Oktonia

Oktonia covers an area of 34,000 stremmata or 8,402 acres. Below the Kallimani Mountain, which is still bare from the fires during Ottoman rule, the village lies amidst dense forest at an elevation of 400 meters. Oktonia overlooks the hill of Oksilithos, the plain, and neighboring villages and offers a splendid view of the Aegean Sea.

The climate of the village is mild, dry and healthy. Winter temperatures are not too cold and it is pleasantly cool in the summer due to the low humidity. The sea and land air are especially beneficial for people with respiratory conditions.

View on the way to Mourteri settlement.

Oktonia has a great deal of arable land and plenty of water, making it ideal for the cultivation of agricultural products. There are large olive groves and the primary products are olive oil and onions. The largest part of the village itself is in the midst of walnut and plane trees, among others.

Stock-breeding is widespread in Oktonia. Herds of goat and sheep graze the hills freely.

Finally, there are many opportunities for professionals and amateurs alike to fish the abundant seas in close proximity to the village. Beaches such as Bournia are frequented by local people and visitors.

Scattered among the four settlements of the village are a number of ornate fountains, some old and others new, each with its own story. The best known are: Marinou, Sgourou, Skoura, Karvouniari and Mitsara in Panohori (upper village), and Voivonta in Alonia, Ambades in Panagia and Soor in Katohori (lower village).

St. Demetrios of the Waterfall

In 1921, by Royal Decree the St. Dimitrios' church became a Prominent Monument of the State.

The church remains today an important religious, historic and artistic monument. The monastery, which was located on the site, was a spiritual center inspiring freedom-fighters for the 1821 Revolution and also supplying the Greek Revolutionary ships that were in the sea of Markourio. This role in the Revolution resulted in the capture of the abbot of the monastery, Paisios, who was put to death by impalement.

The church interior is completely covered with extraordinary post-Byzantine paintings (1600), which depict a wide variety of religious themes in original, colorful compositions. It was deemed a Prominent Monument of the State by Royal Decree in 1921. As such, it took its place among the important Byzantine and post-Byzantine monuments of Greece such as the Monastery at Daphne and Osios Loukas.

Kastri

On the slopes of the mountain of Oktonia, Kallimani, is the area of Kastri, which took its name from the medieval castle (Kastro) located on the mountain. From the Kastro all the other medieval castles in the area were visible: the Castle of Dragoneras, the Tower of Kipon, etc. All of these castles were able to communicate among themselves by lighting torches on their towers. During the years leading up to the Revolution of 1821, the people of Oktonia took refuge in these fortresses against the attacks of the Turks who were under the leadership of the Pasha of Karistos, Ontabassin. Following a treasonous act, the castle was besieged and bombarded. The women and children fled to other areas, the aged and the weak were slaughtered and the fighters escaped to the mountains in order to organize their subsequent revolutionary actions. In retribution, the Turkish fighters burned the monastery of St. Demetrios and the entire area around Oktonia.

Inside the castle walls is the Church of the Transfiguration of the Savior (Metamorphoseos tou Sotiros). On this site people sacrificed their lives for the cause of freedom. It has become a place of pilgrimage; visitors come for prayer, giving thanks, and glorifying God. Beside the church is a well fed by a cistern which gathered rain water to meet the needs of the people when the castle was under siege. From the castle, visitors have a panoramic view of Oktonia and the villages of Kimi. The castle can be reached by car.

In close proximity to the Kastro, on the side of the mountain facing Oktonia, is a cave four meters deep with an entrance three meters high. The approach to the castle may also be made by following a footpath which begins at Gorthia, a little below the Voivonta Fountain.

St. George at Koutsouro

St. George at Koutsouro, the Taxiaches (Archangels) at Kotsikia, the Presentation of the Virgin at Papavlassa and St. John the Theologian at Karvouni are noteworthy churches in the area.

There are about seventeen new churches scattered in various locations in the area. Of special interest among these churches are the historic church of Zoodochos Pigi in Tsouka and St. John the Baptist which is between Alonia and Panagia.

Agios Merkurios beach

Along the ten kilometer sea coast of Oktonia are the beaches of Mourteri, Agios Mercurios, Bournias, Graves, Limionari, Aili and Kalami.

View from the top of mount Kallimani

Some of the caves along Cape Punta provided hiding places for people of Oktonia escaping the Turks. They waited for passing Greek ships to take them to other islands.

From the peak of Kallimani Mountain (elevation 750 meters) visitors have a panoramic view of the coast and the Aegean. Skyros and the Northern Sporades Islands can also be seen.

Boti's Cave (Tripa)

Botis Cave (Tripa) is in the area of Kakorrema (after Drimo) and has stalactites and stalagmites. It can be accessed by car, followed by a 15-minute hike. For the descent, a rope is required.

Around the top of the mountain of Kallimani there are other caves including:

1. The cave Agiasma or Graspilaia situated at Askala a short distance from Boti's Cave (Tripa). Finds here include ceramic objects and shards, and bones from thr Proto-Helladic period (3200-2000 BC).
2. The Cave of Zoodochos Pigi is a small cave in the church yard in Tsouka. The icon of the Virgin Mary was found in the cave, and the church of Zoodochos Pigi was built to honor it.
3. The cave at Pigadi is relatively close to Zoodochos Pigis. It is a horizontal cave with an entrance two meters high, width of 60 centimeters and length of four to five meters.
4. The Cave of Bonou or Bonista is located 200 meters from the cave at Pigadi. It has a length of five meters and depth of ten meters. Research inside the cave yielded a few prehistoric shards and many shards from the post-Roman historical period (4th-5th c. AD).
5. The Cave of Bourboula is found on the northeast side of Kallimani Mountain at an elevation of 400 meters. The entrance has a width of five meters and maximum height of three meters. The cave was used seasonally as a shelter for herds of goats.
6. The Cave of the Transfiguration (Metamorphoseos) is found at Kastri (Kastro of Oktonia) near the church. It has a depth of four meters with an entrance three meters high. Research yielded shards perhaps from prehistoric times and from more recent periods. The cave was used in the past as a shelter for herds of goats.