Komotini
Komotini
Κομοτηνή | |
---|---|
UTC+3 (EEST) | |
Postal code | 691 00 |
Area code(s) | 25310 |
Vehicle registration | ΚΟ |
Website | komotini.gr |
Komotini (
Built at the northern part of the plain bearing the same name, Komotini is one of the main administrative, financial and cultural centers of northeastern Greece and also a major agricultural and breeding center of the area.[2] It is also a significant transport interchange, located 795 km NE of Athens and 281 km NE of Thessaloniki. The presence of the Democritus University of Thrace makes Komotini the home of thousands of Greek and international students and this, combined with an eclectic mix of Western and Oriental elements in the city's daily life, have made it an increasingly attractive tourist destination.[2]
History
Antiquity
Komotini has existed as a settlement since the 2nd century AD. That is confirmed by archaeological finds of that era up until the 4th century. It is also confirmed by an inscription on the ruins of the 4th-century
Byzantine era
The city's history is closely connected with that of
The current settlement dates to 1207, when, following the destruction of Mosynopolis by the
Ottoman era
The city was conquered by the
The city continued to be an important hub connecting the capital city of Constantinople with the European part of the Empire, and grew accordingly. Many monuments in the city today date to this era. Many local Greek families fled at that time to Epirus and founded the Koumoutzades village (modern Ammotopos, Arta). Even there they were persecuted by the Ottomans and some of them found refuge in Tropaia of Gortynia. The bond between the inhabitants of Komotini, Ammotopos and Tropaia exists to this day.
In the first two decades after its conquest, until 1383, the city was the seat of a frontier march (uç) under Evrenos, confronting the Serbian territories of Macedonia. The walled city continued to be inhabited by locals, Gazi Evrenos also brought in Turkish settlers to the countryside around the town to stop any riots. During the prevailingly Ottoman rule of the area, it appears that the region was largely supported, and subsequent Ottoman censuses show that Muslim Turks quickly became the dominant element in the rural districts around the city. Evrenos also invested in the city as building camiiye (small mosque), an imaret, bath, and shops outside the city walls, establishing a waqf that according to Machiel Kiel became the "nucleus of Islamic life in Western Thrace". The 16th-century geographer Mehmed-i Ashik also mentions a hostel (imaret) built by Evrenos.[4]
In the 1519 census, the city numbered 393 Muslim households and 197 single (unmarried or widowed) Muslims, 42 Christian households and 14 single Christians, and 19 Jewish households and 5 single Jews, in total ca. 2,500 people. In the 1530 census, the 17 Turkish-named neighbourhoods (
The town suffered greatly from repeated plague epidemics, which led to entire villages being abandoned, but recovered in the 19th century.[4] During the Greek War of Independence Komotini's inhabitants contributed substantially with Ioannikios (later bishop), Aggelis Kirzalis and Captain Stavros Kobenos (members of the Filiki Eteria organisation). During the following decades Komotini progressed financially due to the processing and trade of tobacco.
The 19th century saw the city expand and considerable architectural activity, with the renovation of old and the construction of new buildings. Both the Yeni Mosque and Evrenos' original masjid, the
Balkan Wars and World War I
During the First Balkan War, Bulgarian forces captured the city, only to surrender it to the Greek army during the Second Balkan War on July 14, 1913.
