Argyroupoli

Argyroupoli Αργυρούπολη
The church of the Holy Triad
Argyroupoli
Location within Athens
Coordinates: 37°54′N 23°45′E / 37.900°N 23.750°E / 37.900; 23.750Coordinates: 37°54′N 23°45′E / 37.900°N 23.750°E / 37.900; 23.750
Country	Greece
Administrative region	Attica
Regional unit	South Athens
Municipality	Elliniko-Argyroupoli
Districts	Ano and Kato Argyroupoli
• Municipal unit	8.228 km² (3.177 sq mi)
Elevation	50 m (160 ft)
Population (2011)^[1]
• Municipal unit	34,097
• Municipal unit density	4,100/km² (11,000/sq mi)
Time zone	EET (UTC+2)
• Summer (DST)	EEST (UTC+3)
Postal code	164 xx
Area code(s)	210
Vehicle registration	Z
Website	http://www.elliniko-argyroupoli.gr/

Argyroupoli (Greek: Αργυρούπολη) is a suburb in the southern part of the Athens agglomeration, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the Elliniko-Argyroupoli municipality, of which it is the seat and a municipal unit.^[2]

Name

The city's name derives from the Greek words άργυρος (árgyros meaning silver) and πόλη (poli meaning city). The name's older form was Argyroupolis. The first name of the settlement was New Argyroupolis, given by the refugees from Gümüşhane.

History

As a part of the population exchange between Greece and Turkey after the Greco-Turkish war of 1919-1922, a number of refugees fled to Attica from the former Ottoman Empire. In 1926, refugees from Argyroupolis in northeastern Turkey (modern Gümüşhane meaning "silver house") arrived in site, then named Ktima Geroulanou (Greek: Κτήμα Γερουλανου). They named the new settlement Nea Argyroupolis as a remembrance to their old hometown. There was persumambly much resemblance between the two towns as, Argyroupoli is built on a plain with the Hymettus mountain to its north, as Gümüşhane is built on a plain with the Pontic Alps to the north. One of the first tasks of the settlers was to built the church of Αγία Βαρβάρα (St. Barbara), named after the patron saint of the now Turkish city.

During the Second World War, the settlement was used by the Germans to protect their ammunition and airplanes that were stationed in the nearby airfield. On December 6, 1943, the settlement was bombed by the RAF. Although there were reportedly no casualties amongst the population, the settlement was razed to the ground.

The settlement was part of the community of Kalamaki until 1949, when it became a separate community. It was elevated to municipality status in 1972.^[3]

Geography

Argyroupoli is situated on the southwestern foot of the Hymettus mountain, 9 km (6 mi) south of Athens city centre. It borders Ilioupoli municipality to the North, Alimos municipality and Elliniko municipal district to the West and Glyfada municipality to the South. The city is traversed by the Vouliagmenis Avenue, connecting downtown Athens with the southern suburbs. The three major shopping districts are Kyprou Avenue, M. Geroulanou Avenue and part of Vouliagmenis Avenue. Numerous public bus lines run through Argyroupoli connecting the city with Athens center and Glyfada. The subway stations that serve the suburb are Argyroupoli metro station and Alimos metro station.

Kosta Varnali Square in Argyroupoli

Argyroupoli has a mild climate, affected by the sea and the mountain. It rarely snows, but rain is common. During summer, high temperatures are recorded.