Kozani
Kozani
Κοζάνη | |
|---|---|
Settlement | |
 View of the center of Kozani from Agios Ilias hill | |
| Country | Greece |
| Administrative region | West Macedonia |
| Districts | 20 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Paris Koukoulopoulos (since 1991) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 366.018 km2 (141.320 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 710 m (2,330 ft) |
| Population (2001)[1] | |
| • Total | 47,451 |
| • Density | 130/km2 (340/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+3 (EEST) |
| Postal code | 501 00 |
| Area code(s) | +30 2461 |
| Vehicle registration | KZ |
| Website | www.kozanh.gr |
Kozani (Greek: Κοζάνη), is a city in northern Greece, capital of Kozani Prefecture and of West Macedonia periphery. It is located in the western part of Macedonia, in the northern part of Aliakmonas river valley. The city lies 710 meters above sea level, 15 kilometers north-west of the artificial lake Polyfytos, 120 km south-west of Thessaloniki, between the mountains Pieria, Vermio, Bourinos and Askio. Its population is estimated at about 70,000.
The climate of the area is continental with cold and dry winters, and hot summers.
Kozani is the home of the Technological Educational Institute of West Macedonia and the University of West Macedonia, with about 15,000 students from all over Greece and other places. It is also the seat of West Macedonia's court of appeal, police department, fire brigade, the seat of the I Army Corps of the Hellenic Army and of Servia and Kozani Bishop.
One of the most important aspects of local folklore is Kozani's carnival at the end of the winter, which retains much of the profanity of the ancient Dionysiac cult.
Kozani is renowned in Greece and abroad for the production of the Greek Macedonian Saffron (Krokos Kozanis), in the near town of Krokos.
Kozani is a transport node between Central Macedonia, Thessaly and Epirus. The nearest airport is Filippos Airport, 4 km from the city, IATA code: KZI. The airport was first opened in the mid-20th century. Kozani is situated near the Egnatia Highway, which connects the coast of the Ionian Sea with Thessaloniki and Turkish borders.
Etymology
The name "Kozani" probably derives from the South Slavic kožani < koža 'skin (goatskin)'.[2] The name of the city in South Slavic languages is Кожани (Kožani).
According to the prevailing opinion, the name comes from the village of Epirus Kósdiani, the origin of settlers of Kozani in 1392. The settlement was first named Kózdiani, which then, it was changed into Kóziani, and in the end into Kozáni. [2];
History
Neolithic times - Ancient period - Byzantine period
Antiquities from the prehistoric to the Byzantine period have been unearthed in many parts of the city. In the east part of Kozani, an ancient necropolis has been found, dating to the early Iron Age [3]
During Philip II of Macedon's reign, the region was named Elimeia. In the south-west of the modern city, in Siopoto hill, there was a settlement named Kalyvia, between 1100 and 1300, traces of which are still preserved.
Ottoman period - Balkan wars - modern times
Kozani was probably founded by Christian settlers who, after the Ottoman conquest, withdrew from the plains of Macedonia into the mountains, during 14th and 15th century. Its secure position soon attracted other Christians expelled from Epirus, in 1392. [4] Together with the settlers from Epirus, many cattle-breeders moved in the region.
The first recorded mention of Kozani is in an Ottoman register of 1528, as a settlement with 91 houses, 23 singles and 15 widows.[5]
One of the most important colonizers of Kozani was the chief shepherd Ioannis Trantas, who settled about 100 families. [6] His son, Charisios Trantas, managed to obtain a Sultan's Firman in 1664, according to the terms of which the town came under the protection of the Sultan's mother, was endowed with many privileges, and became forbidden for the Turks to settle in.[7]
In 1664, the magnificent church of Agios Nikolaos was built. In 1668, the library and the famous school of Kozani were founded. During the 17th and 18th century, commercial relations with the countries of central Europe gave the opportunity for the city to flourish economically. During the 19th century, as foreigner travellers narrate, the population of the town was Greek, and was growing (Leake 1835:305 [8] and Bouè 1854:87[9]).
