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| Ancient '''Megalopolis''', or now '''Megalópoli''' (Μεγαλόπολη) is a town in the western part of the prefecture of ]. "Megalopolis" is a Greek word for ''Great city''. When it was founded, in 371 BC, it was the first urbanization |
Ancient '''Megalopolis''', or now '''Megalópoli''' (Μεγαλόπολη) is a town in the western part of the prefecture of ]. "Megalopolis" is a Greek word for ''Great city''. When it was founded, in 371 BC, it was the first urbanization in rustic and primitive Arcadia. In ancient times, the town grew very large. Its theater, known to have a capacity for 20,000 people was one of the largest known. In ] and ] times the city was known as ''Sinanou'' (Σινάνο) until the 19th century. | ||
| The population in 2001 reached over 5,000. It is the only growing community in western Arcadia. Other villages towns reported a loss in population in 2001. |
The population in 2001 reached over 5,000. It is the only growing community in western Arcadia. Other villages and towns reported a loss in population in 2001. Megalopoli's distance from ] is 30 km (18 miles). Megalopoli is located 33 km (19 miles) SE from ] and 55 km (35 miles) NE from ] on ], and ]. The city has a square its the heart. Its ] is 27910 with 5 digits. The mountains surrounding Megalopoli are ], and ]. Its nearest television and communications tower are on top of mount ]. Much of the area is isolated, and the forested valley contains about 10,000 people. It is one of the most underpopulated areas in the ]. It is situated between the ] and the ] rivers. | ||
| Megalopoli has three schools, lyceums, gymnasia, churches, banks, hotels, a post office and squares ('']''). It also has a train station which |
Megalopoli has three schools, lyceums, gymnasia, churches, banks, hotels, a post office and squares ('']''). It also has a train station which has a freight yard 1 km from downtown. The track does not pass through to Tripoli, the line for Kalamata – Tripoli – ] – ] is 4 km (2 miles) S. A wider highway opened southwest around the 1980s. Megalopolis is now bypassed by a new freeway connecting ] to ]. Construction began in 1999 in the southwest and headed northeast in 2001 and was opened to traffic in 2002. The freeway now runs between the little villages Perivolia and Routsi, and there lies ] River. | ||
| In the mid-1960s, the ] (DEI) and the government started construction on a power plant which took several years to |
In the mid-1960s, the ] (DEI) and the government started construction on a power plant which took several years to complete in order to increase power consumption throughout Greece. The power plant is approximately 8 km NW of downtown. It was first opened in 1969. The area is about 0.2 to 0.3 km² (0.08 - 0.12 square miles). It provides ] to southern Greece. A ] mining area is situated around the plant. The power lines are near the plant. It is connected with GR-76 (Krestena – Andritsaina – Megalopoli). A part of the population are employees of this plant. | ||
| In 1993, a brush fire burned much of eastern Megalopolis and the ] area. It burnt approximately 50 to 60 |
In 1993, a brush fire burned much of eastern Megalopolis and the ] area. It burnt approximately 50 to 60 km² (19-23 square miles) of land. | ||
| ==Antiquity== | ==Antiquity== | ||
| Megalopolis is famous for its ancient ruins founded northwest which |
Megalopolis is famous for its ancient ruins founded northwest, which include an ] that used to hold up to 20,000 people and was 30 m (100 feet) tall. Other landmarks include the Thersileon with 67 pillars and a temple (11.5 m × 5 m, 37 feet x 11 feet). ] reported the ancient belief that the Megalopolis area was a battleground of the ]. The foundation for this apparently was the presence of ] deposits, which are prone to catch fire in summer and can smoulder and scorch the earth for weeks (] is supposed to have slain the ] with lightning bolts; see also below), coupled with the presence of ] bones of prehistoric ]s and ]. Herodotus informs his readers that the bones of "Titans" were exhibited in various places in the surrounding area at least since the 5th century BC. | ||
