Ammouliani island
The island’s History
Visiting the island unwraps the most beautiful moments of a long tradition.
Ammouliani is the only inhabited island of Central Macedonia with a permanent popoulation (600 inhabitants). It is located in the Gulf of Mount Athos and is 130km from Thessaloniki, linked by ferry boat to the opposite coast of Tripiti (Ammouliani-Tripiti 2 nautical miles). The ferry routes are regular and often during the summer days.
Until 1925, the island was a metohi (church property) of Holy Monastery of Vatopedi, of Mount Athos, then inhabited mainly by 2-3 monks, who were managing the land property, having approximately 20 assistants from the surrounding area. They were occupied with the fields’ cultivation, olive plantations, and grazing animals. At the early of 1925, the island was vested to the refugees who came from Minor Asia, and later from the islands of Propontis (Galleme, Passalimani, Skoupia).
Coming from these areas, which were neighboring with Constantinople, the refugees brought with them their culture, customs and their tradition. Having the knowledge of living with and by the sea, they concentrated on fishing and managed in a few years to stand out for their craft.
The tradition
The local women cook their local secret recipes. Aromas and tastes that the visitors find in the traditional restaurants of the island. They meet each other at the Folklore museum and make embroidery and sweets, show the visitors the almonds flowers which they knead with much dexterity and using marzipan. At the Folklore Museum the visitors also find the history of the island through its exhibits a stone built building dating back in 1907 as monastery property of Holy Monastery Vatopedi. The refugees that came later used the building as a school with a kitchen and dining rooms.
Nowadays the building is used as a Folklore Museum and exhibits the collection of the Cultural Association of Ammouliani, with tools, costumes, relics, photos, and more. During the summer the locals revive their customs through celebrations and feasts.