Avdella

For other uses, see Avdella (disambiguation).
Avdella
Αβδέλλα

A view of Avdella
Avdella

Coordinates: 40°01′N 21°08′E / 40.017°N 21.133°E / 40.017; 21.133Coordinates: 40°01′N 21°08′E / 40.017°N 21.133°E / 40.017; 21.133
Country Greece
Administrative region West Macedonia
Regional unit Grevena
Municipality Grevena
 • Municipal unit 43.243 km2 (16.696 sq mi)
Highest elevation 1,350 m (4,430 ft)
Lowest elevation 1,250 m (4,100 ft)
Population (2011)[1]
 • Municipal unit 280
 • Municipal unit density 6.5/km2 (17/sq mi)
Community
Time zone EET (UTC+2)
 • Summer (DST) EEST (UTC+3)
Postal code 510 32
Area code(s) +30-2462-xxx-xxx
Vehicle registration ΡΝ

Avdella (Greek: Αβδέλλα; Aromanian: Avdhela) is a village and a former municipality in Grevena regional unit, West Macedonia, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform, it has been a municipal unit of Grevena.[2] It is a seasonal Vlach (Aromanian) village in the Pindus mountains, at 1250–1350 metres altitude. Its summer population is about 3000, but in the winter there are only a few watchmen. The 2011 census recorded 280 inhabitants.[1] It is notable as the birthplace of the Manakis brothers, and appears in the opening sequence of the film Ulysses' Gaze. The community of Avdella covers an area of 43.243 km2.[3]

History

The first foundation of Avdella remains unknown. Perhaps it was connected to the creation of settlements on the mountain range of Smolikas with the delivery of veterinary surgeon activity of region. In the beginning, Vlach families created small family settlements which were fused and became a single settlement such as current Avdella. The foundation and the growth of Avdella is associated with the rise of livestock-farming taking into account the pastoral habits of the locals. Before 1800, the village was situated in the "Fantines", but the residents, mostly large families of Vlach shepherds moved to the current position due to better climate.

Under Ottoman rule, Avdella was in the kaza of Grevena, Sanjak of Serfice (modern Servia), Vilayet of Monastir (modern Bitola).

The first Romanian school in the region of modern Greece was founded in Avdella in 1867 by local Aromanian Apostol Margarit.[4]

Some authors claim that Avdela was a center of pro-Romanian sentiment in the beginning of the 20th century. It is said to have been burned in October 1905 by Greek antartes because of this.[5] Others claim it was a stronghold of Greek nationalism, contributing leaders such as Zisis Verros and Ioannis Hatzigiannis to the Greek forces in the Macedonian Struggle.[6]

On 14 July 1944, the village was burned again by a group of German Nazis, during their retreat.

Population

Year Population[7]
1928 86
1940 424
1951 6
1961 2
1971 4
1981 360
1991 130
2001 448
2011[1] 280

Notable people

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 "Απογραφή Πληθυσμού - Κατοικιών 2011. ΜΟΝΙΜΟΣ Πληθυσμός" (in Greek). Hellenic Statistical Authority.
  2. ↑ Kallikratis law Greece Ministry of Interior (Greek)
  3. ↑ Πίνακας 3. Πραγματικός πληθυσμός, επιφάνεια και πυκνότητα του πληθυσμού, με διάκριση σε αστικές και αγροτικές περιοχές καθώς και σε πεδινές, ημιορεινές και ορεινές περιοχές. Μέσος σταθμικός των υψομέτρων. (PDF) (in Greek). Ελληνική Στατιστική Αρχή (Hellenic Statistical Authority). Retrieved 11 December 2013.
  4. ↑ Ласку, Стоjка. Од историjaта на ароманскиот печат во Македониjа. Списаниjата "Братство" и "Светлина", Скопjе 2007, с. 122
  5. ↑ Христо Силянов. „Освободителните борби на Македония“, том IІ, стр.264.
  6. ↑ Ιωάννης Σ. Κολιόπουλος (επιστημονική επιμέλεια), Αφανείς, γηγενείς Μακεδονομάχοι, Εταιρεία Μακεδονικών Σπουδών, University Studio Press, Θεσσαλονίκη, 2008, σελ. 20
  7. ↑ Επίτομο Γεωγραφικό Λεξικό της Ελλάδος (Geographical Dictionary of Greece), Μιχαήλ Σταματελάτος, Φωτεινή Βάμβα-Σταματελάτου, εκδ. Ερμής, ΑΘήνα 2001

See also

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