Filotas brings together traces of the past with the annual Klidonas custom, observed in June in honor of Saint John the Baptist. The historical connections are spread across one specific archaeological site and other places nearby; Klidonas has its own connection to the calendar year. Thus, in Filotas, a place-specific view of the past sits alongside a recurring annual custom.

Archaeological traces of the past

The oldest finds at the Ampelia - Ornithones archaeological site date from the Early Neolithic period. Settlement at the same site continued into the Hellenistic and Roman periods. This links two historical reference points to this specific place: the oldest finds and the later continuation of settlement. Anyone interested in Filotas’s archaeological history will find a clearly defined focus here, encompassing both early finds and a later settlement phase.

Scattered settlement remains were discovered at Tsairia, Tourkou o Mylos, Ampelakia, and Lofos in the vicinity of present-day Filotas. They date from the Early and Late Bronze Ages, the Iron Age, and later historical periods. These sites extend the geographical perspective beyond Ampelia - Ornithones. It is important to distinguish between their locations: Ampelia - Ornithones is the specific archaeological site, while the other four names refer to sites in the vicinity of present-day Filotas. The archaeological connections therefore comprise one site with the oldest finds and later settlement, as well as several surrounding places with scattered remains. For travelers with an interest in history, the distinction is clear: one specific archaeological site and several sites in the surrounding area, each with its own historical connections.

Klidonas as an annual June custom

Klidonas offers a different cultural focus. In Filotas, this traditional custom is observed every year in June in honor of Saint John the Baptist. June is the specific month to bear in mind if you would like to take the custom into account when choosing your travel dates. Unlike the archaeological sites, Klidonas refers to a recurring custom in the annual calendar.

Before traveling, check the specific event dates if you would like to plan your trip around Klidonas; the annual June custom provides the general timeframe. This is a useful guide if you want to make a cultural event the focus of your trip and have flexibility with your travel dates.

Which cultural perspective suits your trip?

For your planning, there are two cultural approaches to choose from: Ampelia - Ornithones and the other archaeological sites give the historical perspective a specific geographical setting, while Klidonas provides a seasonal focus. If you are mainly interested in archaeological traces, the emphasis is on the site, its surroundings, and the historical periods. If the annual custom matters more to your trip, the focus shifts to June. This comparison helps you choose a theme: you can explore historical traces by visiting the sites, or focus on the season in June.

Discover more destinations: Tripotamos, Nymfaio, Variko, Agios Germanos, Vevi, Amíndaion, Lemos, Proti

For the main travel overview: Florina.