NEA KARVALI - KAVALA
Akontisma
A CRADLE OF TRADITION, A HIVE OF CULTURAL ACTIVITY, AN AURATIC LAND TRADITION, CULTURE, ENERGY/AURA THE LAND OF TRADITION, CULTURE AND ENERGY/AURA
Due to its privileged location on an open, hilly land at the eastern end of the gulf of Kavala, with clear view of the Aegean Sea, Thasos and the peninsula of Mount Athos, the site attracted ancient Thasians, Macedonians and Romans, while the latter established a fortress on the northern part of the hill. The establishment served as a rest station for travelers of the ancient Via Egnatia road. Based on archeological findings, it is maintained that the hill was first inhabited as early as the 4th century B.C. Byzantine, Ottoman and, more recently, Cappadocian refugees followed and resided in this same hill. In modern years the hill sank into a state of desolation, until the Cultural Center of Nea Karvali decided to revive and promote this magical place as a folk village-settlement with modern facilities. The restoration of the settlement began in 1996 based on the architectural standards of the Turkish town of Gelveri (Karvali - named Güzelyurt today) in Cappadocia while incorporating elements from the traditional mountain settlements of Kavala as well. As a result, all the elements characterizing the impressive Cappadocian landscape but also the villages of the Macedonian countryside were preserved (stone-cobbled streets, squares, churches, greenery, colorful flowers) in order to bridge the important tradition and memories of the past with the latest trends of alternative tourism.
OUR VISION
Akontisma now continues its course in History with a new logo: a triadic, perennial, elapsing ‘‘kinesis’’ (movement), that symbolizes the driving force deriving from the fruitful collaboration between the Cultural Center of Nea Karvali (and its chairman Mr. Kaplanis Iosifidis), who have been managing the property since 1983, and the modern, creative outlook of a group of young people, who were attracted by the intense energy of this land from the very beginning. The vision of this collaboration is to create and run an exemplary settlement that will preserve and highlight its course in history from antiquity until today, while also serving as a multi-thematic attraction for visitors from all over Greece and the world. The main asset, of course, is the settlement itself, which actualizes the meaning of "all-inclusive" by offering everything one can look for: an unforgettable stay, attractions, leisure facilities, plenty of events-activities. All the above create the palimpsest of tradition and culture called Akontisma, worth discovering 365 days a year.
NEA KARVALI
The village of Nea Karvali is situated 500 meters away from Akontisma. It was built after the population exchange between Turkey and Greece on the remnants of the Ottoman village Tsirpinti. The village itself is a place worth visiting as well, especially at Christmas. On Christmas day beautiful celebrations are organized in front of the village hall. On the 5th of January you can enjoy the revival of a Cappadocian ritual named Saya. Meanwhile, you can try the famous «kourabiedes» Christmas cookies of the area. Of course, Nea Karvali is waiting for you at any time for food and coffee at its picturesque tavernas and cafés or for a break at its beaches nearby.