In the aftermath of the Second Balkan War, it became briefly the capital of the short-lived
Demographics
The population is quite multilingual for a city of its size and it is made up of local
The Muslim population of Western Thrace dates to the
Komotini has the highest percentage of Muslims in any city of the European Union (54.77% - metro area)
Modern Komotini
Komotini is, nowadays, a thriving commercial and administrative centre. It is heavily centralised with the majority of commerce and services based around the historical core of the city. Getting around on foot is therefore very practical. However, traffic can be remarkably heavy due to the daily commute. In the past, the Trelohimaros river used to flow through the city and divide it into two parts. In the 1970s, after repeated flooding episodes the river was eventually diverted and flows on the east of the city, while its former bed has been replaced by the main avenues of the city, such as the Orfeos Street. [citation needed]
Heart of the City
At the heart of the city lie the evergreen Municipal Central Park and the 15 m-high WW2 Heroes' Memorial, locally known as 'The Sword'. The revamped Central square or Plateia Irinis (Square of Peace) is the focus of a vibrant nightlife boosted by the huge number of students living in the city. The Old commercial centre is very popular with tourists as it houses traditional shops and workshops that have long vanished from other Greek cities. In addition, in the northwestern outskirts of the city (Nea Mosinoupoli) locals and tourists alike flock into a modern shopping plaza: Kosmopolis Park, which houses department stores, shops, supermarkets, a cinema complex, cafés and restaurants. The area stretching from Kosmopolis to Ifaistos is gradually becoming a retail destination in its own right.[citation needed]
Culture and Entertainment
Komotini began life as a Byzantine Fortress built by the Emperor Theodosius in the 4th century AD. The ruins of this quadrangular structure can still be found NW of the central square. Komotini has several museums including the Archaeological, Byzantine and Folklore museums. SW of the central square one can find the Open-air Municipal Theatre, which hosts many cultural shows and events such as the cultural summer (πολιτιστικό καλοκαίρι = politistiko kalokairi). There is a Regional Theatre (DIPETHE) whose company produces many plays all year round. 6 kilometres (4 miles) NE of Komotini is the Nymfaia forest. It has recreational facilities which comprise trails, courts, playgrounds and space for environmental studies. The forest is divided by a paved road which leads to the ruins of yet another Byzantine fortress and the historical (WWII) fort of Nymfaia.[citation needed]
Jewish Community
Writings in the area of ancient Maroneia confirm the presence of Jews in the area. In the 16th century the Jewish community of Komotini consisted of
Geography
The city stands at an altitude of 32-38m on the
Climate
Climate data for Komotini, Greece | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 48 (9) |
50 (10) |
55 (13) |
64 (18) |
73 (23) |
82 (28) |
88 (31) |
88 (31) |
79 (26) |
69 (21) |
58 (14) |
50 (10) |
67 (19) |
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 33 (1) |
34 (1) |
38 (3) |
45 (7) |
53 (12) |
61 (16) |
65 (18) |
65 (18) |
58 (14) |
51 (11) |
42 (6) |
36 (2) |
48.416 (9.12) |
Source: <World Weather Online= >"Komotini Monthly Climate Averages". Komotini Monthly Climate Average, Greece. World Weather Online. 2016. Retrieved 13 September 2016. |
Municipality
The municipality Komotini was formed at the 2011 local government reform by the merger of the following 3 former municipalities, that became municipal units:[16]
- Aigeiros
- Komotini
- Neo Sidirochori
The municipality has an area of 644.934 km2, the municipal unit 385.386 km2.[17]
Quarters
- Central: Historic Commercial Centre, Plaka, Armenio
- West: Nea Mosinoupoli, Remvi
- South-West: Kavakliotika, Stathmos, Ergatika Stathmou, Ergatika DEI
- South: Zimvrakaki
- South-East: Agios Stylianos
- East: Neoktista
- North: Agia Varvara/Stratones
Suburbs
- Komotini Industrial Zone (SE, 9 km (6 mi) from City centre), with dozens of factories and an environmentally friendly natural gas-fuelled power plant.
- Panepistimioupoli/Democritus University Campus (NW,3 km (2 mi) from City Centre) home of D.U.TH.
