Right at the heart of Strymonikos gulf, between the Thessaloniki-Kavala national road and the green-blue Aegean Sea, is located the village of Nea Vrasna.

The village was in fact created when residents from the old village of Vrasna moved here. Today the population of Nea Vrasna is about 2000 people, a notable fact once you realize that this removal took place the past 40 years.

The village Aspri Valta was built at the early of 16th century, to the south edge of mountain Kerdyllia, far away from the sea. According to documents of that time, found at the monastery's Simonos Petra archive, the area was covered by a luxurian forest that was used from monastery Koutloumousiou of mountain Athos.

The area had become extremely dangerous cause the vegetation provided an ideal hideout to thieves and murderers. That's why the monastery decided to clear the area and built the village.

Build on the down hills of mountain Cholomontas, named Sougliani, just 800m away from the sea, the village of Anw Stavros is known for its great climate and the panoramic view that offers for many centuries to its residents and visitors. 

It is believed that residents from the ancient villages of Argilos, Vormiskos, Avlona and Stagira first inhabited the village when they searched for protection high on the hills. It is also believed that the name of the village came out with an alteration of the name Stagira. (Stagira – Stagiros – Stagros – Stavros. Another theory justifies the name of the village Stavros cause of the cross point it was located, between of roman Via Egnatia and the path to mountain Athos.