The town's growth was disrupted in 1770, because of conflict that erupted between Kozani's local inhabitants and Kozanite merchants in central Europe, who contributed to the town's prosperity; even more catastrophically, the city was pillaged by Turkish beys in 1770. A subsequent incursion by Aslan bey, in 1830, ravaged the city immensely. According to the 1904 population census, 12,000 Greeks and 350 Vlachs were living in Kozani at the time. [10]
The Greek army entered Kozani on 11 October 1912, during the First Balkan War, after its victory against the Ottoman army in the Battle of Sarantaporo. By this time, the population of the town was 12,000 Orthodox Greeks.[11] In 1923, during the population exchange between Greece and Turkey, about 1,400 Greek families from Pontus and Asia minor were settled in Kozani.
In the 20th century, the city grew tremendously, as lignite reserves in the area started being used by Public Power Corporation, making Kozani the foremost producer of electrical power in Greece.
An earthquake that occurred in the region on 13 May 1995, with an intensity of 6.6 on the Richter scale caused only property damage.
The city now combines modern with old architecture. Some magnificent buildings are the Clock tower, the Townhall, the Folklore museum, the "Valtadoreio" Gymnasium, the National Bank building, the "Ermioneion" Hotel and the mansions of Georgios Lassanis and Grigorios Vourkas. The "Koventareios" Municipal library, which is the second biggest in Greece, has 150,000 books, rare publications, valuable documents, and one of the rare copies of Rigas Feraios Charter.
Today Kozani is the administrative, commercial, economic, and transport centre of the region of West Macedonia.
Culture
Kozani carnival
The most interesting local celebration during the carnival[3] are the Fanoi (great bonfires), which lit at the squares of Kozani. Around them, people sing and dance mainly scoptic songs and local dances, such as the most known song in the region - the Enteka of Kozani ([4], [5]), often called Kozani's "national anthem". All celebrations become more exciting on the Sunday of the last week, after the carnival parade, when bonfires are lit all over the town which burn until the early morning hours.
Lassaneia festival
Events on the end of summer, which constist theatrical representations, concerts, athletic events etc. They are named "Lassaneia" from Georgios Lassanis, who was from Kozani and participated in the Greek War of Independence.
Niaimeros fair
Fair in the north side of the city in the Niaimeros place. It takes place in the first Tuesday of October. It was lasting 9 days (niaimeros = nine days), but now it lasts only 3 days.
Local holidays
- 11 October - celebration for the liberation of the city from the Turks.
- 6 December - Saint Nicolas day, Kozani's patron.
The municipal Band is named Pandora. It is founded in 1902, and it takes part in all the events and celebrations.
Economy
The city is mostly known for the important contribution to the Greek electricity supply, and a large part of the population works in the factories which produce electricity from coal (DEI - Greek national electrical company). In the region, it is produced the 80% of the electric energy of the country. Other famous products are marbles, Saffron (Krokos Kozanis), fruits, local wines and specialized arts and crafts industry. A lot of banks have branches in Kozani. The local bank is named co-operative Bank of Kozani.
The Commercial Exhibition of Kozani
It takes part in the Exhibition Center of West Macedonia in Koila Kozanis every September. Many firms from Greece and other Balkan countries participate especially with locals products.
Sites of interest
- Kozani Archaeological Museum.
- Kozani museum of folklore and natural history is a place worth visiting. It is built according to old Macedonian architecture, and in its 6 floors, visitor can see everything about the georgaphy, natural history, flora and animals of the region, as well as the history, the traditions and the past way of life in Kozani.
- Kozani Museum of modern local history.
- Kozani Museum of the Macedonian Struggle, a museum dedicated to the history of the Macedonian Struggle.
- The church of Agios Nikolaos 350 years old.
- Other attractions include the Grigorios Vourkas Mansion and the Georgios Lassanis Mansion. The second one lies in a central square, named Lassani Square.
- The Municipal Park Kouri, the Park of Agios Dimitrios where you can see the Cultural Center and the Municipal Theatre of Kozani, and the hill of Xenia with the nice view of all the city
- The bridge above the lake of Polyfytos. It is the longest bridge in Greece with 1372 meters length.
Sporting teams
- Kozani FC (Greek Fourth Division) Kozani F.C.
- FC Makedonikos
- Lassanis Kozanis BC
Communications
Media
| Newspapers | TV Stations | Radio Stations |
|---|---|---|
Historical Population
| Year | Population | Change | Municipal population | Change | Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 23,240 | - | - | - | - |
| 1981 | 31,120 | +7,880/ +33.9% | - | - | - |
| 1991 | 31,553 | +433/ +1.39% | 43,395 | - | 119/km² |
| 2001 | 38,591 | +7,038/ +22.3% | 49,812 | +6,417/+14.8% | 136/km² |
Transport
Kozani is accessed with Motorway Egnatia (or GR-2, or E90) from Ioannina and Thessaloniki, GR-3 (or E65) from Larissa and Florina, GR-4 and GR-20.
