Everything about Kozani totally explained
Kozani is a city in northern
Greece, capital of
Kozani Prefecture and of
West Macedonia periphery. It is located in the western part of
Macedonia, in the northern part of the
Aliakmonas river valley. The city lies 710 meters above sea level, 15 kilometers north-west of the
artificial lake Polyfytos, 120 km south-west of
Thessaloniki, between the mountains
Pieria,
Vermio,
Bourinos and
Askio. Its population is estimated at about 50,000.
The climate of the area is continental with cold and dry winters, and hot summers.
Kozani is the home of the
Technological Educational Institute of Western Macedonia and the
University of Western Macedonia, with about 15,000 students from all over
Greece and other places. It is also the seat of West Macedonia's
court of appeal,
police department,
fire brigade, the seat of the
I Army Corps of the Hellenic Army and of
Servia and Kozani Bishop.
One of the most important aspects of local
folklore is Kozani's
carnival at the end of the winter, which retains much of the
profanity of the ancient
Dionysiac cult.
Kozani is renowned in Greece and abroad for the production of the Greek Macedonian
Saffron (
Krokos Kozanis), in the near town of
Krokos.
Kozani is a
transport node between
Central Macedonia,
Thessaly and
Epirus. The nearest airport is
Filippos Airport, 4 km from the city, IATA code: KZI. The airport was first opened in the mid-20th century. Kozani is situated near the
Egnatia Highway, which connects the coast of the Ionian Sea with Thessaloniki and Turkish borders.
Etymology
The name "Kozani" probably derives from the
South Slavic kožani <
koža 'skin (goatskin)'. The name of the city in
South Slavic languages is Кожани (
Kožani).
According to the prevailing opinion, the name comes from the village of
Epirus Kósdiani, the origin of settlers of Kozani in
1392. The settlement was first named Kózdiani, which then, it was changed into Kóziani, and in the end into Kozáni.
(External Link
);
History
Neolithic times - Ancient period - Byzantine period
Antiquities from the prehistoric to the Byzantine period have been unearthed in many parts of the city. In the east part of Kozani, an ancient
necropolis has been found, dating to the early
Iron Age
During
Philip II of Macedon's reign, the region was named
Elimeia, which was part of
Upper Macedonia. In the south-west of the modern city, in
Siopoto hill, there was a settlement named
Kalyvia, between
1100 and
1300, traces of which are still preserved.
Ottoman period - Balkan wars - modern times
Kozani was probably founded by Christian settlers who, after the
Ottoman conquest, withdrew from the plains of
Macedonia into the mountains, during
14th and
15th century. Its secure position soon attracted other
Christians expelled from
Epirus, in
1392. Together with the settlers from Epirus, many cattle-breeders moved in the region.
The first recorded mention of Kozani is in an Ottoman register of 1528, as a settlement with 91 houses, 23 singles and 15 widows.
One of the most important colonizers of Kozani was the chief shepherd
Ioannis Trantas, who settled about 100 families. His son,
Charisios Trantas, managed to obtain a Sultan's
firman in 1664, according to the terms of which the town came under the protection of the Sultan's mother, was endowed with many privileges, and became forbidden for the Turks to settle in.
In 1664, the magnificent
church of Agios Nikolaos was built. In 1668, the
library and the famous school of Kozani were founded. During the 17th and 18th century, commercial relations with the countries of
central Europe gave the opportunity for the city to flourish economically. During the 19th century, as foreigner travellers narrate, the population of the town was
Greek, and was growing (
Leake 1835:305 and
Bouè 1854:87).
The town's growth was disrupted in 1770, because of conflict that erupted between Kozani's local inhabitants and Kozanite merchants in central Europe, who contributed to the town's prosperity; even more catastrophically, the city was pillaged by Turkish
beys in 1770. A subsequent incursion by Aslan bey, in 1830, ravaged the city immensely. According to the
1904 population census, 12,000
Greeks and 350
Vlachs were living in Kozani at the time.
The
Greek army entered Kozani on
11 October 1912, during the
First Balkan War, after its victory against the Ottoman army in the
Battle of Sarantaporo. By this time, the population of the town was 12,000
Orthodox Greeks. In
1923, during the
population exchange between Greece and Turkey, about 1,400 Greek families from
Pontus and
Asia minor were settled in Kozani.
In the 20th century, the city grew tremendously, as lignite reserves in the area started being used by
Public Power Corporation, making Kozani the foremost producer of electrical power in Greece.
An
earthquake that occurred in the region on
13 May 1995, with a magnitude of 6.6 on the
Richter scale caused only property damage.
