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| '''Giannitsa''' ({{lang-el|Γιαννιτσά}}, in English also ''Yannitsa'', ''Yenitsa'') is the largest city in the ] of ] and the capital of the ], in the region of ] in northern ].<ref name=Kallikratis> Greece Ministry of Interior {{el icon}}</ref> | '''Giannitsa''' ({{lang-el|Γιαννιτσά}}, in English also ''Yannitsa'', ''Yenitsa'') is the largest city in the ] of ] and the capital of the ], in the region of ] in northern ].<ref name=Kallikratis> Greece Ministry of Interior {{el icon}}</ref> | ||
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| Its population is 31,983 people (2011 census). The community of Giannitsa includes a few outlying villages (Mesiano, Melissi, Pentaplatanos, Archontiko, Ampelies and ]). The municipality as a whole includes many villages and has 63,122 inhabitants. The city is located in the center of Macedonia between the ] and the plain of Giannitsà, and is economic, commercial and industrial center of the prefecture of ]. ] (]) runs along the south of the city. | Its population is 31,983 people (2011 census). The community of Giannitsa includes a few outlying villages (Mesiano, Melissi, Pentaplatanos, Archontiko, Ampelies and ]). The municipality as a whole includes many villages and has 63,122 inhabitants. The city is located in the center of Macedonia between the ] and the plain of Giannitsà, and is economic, commercial and industrial center of the prefecture of ]. ] (]) runs along the south of the city. | ||
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| The city was founded as ''Yenice-i Vardar'' 'new (town) of Vardar' in around 1372. It was sometimes called ''Evrenos Beg yöresi'' 'Evrenos Bey's town'.<ref>], 2nd edition, ''s.v.'' </ref> | The city was founded as ''Yenice-i Vardar'' 'new (town) of Vardar' in around 1372. It was sometimes called ''Evrenos Beg yöresi'' 'Evrenos Bey's town'.<ref>], 2nd edition, ''s.v.'' </ref> | ||
Revision as of 19:43, 7 June 2014
For other uses, see Yenice (disambiguation). Settlement in Greece| Giannitsa Γιαννιτσά | |
|---|---|
| Settlement | |
 Alexander the Great Statue | |
| Country | Greece |
| Administrative region | Central Macedonia |
| Regional unit | Pella |
| Municipality | Pella |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Gr. Stamkos |
| Elevation | 42 m (138 ft) |
| Population | |
| • Municipal unit | 33,775 |
| • Community | 29,789 |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+3 (EEST) |
| Postal code | 581 00 |
| Area code(s) | 23820-2 |
| Vehicle registration | EE |
| Website | www.giannitsa.gr/ |
Giannitsa (Template:Lang-el, in English also Yannitsa, Yenitsa) is the largest city in the regional unit of Pella and the capital of the Pella municipality, in the region of Central Macedonia in northern Greece.
Its population is 31,983 people (2011 census). The community of Giannitsa includes a few outlying villages (Mesiano, Melissi, Pentaplatanos, Archontiko, Ampelies and Damiano). The municipality as a whole includes many villages and has 63,122 inhabitants. The city is located in the center of Macedonia between the Mount Paiko and the plain of Giannitsà, and is economic, commercial and industrial center of the prefecture of Pella. European route E86 (Greek National Road 2) runs along the south of the city.
The former shallow, swampy, and variable-sized Giannitsa Lake or Loudias Lake, south of the city, was drained in 1928-1932 by the New York Foundation Company.
About 7 km (4 mi) from Giannitsa are the ruins of ancient Pella, birthplace of Alexander the Great and capital of ancient Macedonia. The city is 48 km (30 mi) from Thessaloniki.
Name
The city was founded as Yenice-i Vardar 'new (town) of Vardar' in around 1372. It was sometimes called Evrenos Beg yöresi 'Evrenos Bey's town'.
The Turkish name, in the form Γενιτσά, was used until February 1926 when its name was Hellenized as Yannitsa/Γιαννιτσά. In other languages, the city is called: Ottoman Turkish Yenice-i Vardar ('new-town of Vardar', as opposed to Yenice-i Karasu, modern Genisea, near Xanthi and known for tobacco), Turkish: Yenice or Vardar Yenicesi,and Template:Lang-bg, Enidže Vardar or Пазар Pazar 'market'.
Population
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 31.983 |
| 2001 | 29.364 |
| 1991 | 22.504 |
| 1981 | 23.966 |
| 1971 | 21.188 |
| 1961 | 23.555 |
| 1951 | 20.187 |
| 1940 | 16.401 |
| 1928 | 12.785 |
| 1913 | 7.167 |
History
Prehistoric
In the area of "Old Market", on the southern hill of the city, there was an Early Neolithic settlement (late 7th to early 6th millennium BC); Giannitsa was also inhabited through the Bronze and Iron Ages. Incidental findings, such as coins, inscriptions, and sculptures indicate that the area was inhabited during the Hellenistic period . In ancient times, the area was called Bottiaea.
