Stamata

Not to be confused with Stamatia.

Stamata Σταμάτα
Stamata
Location within the regional unit
Coordinates: 38°07′N 23°52′E / 38.117°N 23.867°E / 38.117; 23.867Coordinates: 38°07′N 23°52′E / 38.117°N 23.867°E / 38.117; 23.867
Country	Greece
Administrative region	Attica
Regional unit	East Attica
Municipality	Dionysos
• Municipal unit	18.950 km² (7.317 sq mi)
Elevation	370 m (1,210 ft)
Population (2011)^[1]
• Municipal unit	2,906
• Municipal unit density	150/km² (400/sq mi)
Time zone	EET (UTC+2)
• Summer (DST)	EEST (UTC+3)
Postal code	145 75
Area code(s)	210
Vehicle registration	Zxx

Stamata (Greek: Σταμάτα) is a community in East Attica, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Dionysos, of which it is a municipal unit.^[2]

Stamata is a rather exclusive suburb, situated in the mountainous northeastern part of the Athenian plain, between the Parnitha and Penteli mountains, about 23 km northeast of Athens. Till the last decades, only the main village was inhabited, while the rural area was cultivated by the inhabitants of the village. Nowadays, there are also residences in the settlement of Amygdaleza (Αμυγδαλέζα) and the residential associations of Euxeinos Pontos (Εύξεινος Πόντος) and Prokonisos (Προκόνησος). Stamata could be designated rather as a rural than a suburban area, but luxury houses and villas are continuously being developed in the last years, mainly in the aforementioned residential associations, turning Stamata into an upper middle class suburb.

Land use

A beautiful pine forest covers the largest part of Stamata, where any kind of development is strictly prohibited by law, although it is an open secret that there are various cases of trespassing and environmental devastation. The residential areas cover only a small part, while in the remaining rural areas, there are sheepcotes, farmlands and vineyards.

Legend

Stamata is believed to lie along the route run by Pheidippides on his mythical journey to declare victory in the Battle of Marathon, which gave its name to the marathon sporting event. According to the legend, Pheidippides was urged to stop (Greek: Σταμάτα) while passing through the community, hence giving it its name.