The city now combines modern with old architecture. Some magnificent buildings are the
Clock tower, the
Townhall, the
Folklore museum, the "Valtadoreio"
Gymnasium, the
National Bank building, the "Ermioneion"
Hotel and the
mansions of
Georgios Lassanis and
Grigorios Vourkas.
The Municipal
library of Kozani called "Kovendareios" is the second biggest in Greece, and it has 150,000 books, rare publications, valuable documents, and one of the rare copies of
Rigas Feraios Charter. For this reason Kozani was included in the
National Cultural Network of Cities with object the promotion of the Book and Reading. Thus it was established the
Institute of Book and Reading and Kozani is known as
city of Book.
Today Kozani is the administrative, commercial, economic, and transport centre of the region of
West Macedonia.
Culture
Kozani carnival
The most interesting local celebration during the
carnival(External Link) are the
Fanoi (great bonfires), which are lit in the squares of Kozani. Around them, people sing and dance mainly scoptic songs and local dances, such as the best known song in the region - the
Enteka of Kozani (
(External Link),
(External Link)), often called Kozani's "national anthem". All celebrations become more exciting on the Sunday of the last week, after the carnival parade, when bonfires are lit all over the town which burn until the early morning hours.
Lassaneia festival
Events at the end of summer, which consist of theatrical representations, concerts, athletic events etc. They are named "Lassaneia" from
Georgios Lassanis, who was from Kozani and participated in the
Greek War of Independence.
Niaimeros fair
Fair in the north of the city in the Niaimeros place. It takes place on the first Tuesday of October. It used to last 9 days (
niaimeros = nine days), but now it lasts only 3 days.
Local holidays
- 11 October - celebration for the liberation of the city from the Turks.
- 6 December - Saint Nicolas day, Kozani's patron.
The municipal Band is named Pandora. It was founded in 1902, and it takes part in all the events and celebrations.
Economy
The city is mostly known for the important contribution to the Greek
electricity supply, and a large part of the population works in the factories which produce electricity from coal (
DEI - Greek national electrical company). In the region, 80% of the electric energy of the country is produced. Other famous products are
marble,
Saffron (
Krokos Kozanis),
fruits, local
wines and specialized arts and crafts industry. A lot of
banks have
branches in Kozani. The local bank is named co-operative
Bank of Kozani.
The Commercial Exhibition of Kozani
It takes part in the Exhibition Center of
West Macedonia in
Koila Kozanis every September. Many firms from
Greece and other Balkan countries participate especially with locals products.
Sites of interest
Kozani Archaeological Museum.
Kozani museum of folklore and natural history is a place worth visiting. It is built according to old Macedonian architecture, and in its 6 floors, visitors can see everything about the georgaphy, natural history, flora and animals of the region, as well as the history, the traditions and the past way of life in Kozani.
Kozani Museum of modern local history.
Kozani Museum of the Macedonian Struggle, a museum dedicated to the history of the Macedonian Struggle.
The church of Agios Nikolaos 350 years old.
Other attractions include the Grigorios Vourkas Mansion and the Georgios Lassanis Mansion. The second one lies in a central square, named Lassani Square.
The Municipal Park Kouri, the Park of Agios Dimitrios where you can see the Cultural Center and the Municipal Theatre of Kozani, and the hill of Xenia with the nice view of all the city
The bridge above the lake of Polyfytos. It is the longest bridge in Greece and measures 1372 meters in length.
Sporting teams
Kozani FC (Greek Fourth Division) Kozani F.C.
FC Makedonikos
Lassanis Kozanis BC
Communications
Media
Historical Population
| Year |
Population |
Change |
Municipal population |
Change |
Density |
| 1971 |
23,240 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
| 1981 |
31,120 |
+7,880/ +33.9% |
- |
- |
- |
| 1991 |
31,553 |
+433/ +1.39% |
43,395 |
- |
119/km² |
| 2001 |
38,591 |
+7,038/ +22.3% |
49,812 |
+6,417/+14.8% |
136/km² |
Transport
Kozani is accessed with Motorway Egnatia (or GR-2, or E90) from Ioannina and Thessaloniki, GR-3 (or E65) from Larissa and Florina, GR-4 and GR-20.
By bus(KTEL) for the biggest Greek cities Athens (4 times/day - 470 km), Thessaloniki (every hour - 120 km), Larisa (120 km), Volos, Ioannina (160 km), Patra.
By aeroplane (Olympic Airlines) the city is connected with Athens (4 times/week) from Filippos Airport which lies 3 km south-east of Kozani.
