Polygyros

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Coordinates: 40°23′N 23°26′E

Greece Polygyros (Πολύγυρος)
Polygyros
Map of Greece, position of Polygyros highlighted
Coordinates 40°23′ N 23°26′ E
Country Greece
Periphery Central Macedonia
Prefecture Halkidiki
Population 10,721 source (2001)
Area 470.9 km²
Population density 23 /km²
Elevation 426 m
Postal code 631 00
Area code 23710
Licence plate code ΧΚ

Polygyros (Greek: Πολύγυρος) is a town in Central Macedonia, Greece, the capital of the Prefecture of Halkidiki. Polygyros is south of GR-16 (Thessaloniki - Arnaia). Polygyros is located SE of Thessaloniki, NE of Nea Moudania, NW of Sithonia and SW of Arnaia. The town is built in the shape of an amphitheatre on a plateau on the south west side of the mountain Holomontas.

Contents

[edit] Name

There are different speculations about the origin of Polygyros' name. Some claim that it comes from the combination of poly(=much) and geros(=strong), because of the healthy climate. Others believe that the words poly and ieros(=sacred) have given the present name, because of an ancient temple in the area. Also an old landowner, named Polyaros, offers a possible etymology.

[edit] History

Some situate in the broader area of modern Polygyros the ancient city of Apollonia. Apollonia was one of the 32 cities, which, under the leadership of the Olynthus, constituted the Koinon ton Chalkideon(=community of Chalcideans). The Koinon was destroyed in 379 BCE by the Spartans, while in 348 BCE Philippus the Macedonian embodies the whole Chalcidice in the Macedonian Kingdom. In 168 BCE Chalcidice was subjected by the Romans. The town of Polygyros is first mentioned in a medieval imperial document, chryssovoulon(=with golden stamp), of Eastern Roman Emperor Nikephoros III Botaneiates about 1080 CE. In 1430, as the rest of the Eastern Roman Empire, Polygyros was conquered by the Ottomans and belonged to the Sanjak of Thessaloniki. On 17th May 1821 the people of Polygyros rose against the ottoman authority and managed, temporarily, to expell the ottoman guard. Many residents of Polygyros took part in the 1854's unsuccessful revolutionary movement against the Ottomans. Finally, on 2nd November 1912 the greek army, as one of the winners of the 1st Balkan War, entered Polygyros and incorporated the town in the Greek State.

[edit] Cultural and athletic activities

Polygyros is famous for its carnival celebrations, which attracts visitors from around Greece. A nearby location called "Panagia" ("Virgin Mary") is the setting of a famous religious celebration on August 15th. Also, cultural societies are active in the fields of folk music and dance. Classic and modern music is cultivated in the municipal conservatory. Niki (=victory) is the name of Polygyros' football club, which participates in the Greek National Forth Division Professional League. AOP (=Athletic Club of Polygyros) is the local basketball team, participant in the Third National Basketball Division.

[edit] Sites of interest

In Polygyros' Archaeological Museum are exhibited findings from all over Halkidiki and refer to paleolithical and neolithical age, geometric, archaic, classic, hellenistic and Roman period.

  • Polygyros Archaeological Museum - website

[edit] Other

Polygyros has schools of all grades (lyceum, gymnasium, postgraduate institutes), banks, post office, telecommunication centre, court of justice, police station, fire brigade, forest inspection and a state hospital.

[edit] Historical population

Year Population Change Municipal population
1981 5,239 - -
1991 4,501 -728/-13.9% 10,218
2001 6,232 - 10,721

[edit] External links

[edit] See also


Municipalities of the Halkidiki Prefecture
Anthemountas • Arnaia • Kallikrateia • Kassandra • Moudania • Ormylia • Pallini • Panagia • Polygyros • Sithonia • Stagira-Akanthos • Toroni • Triglia • Zervochoria
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