- By bus(KTEL) for the biggest Greek cities Athens (4 times/day - 470 km), Thessaloniki (every hour - 120 km), Larisa (120 km), Volos, Ioannina (160 km), Patra.
- By aeroplane (Olympic Airlines) the city is connected with Athens (4 times/week) from Filippos Airport which lies 3 km south-east of Kozani.
- By railway (OSE) to Thessaloniki.
The public transit in the city is provided by minibuses, and between the center and the municipal departments, it is provided by Transit buses. The traffic problems of the city have become more severe the last time.
Subdivisions and Zone of Alternate Urban Planning
Kozani has 20 municipal departments and it is developing into a nodal town of the Western Balkans, with areas and activities of a wider regional nature. Within this context, the municipality of Kozani is creating a modern satellite town, the Kozani Zone of Alternate Urban Planning (ZEP). The Municipal Corporation of alternate planning and development of Kozani S.A.(DEPEPOK) was established in order to implement the projects of the ZEP.
The ZEP is strategically located on 50 ha south-west of Kozani, and aims to become a model development centre, attracting an urban population and economic activities from throughout Western Macedonia in Greece and the Western Balkans.
Other known neighborhoods of Kozani are Sk'rka, Ipirotika, Gitia, Agios Athanasios, Platania.
The 20 municipal departments of Kozani are:
| Municipal Department | Population | Area (km²) |
|---|---|---|
| Kozani | 38,591 | 34.37 |
| Argilos | 284 | |
| Nea Nikopoli | 215 | |
| Alonakia | 365 | 10.98 |
| Anthotopos | 216 | 23.95 |
| Vatero | 725 | 17.95 |
| Kila (Kila - Kardia - Melissia) | 1,591 | 32.91 |
| kalamia | 262 | 7.26 |
| Kariditsa | 959 | 7.91 |
| Lefkovrisi | 1,078 | 6.50 |
| Lefkopigi | 1,234 | 26.46 |
| Lygeri | 151 | 12.83 |
| Metamorfosi | 444 | 19.90 |
| Xirolimni | 403 | 24.79 |
| Inoi | 147 | 22.27 |
| Petrana | 743 | 27.39 |
| Protochori | 617 | 11.25 |
| Ptelea | 172 | 12.20 |
| Skiti | 372 | 25.75 |
| Nea Charavgi | 1,253 | 18.32 |
| Municipality of Kozani | 49,812 | 343.00 |
Climate
The climate of the area is continental with cold and dry winters, and hot summers.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg high temperature °C (°F) | 6 (43) | 8 (48) | 11 (53) | 17 (63) | 20 (69) | 25 (78) | 29 (85) | 27 (82) | 25 (77) | 18 (66) | 13 (56) | 6 (43) | 17 (64) |
| Highest Recorded Temperature °C (°F) | 18 (66) | 18 (66) | 21 (70) | 27 (81) | 30 (86) | 36 (97) | 37 (99) | 35 (95) | 31 (88) | 27 (81) | 25 (77) | 16 (61) | 37 (99) |
| Avg low temperature °C (°F) | -1 (29) | 0 (32) | 1 (34) | 6 (44) | 10 (50) | 13 (57) | 16 (62) | 16 (61) | 13 (56) | 8 (47) | 4 (40) | 0 (33) | 7 (45) |
| Lowest Recorded Temperature °C (°F) | -16 (3) | -8 (16) | -11 (12) | -5 (23) | 2 (37) | 7 (46) | 11 (52) | 7 (45) | 7 (45) | -2 (28) | -5 (23) | -12 (9) | -16 (3) |
| Source: Weatherbase | |||||||||||||
Education
There are 18 Primary schools in Kozani, and another 8, in the municipal departments of Vatero, Kariditsa, Koila, Lefkovrysi, Lefkopigi, Nea Charavgi, Xirolimni and Petrana. The Gymnasiums of the city are 8, and there are two more in the municipal departments of Lefkopigi and Xirolimni. There are also 4 Lyceums, 4 Technical Schools (TEE), some Business Schools and one municipal Odeum.
