St. Paul’s Spring (Nea Fokea) is a small, historically significant site located in the village of Nea Fokea on the Kassandra Peninsula of Halkidiki, Greece. It is associated with St. Paul the Apostle, who is believed to have visited the area during his missionary journeys in the 1st century AD.
Key Highlights:
📜 Historical and Religious Significance
- According to local tradition, St. Paul sought refuge in a small cave near Nea Fokea while fleeing persecution.
- The spring within the cave is believed to have provided him with drinking water, hence the name “St. Paul’s Spring.”
- The site is a place of Christian pilgrimage, especially during the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul on June 29.
🕍 The Cave and the Tower
- The cave is accessible through a narrow passage leading to a small, dimly lit chamber with the spring.
- Nearby stands a Byzantine tower, often called the Tower of St. Paul, built in 1407 by monks from the Mount Athos Monastery of St. Paul.
- The tower was likely used as a lookout and refuge and now complements the religious aura of the area.
🌄 Visiting Today
- The site is open to the public and easy to access from the main road in Nea Fokea.
- Visitors can walk through the cave, see the spring, and enjoy the view from the Byzantine tower.
- It’s a peaceful and spiritually resonant place, blending natural beauty with religious tradition.