| The city was founded in 371 BC by the ] general ] in an attempt to form a political counterweight to ]. It was one of the 40 places that were megále pólis (great city). Megalopolis became the seat of the ] in 370 BC which in the 3rd century BC became the ] It used to be one of the about 20,000 places that have an ancient theatre. In 331 BC, Megalopolis was invaded by the ] |
The city was founded in 371 BC by the ] general ] in an attempt to form a political counterweight to ]. It was one of the 40 places that were megále pólis (great city). Megalopolis became the seat of the ] in 370 BC, which in the 3rd century BC became the ]. It used to be one of the about 20,000 places that have an ancient theatre. In 331 BC, Megalopolis was invaded by the ] and there was a battle with the ] who came to Megalopolis' help. The Macedonians defeated the Spartans. In 223 BC, the Spartan king ] destroyed and burnt down the city but the inhabitants were saved by ], a soldier of the ]. The city fell during the ] and was refounded after the ]. | ||
| __NOTOC__ | __NOTOC__ | ||
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| *] (SE) | *] (SE) | ||
| In 2005 and 2006 the Public Power Corporation |
In 2005 and 2006 the Public Power Corporation used the Megalopolis Power Station as a site for a 60MW power rental plant during the summer months in order to balance the grid after a major blackout which affected Athens and Southern Greece on the ] ]. | ||
| ==Subdivisions== | ==Subdivisions== | ||
Revision as of 17:09, 22 March 2009
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| Megalopoli Μεγαλόπολη | |
|---|---|
| Settlement | |
| Country | Greece |
| Administrative region | Peloponnese |
| Elevation | 430 m (1,410 ft) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 8,657 |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+3 (EEST) |
| Postal code | 222 00 |
| Area code(s) | 27910 |
| Vehicle registration | TP |
Ancient Megalopolis, or now Megalópoli (Μεγαλόπολη) is a town in the western part of the prefecture of Arcadia. "Megalopolis" is a Greek word for Great city. When it was founded, in 371 BC, it was the first urbanization in rustic and primitive Arcadia. In ancient times, the town grew very large. Its theater, known to have a capacity for 20,000 people was one of the largest known. In Byzantine and Ottoman times the city was known as Sinanou (Σινάνο) until the 19th century.
The population in 2001 reached over 5,000. It is the only growing community in western Arcadia. Other villages and towns reported a loss in population in 2001. Megalopoli's distance from Tripoli, Greece is 30 km (18 miles). Megalopoli is located 33 km (19 miles) SE from Andritsaina and 55 km (35 miles) NE from Kalamata on Greek National Road 7, and E65. The city has a square its the heart. Its area code is 27910 with 5 digits. The mountains surrounding Megalopoli are Taygetus, and Tsiberou. Its nearest television and communications tower are on top of mount Tsiberou. Much of the area is isolated, and the forested valley contains about 10,000 people. It is one of the most underpopulated areas in the Peloponnese. It is situated between the Alfeios and the Elisson rivers.
Megalopoli has three schools, lyceums, gymnasia, churches, banks, hotels, a post office and squares (plateia). It also has a train station which has a freight yard 1 km from downtown. The track does not pass through to Tripoli, the line for Kalamata – Tripoli – Argos – Corinth is 4 km (2 miles) S. A wider highway opened southwest around the 1980s. Megalopolis is now bypassed by a new freeway connecting Kalamata to Athens. Construction began in 1999 in the southwest and headed northeast in 2001 and was opened to traffic in 2002. The freeway now runs between the little villages Perivolia and Routsi, and there lies Alfeios River.
In the mid-1960s, the Public Power Corporation of Greece (PPC S.A.) (DEI) and the government started construction on a power plant which took several years to complete in order to increase power consumption throughout Greece. The power plant is approximately 8 km NW of downtown. It was first opened in 1969. The area is about 0.2 to 0.3 km² (0.08 - 0.12 square miles). It provides hro-electric power to southern Greece. A lignite mining area is situated around the plant. The power lines are near the plant. It is connected with GR-76 (Krestena – Andritsaina – Megalopoli). A part of the population are employees of this plant.