Kozani is the home of the Technological Educational Institute of West Macedonia - one of the biggest in Greece (founded on 1976). Three of its Faculties are in the city - the Faculty of Administration and Economy, Technological Applications and Health. (The rest of them are in other places of West Macedonia). The seat of the University of West Macedonia [7] and its Faculty of Engineering, they are also in Kozani. The University was founded in 2002. The number of the students in the region is 15,000, and they come from all over Greece and other places.
Health
The General State Hospital of Kozani, "Mamatseio" or Mamatseio General Hospital operates since 1953. It is named after the donor of the building, Konstantinos Mamatsios, and it serves the needs of all the region. There are also a private general medical center and clinic, an Obstetric clinic, and two Psychiatric hospitals.
Notable people
- Ioannis Amanatidis, footballer
- Nikolas Asimos, composer and singer
- Elias Atmatsidis, Football goalkeeper
- Anna Diamantopoulou, politician
- Georgios Lassanis, scholar and politician
- Georgios Parakeimenos, educationist
- Georgios Sakellarios, educationist
- Georg Johannes Karajanis, great-great-grandfather of conductor Herbert von Karajan
- Ieroklis Stoltidis, footballer.
- Kalliopi Vetta, singer
Twinnings
Bristol, Connecticut, USA, since November 2, 1987.
Iaşi, Romania
See also
- List of mayors of Kozani
- Lake Polyfytos Bridge
- Kozani Municipal Stadium
- West Channel
- Technological Educational Institute of West Macedonia
- University of West Macedonia
- I Army Corps of the Hellenic Army
- Kozani National Airport "Filippos"
- Enteka dance
- Kozani FC
- Krokos Kozanis
References
- ^ De Facto Population of Greece Population and Housing Census of March 18th, 2001 (PDF 39 MB). National Statistical Service of Greece. 2003.
- ^ Babiniotis, Λεξικό της Νέας Ελληνικής Γλώσσας
- ^ Κώστας Δ. Ντίνας 2005. Το γλωσσικό ιδίωμα της Κοζάνης.
- ^ Μεγδάνης, Χ. 1820. Αγγελία παρί της αρχής προόδου της Ελληνικής Σχολης. Βιέννη.
- ^ Χατζηιωάννου Μ.-Χ. 2000:32. Η ιστορική εξέλιξη των οικισμών στην περιοχή του Αλιάκμωνα κατά την Τουρκοκρατία. Ο κώδικας αρ. 201 της Μονής Μεταμορφώσεως του Σωτήρος Ζάβορδας. Αθήνα: Κέντρο Νεοελληνικών Ερευνών/Εθνικού Ιδρύματος Ερευνών.
- ^ Γουναρόπουλος, Κ.Α. 1872:488-9. Κοζανιτικά. Αθήνα: Πανδώρα ΚΒ & Λιούφης, Π. 1924:44-5. Ιστορία της Κοζάνης (History of Kozani). Αθήνα.
- ^ [1]
- ^ Leake, W.M. 1835:305. Travels in Northern Greece. London.
- ^ Bouè, A. 1854:87. Recueil d' itineraires dans la Turquie d' Europe. Details topographiques et statistiques sur cet empire. Vienna.
- ^ Κωνσταντίνος Σπανός. "Η απογραφή του Σαντζακίου των Σερβίων", in: "Ελιμειακά", 48-49, 2001.
- ^ A. Chalkiopoulos (Χαλκιόπουλος, Α.) 1910:109. Εθνολογική στατιστική των Βιλαετίων Θεσσαλονίκης και Μοναστηρίου. Athens. & Χατζηιωάννου Μ.-Χ. 2000:37. Η ιστορική εξέλιξη των οικισμών στην περιοχή του Αλιάκμωνα κατά την Τουρκοκρατία.
External links
- Municipality of Kozani
- Perfecture of Kozani
- Periphery of Western Macedonia
- University of Western Macedonia
- TEI of Western Macedonia
- http://www.culture.gr/maps/macedon/kozani/kozani.html
- http://www.macedonian-heritage.gr/HellenicMacedonia/en/C3.6.html
- Filippos Airport
- http://www.mcm.aueb.gr/ment/spetses/Koutsompogera-Manolopoulou/kozani.htm
In Greek:
