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On the western coast of northern Halkidiki’s Kassandra peninsula, where a medieval tower rises above one of Greece’s best-known summer resorts, archaeological research has commenced to reveal a more detailed picture of the area’s economic life during antiquity.

An investment of 1.3 million euros is supporting two heritage projects at Sani: archaeological research at the Pindakas site and the restoration of the Stavronikita Tower, linking the protection of archaeological remains with the broader effort to make cultural heritage part of the sustainable development of tourism destinations.

The initiative is being carried out in cooperation with the culture ministry, the ephorate of Antiquities of Chalkidiki (Halkidiki) and Mount Athos, local bodies and academics.

The archaeological research at Sani-Pindakas began in May 2025, with more than 900 square meters having so far been excavated, revealing two substantial building complexes that point to an area with significant productive and economic activity.

The southern complex includes wine presses and installations associated with wine production. The northern complex contains an olive press, workshop and storage areas, a storage room for large ceramic vessels and a cistern.

The scale and character of the remains — including monumental architecture, marble floors, an imposing entrance and indications of an upper floor — suggest that this was more than a modest rural installation. The finds date from the 2nd century B.C. through the 6th century A.D., providing evidence of successive phases of occupation and use.

The discoveries are particularly significant because they add material evidence to a wider archaeological picture of Kassandra as a productive and commercially active part of the ancient landscape of Halkidiki.

Academic research has documented agricultural production and processing across the peninsula during the Hellenistic and Roman periods, including the cultivation and processing of olives, wine and grain. Archaeological evidence from Kassandra has also been used to examine the relationship between agricultural estates, craft production and settlement patterns as the region developed under Roman rule.

At Sani itself, earlier excavations have indicated occupation extending across several periods. Archaeological evidence from the area has been associated with the ancient city of Sani, while excavations have also revealed evidence of agricultural and domestic activity in the surrounding landscape. The location is thought to have occupied an important position on the western side of the Pallene peninsula.

The new research therefore offers more than an isolated archaeological discovery. It provides another piece of evidence for how production, storage and processing were organized in an area whose modern identity is dominated by tourism.

The current excavation phase is expected to continue through 2027. About 900,000 euros has so far been committed to the excavation and associated works, with total funding for the archaeological research expected to exceed one million euros.

Restoring a Medieval Landmark

A second part of the initiative concerns the Stavronikita Tower, a medieval monument that has become inseparable from the modern cultural identity of Sani.

The tower dates to the second half of the 14th century or the beginning of the 15th century and stands on a low hill overlooking the surrounding area. Regional archaeological sources place it within a landscape associated with the ancient settlement of Sani, while its medieval role was connected with the fortified protection of the Stavronikita monastery estate.

The restoration study, funded by Sani/Ikos, was approved by the ministry following a unanimous opinion by the Central Archaeological Council.

Under the approved plan, Sani/Ikos is providing a 300,000-euro donation to the Greek state for restoration works scheduled for 2026-2027. The project includes repairs to the masonry, protection against moisture and rainwater and the construction of a protective roof over the monument’s interior.

The intervention is intended to preserve a structure that has survived for roughly six centuries while allowing the tower to remain part of the contemporary cultural landscape of Sani.

That landscape is perhaps most visible each summer when the tower becomes the backdrop for Sani Festival.

Established in 1992, the festival has developed from a small jazz event into a major international music programme. Its 2026 edition marked 35 years of activity and, according to the festival, has now presented more than 400 concerts and performances featuring Greek and international artists.