Flegra

According to Greek Mythology Kassandra, Halkidiki (Chalkidiki) was known in ancient times as “Flegra” (place of fire) because of Zeus’s thunderstorms. The Giants, children of the Earth and Uranus, with wings on their backs and snakes on their heads, fought against the gods in the Flegra area and were defeated by them.  The Giants (Titans) were throwing huge rocks against the gods and the Olympians were striking them back by firestorms. The gods won, and some of the Giants were buried under the three peninsulas of Halkidiki.

This battle known as the Gigantomaxia (Giants battle) it’s the theme of this sculpture by Paraskevas Mageiras in Pefkohori, symbolizes the victory of the gods over the Giants.

According to a legend, Engelados – one of the Giants – was buried under a rock which was thrown at him by the Gods of Olympos. In that way, the giant called “Engelados-Sismos” (earthquake), is buried in Kassandra and because he tries to get rid of the rock over him his efforts cause earthquakes.

for those who love stories 🙂