ABSTRACT
The kastron of Hierissos, located on the northeastern shore of Chalkidiki, is the successor settlement of the ancient city of Acanthus. Ever since the foundation of the monasteries of Mount Athos (from the 9th century), there are many references to Hierissos in a plethora of Athonite documents, because of the geographical location and the long-lasting conflicts between Hierissos and Mount Athos over the fields of the region. The recent archaeological research carried out by the Greek Archaeological Service brought to light significant remnants of the extra muros parts of Middle Byzantine Hierissos of the 10th–12th centuries. Several important parts of the settlement have been revealed close to the seaport, such as workshops, warehouses, and a large part of the medieval cemetery. The archaeological finds, combined with the relevant information of the Athonite documents, provide an image of a wealthy Middle Byzantine community, with remarkable industrial, commercial, and agricultural production. The later development of the kastron of Hierissos depended on the evolution of its powerful neighbour, namely the monastic community of Mount Athos.
