Giannitsa

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For other uses, see Yenice.

Giannitsa or Yannitsa (Greek: Γιαννιτσά, Slavic: Енидже Вардар or Ениџе Вардар or Пазар, transliterated Enidzhe Vardar or Eniǆe Vardar or Pazar, Turkish: Yenice or Vardar Yenicesi) is the largest town and municipality in the Pella Prefecture of Macedonia, Greece. It chief importance is as an agricultural centre - especially since it is 40 km from Thessaloniki. Not far from the city are the ancient ruins of Pella, birthplace and capital of Alexander the Great. Giannitsa is built on the site of a former lake, and its Ottoman remains include a watchtower. Its centre has many shops. The town is home to 26,296 people (2001 census), and its attractions include the annual fair, the "Paniyiri", which runs for two weeks every September. The Yenidze in Dresden, Germany was named after Giannitsa. The municipality has a population of 31,442 and a land area of 208.105 km². Other significant towns in the municipality are Ampeleíai (pop. 1,095), Melíssion (983), Pentaplátanon (956), and Paralímni (816).

[edit] Attractions

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The "Pezodromos" is the paved mall of Giannitsa. Built in a cross shape, it lies at the centre of the city. Many banks and the post office of the town is there.
The Park at the Centre of Giannitsa, or "Plateia Mangou", is the meeting place of six streets that lead out of the city in all directions. Monuments, statues and a small park are at the centre, whereas there are lots of shops around the sides of the roundabout.
"Mitropolis Church" is the largest church in Giannitsa.
The "Filipio" is a hill near the Mitropolis Church. Filipio has a cafeteria and a large park, as well as a monument to Philip II of Macedon (Φίλιππoς Β'), ancient king of the Macedonians.
"Ayios Georgios' Park" includes a large park with ponds, rivulets and bridges, as well as many trees. There is also a playground and a church, dedicated to Ayios Georgios.
The "Pazari" is the weekly outdoor market that meets every Thursday. Here, people from Giannitsa and the outlying farming villages can buy and sell some fresh products.
"Plateia Pikpa" is the bus station at the centre of Giannitsa. Many shops line the streets from there to both the Pezodromo and the Pazari.
The "Paniyiri" is the annual two-week event that is held in Giannitsa every September 6th.
The new Sports Complex has many football fields, basketball courts, a traffic school and a large walking track to serve the people of the city.
Most people of Giannitsa live in four to six story high apartment blocks, while there are also peaceful neighbourhoods surrounding the city.
The Ottoman clock tower still stands today. There are some old Ottoman houses that have remained since 1913.
The Ancient Ruins of Pella are just five kilometres out of Giannitsa. This is the birthplace of Alexander the Great. Among things to see here are the Macedonian Palace, many mosaics, and the remains of the House of Dionysius, whose columns appear today on many other famous buildings throughout the world.