- Ifaistos (NW,adjacent to Nea Mosinoupoli), home of a large Roma community
- Roditis (SE,5 km (3 mi) from City Centre), residential area with upmarket properties
- Karidia (NE,4 km (2 mi) from City Centre), residential area with upmarket properties
- Kosmio (S,3 km (2 mi) from City Centre), residential area
- Thrilorio (SE,8 km (5 mi) from City Centre), residential area
- Ampelokipoi (SE,2 km (1 mi) from City Centre), residential area
- Kikidio (SE,2 km (1 mi) from City Centre), mixed residential-business area
- Ifantes (W, 2 km (1 mi) from City Centre), mixed residential-business area
Province
The province of Komotini (Greek: Επαρχία Κομοτηνής) was one of the provinces of the Rhodope Prefecture. Its territory corresponded with that of the current municipalities Komotini and Iasmos, and the municipal units Maroneia and Organi.[18] It was abolished in 2006.
Education
There are more than adequate primary and secondary education facilities in the city. There are around 20 primary schools, 7 gymnasia (junior high schools) and 4 lykeia (high schools) as well as the Institute for Vocational Training (IEK Komotini). In addition there is 2 technical education institutes (TEE).
Komotini is an established university city in the North of Greece. It is home to the Central Administration and several departments of the Democritus University of Thrace including the following:
- Law School
- Physical Education and Sport Sciences
- History and Ethnology
- Greek Literature
- Social Administration
- International Financial Relations and Development
- Business Management (commencing in 2009)
- Politics (commencing in 2009)
- Languages, Literature and Civilization of Black Sea countries
The Komotini campus has a dynamic population of approximately 5–10.000 students and a major part of social life evolves around it. The founding of the University of Thrace in 1973 has had a significant positive influence on the entire urban area fuelling the city's expansion and growth.
The Police Academy is located 7 kilometres (4 miles) from Komotini on the road to Xanthi on extensive grounds and with modern facilities.
Media
Television
The main television station based in Komotini is R Channel although other stations broadcast from the city, namely Delta from neighbouring Alexandroupoli and ET3 (the northern branch of the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation) from Thessaloniki.
Radio
The main Radio Stations broadcasting from Komotini are:
- ERA Komotinis (part of the national ERA network, greatest coverage area in N. Greece)
- Radio Paratiritis
- Diavlos Rodopis
- Hit FM
- Joy FM
- Radio Komotini
- Isik FM
- Radio City
Press
There has been increasing activity in this sector for the last 50 years. There are now 7 daily and 2 weekly active newspapers in the city.
- Paratiritis tis Thrakis (Observer of Thrace): Multilingual (recognised with distinction by the President of The Hellenic Republic for its innovation) politics and culture.
- To Elefthero Vima (Free Standpoint): Politics and culture.
- Thrakiki Agora (Thracian Market): Weekly Politics and Financial news.
- I Paremvasi (Intervention): Politics.
- I Foni tis Rodopis (Voice of Rodopi): Politics.
- Antifonitis (The Opposition): Reactionary Politics, satirical commentary.
- Thrakiki Gi (Thracian Land): Politics and Agricultural News.
- I Patrida (The Homeland): One of the oldest,Politics.
All of the above are paper based. However, there is an increasing volume of news and content that is on the newspapers' websites. The latter can be accessed from the news section of Komotini's commercial portal.[19]
Transportation
Komotini is a midland city and has no port. It is served by two airports. The nearest is in Alexandroupoli (65 km), and the other is in Kavala (80 km).
Highway network
European route E90 runs through the city and connects Komotini with the other Greek Continental cities. The Egnatia Motorway (A2) lies south of the city. One can enter the city from one of two Junctions; 'Komotini West' and 'Komotini East'.
Public transit
There are a number of municipal buses serving 3 main lines within the city. The Intercity Bus Company of Komotini connects it to many local villages, the coastal areas and major Greek cities.
Railway
The city is served by Hellenic Train, with services running regularly at least twice daily westwards to Thessaloniki and Athens and eastwards to Evros and occasionally Istanbul. The station is located outside the city Center.
