Moschato

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Moschato
Μοσχάτο
Location
Moschato (Greece)
Moschato
Coordinates 37°57′N 23°40′E / 37.95, 23.667Coordinates: 37°57′N 23°40′E / 37.95, 23.667
Time zone: EET/EEST (UTC+2/3)
Elevation: 0 m (0 ft)
Government
Country: Greece
Periphery: Attica
Prefecture: Athens
Districts: 1
Mayor: Taxiárchis Papantónis
Population statistics (as of 2001[1])
City Proper
 - Population: 23,153
 - Area:[2] 2.325 km² (1 sq mi)
 - Density: 9,958 /km² (25,792 /sq mi)
Codes
Postal: 183 xx
Area: 210
Auto: Z
Website
www.dimosmoschatou.gr

Moschato (Greek, Modern: Μοσχάτο, Ancient/Katharevousa: -on), older form Moschaton is a suburb in the south southern part of Athens, Greece. Phaleron Bay lies to the south in which between 2002 and 2004 extended land. The city is linked by the famous Poseidonos Avenue (GR-89 to the west and the superhighway GR-1/E75, GR-8/E94 for northbound lanes which now has easy access to the Peloponnese. Syngrou Avenue is accessed in the southeast. It is also located W of Athens, WNW of Syngrou Avenue, NW of Vouliagmeni, E of Piraeus and SE of Kifissou Avenue. The Cephissus river lies to the west and now flows underneath the superhighway. Another stream which has been known since the ancient times, Ilissos, lies to the east and borders with Kallithea.

The area was formerly made up of farmlands; mixed farming was common, i.e. vegetables and grapes. Urban development replaced much of the farmland in the 1920s and the 1930s, and today, most of the municipality is urbanized or residential. The industrial area lies to the north, and most of the industrial buildings and businesses, along with shopping outlets, are aligned within Poseidonos Avenue and other main streets: Makrygianni Avenue and Chrysostomou Smyrnis Street, which connect the metro station with Posseidonos Avenue. Moschato is linked with the ISAP (Green line metro station) named the Moschato Station, as well as with the new Athens Tram on Line 1. Moschato has a number of facilities which were used for the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, including a large one in the middle of an interchange.

In 2002, the construction of the final phase of the superhighway to decongest Athens and ease access to the Peloponnese began, with a great deal of rainfall occurring in September and gates closed on roads cutting off Athens and Piraeus. Buildings and businesses were flooded and damaged, and basements were also inundated; the flooding continued well into October. After a few months, the bridge began covering the river and the flooding of Moschato was at an end. The superhighway was opened in 2004, and formed the southernmost terminus in GR-1 and E75.

Contents

[edit] Transit routes

Moschato are connected with several transit routes that buses run:

HSAP TRAIN - Athens - Piraeus TRAM LINE - Piraeus- Athens - Glyfada

[edit] Other

Moschato has schools, lyceums, gymnasia, banks, a post office and 2 main squares (plateies): The "Old Square" on Makrygianni Avenue by the cathedral of "Metamorfosis tou Sotiros" (Holy Transfiguration) and the "New Square" in front of the City Hall on Korai Street. The local fair is held on 6th August every year , festivities starting from the 5th , when the the cathedral of Aghia Sotira (Our Christ Saviour)has its religious holiday.

Moschato is also know for its Carnival celebrations held every year approximately two weeks before Clean Monday (Kathara Deytera). Festivities for all ages are held throughout the town and more specific at the Tent (Tenta) that the municipal puts up at the Korai Str. square. Delegations from many cities across Greece as well as foreign communities take part in this two week festivity. Teenagers have the opportunity to take part in a large Treasure/Scavenger Hunt (Kinigi toy Chamenou Thisavrou)which takes place in all of Moschato and lasts for the entire two weeks, engaging into games, singing contests, city wide treasure hunts, mascarade competitions and with the chance of winning prizes, trips and many other gifts.

[edit] Historical population

Year Municipal population Change Density
1941 12,913 - 5,554.0/km²
1981 21,138 +8,225 or +63.70% from 1941 9,091.6/km²
1991 22,039 +901 or +4.26% 9,479.1/km²
2001 23,153 +1,114 or +5.05% 9,958.3/km²

[edit] See also

  • Moschato is a Greek word meaning muscat
  • Moschato Alexandrias, the Muscat of Alexandria
  • Moschato Aspro or Moschato white better known as Muscat Blanc, a plant that is also known as Moschato Samos, Samian Muscat, Moschoudi, Moschostafylo or Moschostafilo and the Muscat of Rio (Moschato Rio).

[edit] External links


Northwest: Agios Ioannis Rentis North: Tavros
West: Piraeus Moschato East: Kallithea
South: Phaleron Bay, part of the Saronic Gulf
v • d • e
Municipalities of the Athens Prefecture