By railway (OSE) to Thessaloniki (Railway Line Kozani - Amyntaio).
The public transit in the city is provided by minibuses, and between the center and the municipal departments, it's provided by Transit buses. The traffic problems of the city have become more severe during the last few years.
Subdivisions and Zone of Alternate Urban Planning
Kozani has 20 municipal departments and it's developing into a nodal town of the Western Balkans, with areas and activities of a wider regional nature. Within this context, the municipality of Kozani is creating a modern satellite town, the Kozani Zone of Alternate Urban Planning (ZEP). The Municipal Corporation of alternate planning and development of Kozani S.A.(DEPEPOK) was established in order to implement the projects of the ZEP.
The ZEP is strategically located on 50 ha south-west of Kozani, and aims to become a model development centre, attracting an urban population and economic activities from throughout Western Macedonia in Greece and the Western Balkans.
Other known neighborhoods of Kozani are Sk'rka, Ipirotika, Gitia, Agios Athanasios, Platania.
The 20 municipal departments of Kozani are:
Climate
The climate of the area is continental with cold and dry winters, and hot summers.
| Month |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Year |
| Avg high temperature °C (°F) | 6 (43) |
8 (48) |
11 (53) |
17 (63) |
20 (69) |
25 (78) |
29 (85) |
27 (82) |
25 (77) |
18 (66) |
13 (56) |
6 (43) |
17 (64)
|
| Highest Recorded Temperature °C (°F) | 18 (66) |
18 (66) |
21 (70) |
27 (81) |
30 (86) |
36 (97) |
37 (99) |
35 (95) |
31 (88) |
27 (81) |
25 (77) |
16 (61) |
37 (99)
|
| Avg low temperature °C (°F) | -1 (29) |
0 (32) |
1 (34) |
6 (44) |
10 (50) |
13 (57) |
16 (62) |
16 (61) |
13 (56) |
8 (47) |
4 (40) |
0 (33) |
7 (45)
|
| Lowest Recorded Temperature °C (°F) | -16 (3) |
-8 (16) |
-11 (12) |
-5 (23) |
2 (37) |
7 (46) |
11 (52) |
7 (45) |
7 (45) |
-2 (28) |
-5 (23) |
-12 (9) |
-16 (3)
|
| Source: Weatherbase |
Education
There are 18 Primary schools in Kozani, and another 8, in the municipal departments of Vatero, Kariditsa, Koila, Lefkovrysi, Lefkopigi, Nea Charavgi, Xirolimni and Petrana. The Gymnasiums of the city are 8, and there are two more in the municipal departments of Lefkopigi and Xirolimni. There are also 4 Lyceums, 4 Technical Schools (TEE), some Business Schools and one municipal Odeum.
Kozani is the home of the Technological Educational Institute of Western Macedonia - one of the biggest in Greece (founded on 1976). Three of its Faculties are in the city - the Faculty of Administration and Economy, Technological Applications and Health. (The rest of them are in other places of West Macedonia). The seat of the University of Western Macedonia (External Link) and its Faculty of Engineering, they're also in Kozani. The University was founded in 2002. The number of the students in the region is 15,000, and they come from all over Greece and other places.
Health
The General State Hospital of Kozani, "Mamatseio" or Mamatseio General Hospital operates since 1953. It is named after the donor of the building, Konstantinos Mamatsios, and it serves the needs of all the region. There are also a private general medical center and clinic, an Obstetric clinic, and two Psychiatric hospitals.
Notable people
Georgios Sakellarios, (1765-1838) educator
Georgios Lassanis, (1793-1870) scholar and politician
Georg Johannes Karajanis, great-great-grandfather of conductor Herbert von Karajan
Evripidis Bakirtzis, (1895-1947), politician
Georgios Parakeimenos, educator
Nikolas Asimos, (1949-1988) composer and singer
Anna Diamantopoulou, (1959) politician, former EU Commissioner, for Employment and Social Affairs, in the Prodi Commission
Elias Atmatsidis, (1969)Football goalkeeper
Ieroklis Stoltidis, (1975) footballer
Kalliopi Vetta, singer
Ioannis Amanatidis, (1981) footballer
Twinnings
Bristol, Connecticut, USA, since November 2, 1987.
Iaşi, Romania
Local cuisine
A typical dish in Kozani is the so called Giaprakia. The main ingredients are meat and rice in salty vine-leaf, having the shape of a ball. It is used often as Christmas food. Kichi (Kozanitiko kichi) is called another local dish, which is actually a cheese pie with circular form.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Kozani'.
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