Sports
There is an impressive array of sports facilities available. They include the Komotini Municipal Stadium (Home of Panthrakikos FC), Panthrakiko Stadium (training grounds), Municipal Sports Complex (NE of the city), Municipal Swimming pool and Basketball Arena, Democritus University Sports Complex including an Arena and an Aquatic Centre as well as basketball courts in almost every school in the city. The mountainous area in the north of the city is ideal for mountain-biking and trekking as well as 4x4 racing both of which take place throughout the year.
Sport clubs based in Komotini | |||
---|---|---|---|
Club | Founded | Sports | Achievements |
AE Komotinis | 1936 | Football, Volleyball | Earlier presence in A1 Ethniki volleyball |
Panthrakikos F.C. | 1963 | Football | Earlier presence in Alpha Ethniki |
GAS Komotinis | 1976 | Basketball | Earlier presence in A2 Ethniki basketball |
Historical population
Year | Town population | Municipality population |
---|---|---|
1981 | 34,051 | 37,487 |
1991 | 37,036 | 39,927 |
2001 | 43,326 | 52,659 |
2011 | 50,990 | 66,919 |
2021 | 51,732 | 65,243 |
Notable people
- Sadik Achmet[20] (Komotini 1947 - Komotini 1995), politician and advocate of Turkish minority rights
- Archbishop Chrysanthus of Athens (Gratini1881 - Athens 1949)
- Paschalis Draganidis (b.1992), footballer
- Frangoulis Frangos (b. Komotini 1951), general, chief of the Hellenic Army General Staff, former Minister for National Defence[23]
- Apostolos Grozos (Komotini 1892 - Bucharest 1981), politician, leader of the Communist Party of Greece
- Akis Dagazian (b. Komotini 1975), international relations specialist, economist, businessman, diplomat, Chairman of the Hellenic - Armenian Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Greece (2017-), Consul ad Honorem of the Republic of Armenia in Thessaloniki (2022-)[24]
- Hamza Hamzaoglou (b. Komotini 1970), Turkish footballer
- Hassan Hatipoglou (Komotini 1923 - Komotini 2010), Turkish journalist and politician
- Yanko Hristov (Komotini 1919 - Bulgaria 1994), Bulgarian partisan and diplomat
- Nikolaos Kaltsas (b. Dialambi near Iasmos in Rhodope), archaeologist, director of the National Archaeological Museum, Athens, member of the German Archaeological Institute
- Stilpon Kyriakidis (Komotini 1887 - Thessaloniki 1964), professor of history and folklore culture[25][26][27][28]
- Petros Mantalos (b.1991), Greek footballer
- Ioannikios of Maroneia (d. 1838), cleric, fighter of the Greek War of Independence
- Nasuh Pasha (d. 1614), Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire
- George Petalotis (b. Komotini 1964), Greek politician[29]
- Paul Soulikias (b. Komotini 1926 – Larissa 2023), Greek-Canadian painter
- Tzavit Tsaglar (b. Komotini 1944), Turkish businessman and politician
See also
- Greek Muslim minority
- Turks of Western Thrace
- Pomaks
References
- ^ a b "Αποτελέσματα Απογραφής Πληθυσμού - Κατοικιών 2021, Μόνιμος Πληθυσμός κατά οικισμό" [Results of the 2021 Population - Housing Census, Permanent population by settlement] (in Greek). Hellenic Statistical Authority. 29 March 2024.
- ^ a b "Visit Greece - ΚΟΜΟΤΗΝΗ". www.visitgreece.gr.
- ^ D. C. Samsaris, Historical Geography of Western Thrace during the Roman Antiquity (in Greek), Thessaloniki 2005, p. 102
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Kiel 2004, p. 330.
- ^ Kiel, Machiel (1971). "Observations on the History of Northern Greece during the Turkish Rule: Historical and Architectural Description of the Turkish Monuments of Komotini and Serres, their place in the Development of Ottoman Turkish Architecture and their Present Condition". Balkan Studies. 12: 417.
