Megalopolis, Greece

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Megalopoli
Μεγαλόπολη
Location
Megalopoli
Coordinates 37°24′N 22°8′E / 37.400°N 22.133°E / 37.400; 22.133Coordinates: 37°24′N 22°8′E / 37.400°N 22.133°E / 37.400; 22.133
Government
Country:Greece
Administrative region: Peloponnese
Regional unit: Arcadia
Population statistics (as of 2011)[1]
Municipality
 - Population: 10,687
 - Area: 727.3 km2 (281 sq mi)
 - Density: 15 /km2 (38 /sq mi)
Municipal unit
 - Population: 7,890
Community
 - Population: 5,779
Other
Time zone: EET/EEST (UTC+2/3)
Elevation (center): 430 m (1,411 ft)
Postal code: 222 00
Telephone: 27910
Auto: TP

Megalopoli (Greek: Μεγαλόπολη) is a town in the southwestern part of the regional unit of Arcadia, southern Greece. It is located in the same site as ancient Megalopolis. When it was founded in 371 BC, it was the first large urbanization in rustic Arcadia. Its theater had a capacity of 20,000 visitors, making it one of the largest ancient Greek theaters.[citation needed] Megalopoli has several schools, shops, churches, hotels and other services. The population of Megalopoli in 2011 was 5,779 for the town proper.

Geography

Megalopoli is situated in a wide valley, surrounded by mountains: the Taygetus to the south, the Mainalo to the north, the Tsemperou to the southeast and the Lykaion to the west. Its elevation is 430 m above sea level. The river Alfeios flows through this valley, coming from the east and flowing to the north, passing south and west of the town. Its tributary Elissonas passes north of the town. The large lignite deposits around Megalopoli are being exploited by open-pit mining. The Megalopoli Power Plant, 3 km northwest of the town centre, has produced electricity from this lignite since 1969.

The A7 motorway connects Megalopoli with Kalamata and Tripoli, replacing the Greek National Road 7. The Greek National Road 7 connects Megalopoli with Pyrgos via Karytaina and Andritsaina. The railway from Corinth to Kalamata passes 4 km south of the town. Megalopoli is 24 km southwest of Tripoli, 41 km north of Kalamata, 45 km northwest of Sparti and 68 km southeast of Pyrgos.

History

Megalopolis is known for its ancient ruins situated northwest of the town centre, on both banks of the river Elissonas. The ruins 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.[2] 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. In 331 BC, Megalopolis was invaded by the Spartans and there was a battle with the Macedonians that came to Megalopolis' help. The Macedonians defeated the Spartans. In 223 BC, the Spartan king Cleomenes III burnt down the city but it was reinstated by Philopoemen, the general of the Achaean League. The city was abandoned during the Middle Ages. The nearby village of Sinano (Σινάνο), situated south of the ancient city, was renamed Megalopoli after Greek Independence.

Municipality

The municipality Megalopoli was formed at the 2011 local government reform by the merger of the following 3 former municipalities, that became municipal units:[3]

Subdivisions

The municipal unit of Megalopoli is subdivided into the following communities (villages within the community in brackets):

Province

The province of Megalopoli (Greek: Επαρχία Μεγαλόπολης) was one of the provinces of the Messenia Prefecture. Its territory corresponded with that of the current municipality Megalopoli, except the municipal unit Gortyna.[4] It was abolished in 2006.

Population

Year Community Municipal unit Municipality
1920 1,776 - -
1961 2,235 - -
1981 4,875 - -
1991 4,646 8,888 -
2001 5,114 8,657 -
2011 5,779 7,890 10,687

Notable people

External links

See also

 Gortyna Trikolonoi Falanthos
Eira Valtetsi
   Megalopoli (municipal unit)  
Andania, Oichalia Falaisia
Area
15,490 km²
Population
577,903 (2011)
Capital
Tripoli
Regional unit of Arcadia
Regional unit of Argolis
Regional unit of Corinthia
Regional unit of Laconia
Regional unit of Messenia
Regional governor
Petros Tatoulis (el)
Website
ppel.gov.gr
Subdivisions of the municipality of Megalopoli
Municipal unit of Falaisia
Municipal unit of Gortyna
Municipal unit of Megalopoli

References

  1. ↑ Detailed census results 2011 (Greek)
  2. ↑ "Prehistoric Fossil May Have Inspired Greek Myths". discovery.com. March 31, 2011. Retrieved April 1, 2011. 
  3. ↑ Kallikratis law Greece Ministry of Interior (Greek)
  4. ↑ Detailed census results 1991 PDF (39 MB) (Greek) (French)
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