Toroni is a village in the southwest of the Sithonia peninsula of the prefecture of Chalkidiki. Toroni has shown tourist development in recent years. After the coast of Tristinika and Toroni, guests can reach Porto Koufo’s tourist area. This settlement was also developed in recent years and a pier was created. Outside the harbor, which is the largest and safest in Northern Greece, we find the location “kartalia”, with rocky shores.
In the area, archaeologists have found traces of prehistoric settlement. The most important excavations took place in 1975. The town was founded by settlers from Chalkis, in the 8th century BC. and soon became one of the most important cities not only in Sithonia but also throughout Chalkidiki. He participated actively in the Persian Wars, as well as in the Peloponnesian War. In 348 BC was captured by Philip II and in 168 BC. the Romans. Since that time it has lost its significance and has become a small settlement, which was also destroyed during raids in the 6th and 15th centuries. In the latter case, the residents, due to the pirate raids, abandoned Toroni and fled to neighboring Sykia. In Byzantine times, the area was Metohi of the Monastery of Mount Athos. Today the ruins of the old city (in Vigla) are also preserved.
The monuments of Toroni include the castle of Leykithos and the early Christian church of Agios Athanasios, a three-aisled basilica of the 5th century. The church was destroyed by fire in the 6th century and a smaller temple was built in its place. During the German occupation, the port of Porto Koufo was used by the Nazis for war purposes.