- ^ Kiel 2004, pp. 329–330.
- ^ Kiel 2004, p. 331.
- ^ "Reviving high-rise blocks for cohesive and green neighbourhoods" (PDF). RE-Block: Baseline Study. European Regional Development Fund. p. 44. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 October 2013. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
- ^ "ΜΟΥΣΟΥΛΜΑΝΙΚΗ ΜΕΙΟΝΟΤΗΤΑ ΘΡΑΚΗΣ". hri.org. Archived from the original on 18 May 2019. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
- ISBN 979-8-8069-0288-8, pp. 121-131.
- ^ Book (in Hebrew):Bar-Zohar, Michael, The trains went out empty, Hed-Artzi, Or-Yhuda, Israel, 1999, page 86.
- ISBN 978-960-86029-4-6, pages 51–56.
- ^ 15 March 2010 article in the Greek newspaper Παρατηρητής της Θράκης: "Το ζήτημα της ιστορίας των εβραίων της Κομοτηνής ξανά στην επικαιρότητα- Με το βιβλίο του Θρασύβουλου Ορ. Παπαστρατή «Από τη Γκιουμουλτζίνα στην Τρεμπλίνκα. Ιστορία των Εβραίων της Κομοτηνής»" Archived 21 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine.
- ^ 3 April 2002 article in Greek newspaper ο Χρόνος: "Οι Εβραίοι της Κομοτηνής: Σημειώματα Θρασύβουλου Ορ. Παπαστρατή". Archived 10 June 2010 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ 09 April 2010 article in Greek newspaper Παρατηρητής της Θράκης: "Η ιστορία του Σαμπετάι και της Νταίζη από την Κομοτηνή" του Βασίλη Ριτζαλέου Archived 21 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine.
- ^ "ΦΕΚ A 87/2010, Kallikratis reform law text" (in Greek). Government Gazette.
- ^ "Population & housing census 2001 (incl. area and average elevation)" (PDF) (in Greek). National Statistical Service of Greece. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-09-21.
- ^ "Detailed census results 1991" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on March 3, 2016. (39 MB) (in Greek and French)
- ^ "Komotini Online : Ειδήσεις και Νέα από τη Ροδόπη". www.kom.gr.
- ^ Γιαννακίδη, Πολιτών Γραφές Του Στάθη (2019-06-11). ""Ας μιλήσουμε ρεαλιστικά για το ΚΙΕΦ"". Παρατηρητής της Θράκης (in Greek). Retrieved 2021-03-22.
- ^ Θράκης, Παρατηρητής της (2016-03-20). "Πέμπτος στον κόσμο ο Κώστας Μπανιώτης". Παρατηρητής της Θράκης (in Greek). Retrieved 2021-03-24.
- ^ Θράκης, Παρατηρητής της (2019-03-05). "Δεύτερος στην Ευρώπη ο Κώστας Μπανιώτης". Παρατηρητής της Θράκης (in Greek). Retrieved 2021-03-24.
- ^ Θράκης, Παρατηρητής της (2012-09-27). "Επίτιμος δημότης Ορεστιάδας θα ανακυρηχθεί ο Φράγκος Φραγκούλης". Παρατηρητής της Θράκης (in Greek). Retrieved 2021-03-23.
- ^ https://en.armradio.am/2022/04/11/akis-dagazian-appointed-honorary-consul-of-the-republic-of-armenia-to-thessaloniki/
- ^ Θράκης, Παρατηρητής της (2017-05-15). "Κεφάλαιο για τη Θράκη και την Ελλάδα ο Στίλπων Κυριακίδης". Παρατηρητής της Θράκης (in Greek). Retrieved 2021-03-24.
- ^ Θράκης, Παρατηρητής της (2015-01-11). "Αντιπελάργηση Στίλπων Κυριακίδης (1887-1964) - Ο ακάματος "διάκονος" στον "αμπελώνα" της επιστήμης". Παρατηρητής της Θράκης (in Greek). Retrieved 2021-03-24.