In 1993, a brush fire burned much of eastern Megalopolis and the Tsiberou area. It burnt approximately 50 to 60 km² (19-23 square miles) of land.
Antiquity
Megalopolis is famous for its ancient ruins founded northwest, which include an ancient theatre that used to hold up to 20,000 people and was 30 m (100 feet) tall. Other landmarks include the Thersileon with 67 pillars and a temple (11.5 m × 5 m, 37 feet x 11 feet). Herodotus reported the ancient belief that the Megalopolis area was a battleground of the Titanomachy. The foundation for this apparently was the presence of lignite deposits, which are prone to catch fire in summer and can smoulder and scorch the earth for weeks (Zeus is supposed to have slain the Titans with lightning bolts; see also below), coupled with the presence of fossil bones of prehistoric elephants and rhinoceroses. Herodotus informs his readers that the bones of "Titans" were exhibited in various places in the surrounding area at least since the 5th century BC.
The city was founded in 371 BC by the Theban general Epaminondas in an attempt to form a political counterweight to Sparta. It was one of the 40 places that were megále pólis (great city). Megalopolis became the seat of the Arcadian League in 370 BC, which in the 3rd century BC became the Achaean League. It used to be one of the about 20,000 places that have an ancient theatre. In 331 BC, Megalopolis was invaded by the Spartans and there was a battle with the Macedonians who came to Megalopolis' help. The Macedonians defeated the Spartans. In 223 BC, the Spartan king Cleomenes destroyed and burnt down the city but the inhabitants were saved by Philopoemen, a soldier of the Achaean League. The city fell during the Middle Ages and was refounded after the Greek Independence.
Nearest places
In 2005 and 2006 the Public Power Corporation used the Megalopolis Power Station as a site for a 60MW power rental plant during the summer months in order to balance the grid after a major blackout which affected Athens and Southern Greece on the 12 July 2004.
Subdivisions
Communes
- Anthochori
- Ano Karyes
- Chirades
- Choremi
- Chranes
- Gefyra
- Isari
- Isoma Karyon
- Karatoula
- Kastanochori
- Kato Karyes
- Lykaio
- Lykosoura
- Makrysi
- Kato Makrysi (pop: 119)
- Mallota
- Marathoussa
- Megalopoli
- Nea Ekklisoula
- Neochori
- Paradeisia
- Perivolia
- Plaka
- Rapsommati
- Souli
- Thoknia
- Trilofos
- Tripotamia
- Vangos
- Vasta
Population
| Year | Communal population | Change (qty) | Change (%) | Municipal population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1920 | 1,776 | |||
| 1961 | 2,235 | 1,059 | 59.63% | |
| 1981 | 4,875 | 2,640 | 113.06% | |
| 1991 | 4,646 | -229 | -4.7% | 8,888 |
| 2001 | 5,114 | 468 | 1.01% |
Megalopolis is also a province. It contains the communities of:
- Amenodouri
- Ano Anavrito
- Issari
- Kato Anavrito
- Makrinisi?
- Perivolia
- Rapsommati
- Routsi
- Tripotamia
- Vasta
- Vrysoules
- Zoni
It also contains the municipalities of:
| Name of municipality | Municipal code | Seat | Postal code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Falaisia | 0522 | Leontari | 220 21 |
| Gortynia | 0505 | Karytaina | 220 22 |
| Megalopoli | 0516 | Megalopoli | 222 00 |
External links
- traveljournals.net – Megalopoli
- 3rd Megalopolis Public School (in Greek)
- GTP – Municipality of Megalopoli
- 1911 Britannica article "Megalopolis"
| North: Gortynia | ||
| West: Figaleia |
Megalopoli | East: Valtesi |
| South: Falaisia |
See also
References
- De Facto Population of Greece Population and Housing Census of March 18th, 2001 (PDF 39 MB). National Statistical Service of Greece. 2003.