaniona and the Prefecture of Kerasia and formed the Community of the Prefecture of Michaniona. Then in 1951, Angelochori was a separate community until 1997, when it joined the Municipality of Michanionas and then in 2010 to the current Municipality of Thermaikos.
INTEREST TO THE VISITOR
The beach of Angelochori is an oasis of relaxation with crystal clear cool waters and a beautiful view of the city of Thessaloniki and the imposing mass of Olympus. Toward Thessaloniki, the area has small coves, some of which are accessible by car, where one can enjoy the sea calmly and discreetly (more importantly than those of Ormos Angelos). On the beach towards the side facing Pieria and Mount Olympus is the port of Angelochori, where fishing boats of coastal fishermen are stationed. On the adjacent coast one can enjoy swimming, while the climatic conditions favor water sports (kyte surfing, wind surfing). For this purpose, one can also find companies providing corresponding services and renting the necessary sea sports equipment. After swimming and water sports, the local taverns are suitable for enjoying seafood and not only food.
A reference point of the area of high environmental importance is the lagoon of Angelochori, a separate wetland of northern Greece, which belongs to the officially protected sites of the Natura 2000 network, having the peculiarity of combining different types of habitats. The lagoon is located 1 kilometer southwest of the village, spreads over a total of 3,772 acres and is (roughly) square in shape. It is joined by salt marshes and separated from the sea (Thermaikos gulf) by a narrow, sandy strip of coast. Its depth is very shallow, while around it there is rich flora, with reeds, sea lilies, burla and asphodels.
Its importance is due to the fact that it acts as a migration station and a feeding ground for a large number of aquatic and waterfowl. Thanks to their populations, the Angelochori lagoon offers unique images. Flamingo populations, for example, provide a spectacular sight – especially in winter, when their greatest concentrations are usually recorded. In addition to birds, the lagoon hosts other species of life of particular interest to the observant visitor. Next to the lagoon, one can also find the installation of the salt pans of the HELLENIC SALTS S.A. company, where a total of 4,000 tons of salt are produced annually. In the area is also the now widely known “House of the Keeper of Aliki”, in the vicinity of which, during the beautiful summer evenings, musical and other artistic events of a mild nature are held.
In Angelochori there is a newer monument of industrial heritage, the Angelochori Lighthouse. It was built in 1864 by the French Company of Lighthouses, with a height of 11 meters. In 1913 it joined the Greek lighthouse network. In 1883-1885, German technicians built forts, following the order of the Ottomans, to control the Thermaic Gulf, which the Germans used in the occupation and turned the lighthouse into a machine gun, due to its strategic location. One of the five concrete cannons that they built there survives to this day.