Ottoman
Though there was probably a pre-existing Byzantine castle in the vicinity, the importance of the city of Yenije begins with its foundation by Gazi Evrenos in around 1372. Yenije became the base of the ghazi followers of Evrenos who took Macedonia and later Albania. The city was an important Ottoman cultural center and sacred area in the 15th and 16th centuries. Starting in the mid-15th century, Giannitsa became a center of literature and the arts. Under Ahmet Bey, who was a descedent of Gazi Evrenos, many mosques, schools, workhouses and charitable projects were founded.
In the early 20th century, Yenije was a battleground between Bulgarian and Greek-Macedonian partisans in the Macedonian struggle. Penelope Delta's novel Secrets of the Swamp (referring to the shores of Giannitsa Lake) is a romanticised account of this from the Greek point of view.
Balkan wars
Yenidje "retained its emphatically Turkish character up to 1912" and members of the Evrenos family lived in the city in a large palace in the center of town until then. In the First Balkan War, the Battle of Yenidje (20 October 1912) was one of the most important battles the Greek army fought.
German occupation
The German army invaded Giannitsa on April 11, 1941 . On April 20, 1941 temporarily install some Austrian forces . The study of the records of the registrar municipality of Giannitsa confirms four random killings in various parts of the settlements of the city . On 16 September 1943 the Municipality of Giannitsa headed by the Mayor, Thomas Magriotis and the help of local soccer teams organize a demonstration in the city and indulge in German commandant a text against the intention of the Germans to surrender Central Macedonia to the Bulgarians . According to oral testimony on November 13, 1943 the Germans arrest around 50 people, which transfer to the camp of Pavlos Melas at Thessaloniki and they killed thirteen . At the same time the Germans invaded for the first time in the village Eleftherohori 7 km (4 mi) away from the city, steal and destroy . In this attack there were no casualties . On 23 March 1944 the village is burned, the place is deserted . The Eleftherohori gave 19 lives in the struggle . On 5 August 1944 the Austrian soldier Otmar Dorne left the German occupation army and joined the 30th Constitution of E.L.A.S, based in Mount Paiko. The fact of defection of Dorne, but the presence of the sergeant of the SS, Schubert, led to the mass execution on 14 September 1944 Giannitsa. About 120 residents of Giannitsa were executed by forces of the Jagdkommando Schubert with the collaboration Greek units under the command of G. Poulos . Among those executed was and the Mayor, Thomas Mangriotis . The Swedish ambassador, Tympergk indicate that one third of the city was destroyed by fire . The citizens leave the city. Emile Wenger visited Giannitsa few days after the mass execution, as a representative of the International, the Red Cross and writes features " Giannitsa is already a dead city ." On 20 September 1944 a citizens' committee Giannitsà has sent message to the National Government for stating the facts and asking weapons . The Germans fled Giannitsa on November 3, 1944 .
Landmarks
Monuments
Yenidje was an important center in the Ottoman period, and several important monuments survive: Tombs of Gazi Evrenos (Built in 1417) and Gazi Ahmed Bey, Kaifoun Baths, the Great Mosque, the Army Mosque, the hammam of Evrenos, and the Clock Tower (It was built from 1667 to 1668 by Ottomans. The choice of location was made with military criteria because they wanted to control the commercial activity that was taken place across the city throughout central Macedonia). These monuments have been declared historical monuments by the Greek Archaeological Service. Points of interest include also the Cathedral Church of Giannitsa (1860), the Neoclassical Multicenter, the tourist center "FILIPPEIO", the Macedonian tombs and the Prehistoric Settlement of Archontiko.
Museums
- The Military museum of Giannitsa, (opened 24/2/2012) displays photographs, texts, weapons, uniforms, medals and other materials, with a particular emphasis on the Battle of the Swamp and the Balkan Wars 1912-1913.
- The Folklore Museum of Giannitsa (opened 10/1977) by the "Philippos" History and Folklore Association to promote local history and traditions.
Statues
- Alexander the Great, near the Cultural Center, unveiled on 20 October 2009, the anniversary of the liberation of the city and the Day of the Macedonian Struggle.
- Philip II of Macedon, located in the park of the "Filippio" tourist center. Near the statue, there is a relief depicting the Macedonian phalanx.
- Black Statue - The Memorial of Giannitsà, erected at the eastern entrance to the town in 1926 in honor and remembrance of the battle of Giannitsà. (Sculptor: Gregory Zevgolis).