- ^ Θράκης, Παρατηρητής της (2020-03-04). "Η παρακαταθήκη του σοφού Κομοτηναίου". Παρατηρητής της Θράκης (in Greek). Retrieved 2021-03-24.
- ^ Θράκης, Παρατηρητής της (2021-01-09). "Ένα πρωτοποριακό βιβλίο για τον Καραγκιόζη πριν 100 χρόνια: Louis Roussel και Στίλπων Κυριακίδης". Παρατηρητής της Θράκης (in Greek). Retrieved 2021-03-24.
- ^ Θράκης, Παρατηρητής της (2013-05-02). "Γιώργος Πεταλωτής, πρ. υφ. Δικαιοσύνης, Διαφάνειας και Ανθρωπίνων Δικαιωμάτων Όλες οι πολιτικές δυνάμεις θα έπρεπε να συζητούν την πρόταση για την επόμενη μέρα της κρίσης". Παρατηρητής της Θράκης (in Greek). Retrieved 2021-03-23.
- ^ Θράκης, Παρατηρητής της (2020-10-17). "Ο Ευριπίδης Στυλιανίδης μιλά για το 12%, τις προτάσεις στη Διακομματική, τις τουρκικές προκλήσεις, τη δίκη της ΧΑ". Παρατηρητής της Θράκης (in Greek). Retrieved 2021-03-24.
- ^ Θράκης, Παρατηρητής της (2020-06-04). "Ευριπίδης Στυλιανίδης: "Είναι σημαντικό πρώτα να ξέρουμε εμείς την ιστορία μας, και σε δεύτερο χρόνο να ζητήσουμε αυτή η ιστορία να αρχίσει να αναδεικνύεται"". Παρατηρητής της Θράκης (in Greek). Retrieved 2021-03-24.
- ^ Βαφειάδου, Νατάσσα (2021-03-24). "Τη δέσμευση του Χ.Θεοχάρη για το "άνοιγμα" της Νυμφαίας εξασφάλισε ο Ευριπίδης Στυλιανίδης". Παρατηρητής της Θράκης (in Greek). Retrieved 2021-03-24.
- ^ Θράκης, Παρατηρητής της (2020-05-23). "Λιμενικούς Σταθμούς σε Φανάρι και Μαρώνεια διεκδίκησε ο Ευριπίδης Στυλιανίδης". Παρατηρητής της Θράκης (in Greek). Retrieved 2021-03-24.
Sources
- Kiel, M. (2004). "Gümüld̲j̲ine". The Encyclopedia of Islam, New Edition, Volume XII: Supplement. Leiden and New York: BRILL. pp. 329–331. ISBN 978-90-04-13974-9.
- Messinas, E. (2022). The Synagogues of Greece: A Study of Synagogues in Macedonia and Thrace: With Architectural Drawings of all Synagogues of Greece. Seattle: KDP. pp. 121–131 and 167-170. ISBN 979-8-8069-0288-8
- Μεσσίνας, Η. (2022). H Συναγωγή, Αθήνα: Εκδόσεις Ινφογνώμων. pp. 37–46. ISBN 978-618-5590-21-5
- Μεσσίνας, Η. (1999). Oι Συναγωγές στην Ελλάδα, η αρχιτεκτονική τους και η σχέση τους με τον ιστό της πόλης και την εβραϊκή συνοικία: Συγκριτική μελέτη της ιστορίας και αρχιτεκτονικής των συναγωγών της Βορείου Ελλάδος, η θέση τους στην εβραϊκή συνοικία και η παρουσία τους στον πολεοδομικό ιστό από τον 15ο στον 20ο αιώνα. Διδακτορική διατριβή στο Τμήμα Αρχιτεκτόνων Μηχανικών Τομέα Πολεοδομίας και Χωροταξίας του ΕΜΠ, pp. 217–238.