- Mass Grave, a list of the residents who were executed at the 1st Primary School on 14 September 1944 by German troops.
Economy
Giannitsa is predominantly a rural area. The draining of the Lake Giannitsà left fertile soil for agriculture, leading to population growth in the region.
Notable people
- Gazi Evrenos (died 1417), founder of the Ottoman city, whose mausoleum is in the center of town
- K̲h̲ayālī (died 1556), Ottoman poet
- Āgehī (died 1577/8), Ottoman poet and historian
- Georgios Gonos Giotas (1880 - 1911), revolutionary in the Macedonian Struggle
- Ahmet Derviş (1883-1932), military officer in the Ottoman and Turkish armies
Entertainment
The focus of the social life of the city is at the central pedestrian street, where people gather to eat and drink or to take a walk. Giannitsa was one of the first cities that founded Open Theatre (3000 seats) and became an institution for cultural events and big names in theater and music, every year, the last month of summer giving a culture festival character . Also various theatrical and musical events take place in a closed theater located internally of the Cultural Centre which has a modern architecture. In the first days of September there is a big market for about a week. Also DI.K.E.P.A.P. (ΔΗ.Κ.Ε.Π.Α.Π) is a charitable non -profit cultural organization founded in 1996 that develops music, visual arts, dance, film and other arts.
Loudias river
Seven kilometers (4.3 miles) south of the center is the Loudias River, which has a sailing center. The Nautical Club of Giannitsa (NOG) teaches canoeing, kayaking, and rowing.
Districts
- Center
- St.George
- St.Paraskevi
- Sfageia
- Sinoikismos
- Mitropoli
- St.Konstantinos
- Tsali (Nea Trapezounta)
- Filippeio
- Kapsali
- Palaia agora
Sports
The most popular team is the Anagennisi Giannitsa football team which plays at the Municipal Stadium.
There is a motocross track northwest of the city, in the foothills of Mount Paiko, where local, Greek, and European races are run.
At the river Loudias, there are rowing races in which the Nautical Club participates.
International relations
See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in GreeceTwin towns – Sister cities
Giannitsa is twinned with:
Crotone, Italy since 2010
New Britain, Connecticut, USA since 2010
References
- "Απογραφή Πληθυσμού - Κατοικιών 2011. ΜΟΝΙΜΟΣ Πληθυσμός" (in Greek). Hellenic Statistical Authority.
- Kallikratis law Greece Ministry of Interior Template:El icon
- http://www.macedonia.info/pellis.htm
- Encyclopedia of Islam, 2nd edition, s.v. Ewrenos
- Institute for Neohellenic Research, "Name Changes of Settlements in Greece" Genitsa/Giannitsa
- Εργαστήριο Δημογραφικών και Κοινωνικών Αναλύσεων Πανεπιστημίου Θεσσαλίας - Εργο e-Demography - Εκδόσεις ΕΛΣΤΑΤ - Απογραφές - 1928
- http://www.hellinon.net/NeesSelides/GianitsaNeolithika.htm
- http://www.pellanet.gr/index.php?com=page&item=20
- ^ Vasilis Demetriades, "The Tomb of Ghāzī Evrenos Bey at Yenitsa and Its Inscription", Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies (University of London) 39:2:328-332 (1976); Eleni Kanetaki, "The Still Existing Ottoman Hamams in the Greek Territory", Middle East Technical University Journal of the Faculty of Architecture 21:1-2:81-110 (2005); citing M. Kiel, "Yenice-i Vardar. A forgotten Turkish cultural center in Macedonia of the 15th and 16th century", Studia Byzantina et Neohellenica Neerlandica 3:300-329 (1971)
- http://www.24grammata.com/?p=4216
- Macedonian News M-N Μακεδονικά Νέα: Statue of Alexander the Great in Giannitsa
- http://www.freewebs.com/nog-1/history.htm
- Grecia e Magna Grecia: incontro Giannitsa e CrotoneTemplate:It
- New Britain Sister City Announces A Trip to Northern Greece
External links
- Δήμος Πέλλας, Official site-municipality of pella.
| Subdivisions of the municipality of Pella | |
|---|---|
| Municipal unit of Giannitsa |
|
| Municipal unit of Krya Vrysi |
|
| Municipal unit of Kyrros | |
| Municipal unit of Megas Alexandros |
|
| Municipal unit of Pella | |
,_First_Balkan_War,_Greece.jpg){kind=link}
| Administrative division of the Central Macedonia Region | ||
|---|---|---|
| ||
| Regional unit of Chalkidiki |  | |
| Regional unit of Imathia | ||
| Regional unit of Kilkis | ||
| Regional unit of Pella | ||
| Regional unit of Pieria | ||
| Regional unit of Serres | ||
| Regional unit of Thessaloniki | ||
| ||