Kozani

Related Topics:
Kozani

Kozani (Greek: Κοζάνη), is a city in northern Greece, capital of Kozani Prefecture. It is in the western part of Macedonia. The city lies 710 meters above sea level, 15 km north-west of the lake Polyfytos, 120 km south-west of Thessaloniki, between the mountains Pieria, Vermio, Bourinos and Askio.

Kozani is the home of the Technological Educational Institute of West Macedonia and the department of Energy Management of the University of West Macedonia, with about 10,000 students of all over Greece and other places.

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's nearest airport is Filippos Airport, 3 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 precise origin of the name 'Kozani' remains unknown; however, one theory suggests that it may be a derivative of the ancient Greek Macedonian word kosdianos (Κοσδιανος), that is, with the letters "σδ" pronounced as a rough Z or Zh (IPA: ). Another possible theory suggest that the name may be a form of the Turkish word Kovan, meaning "beehive", perhaps referring to city's honey production, or of the South Slavic koza = goat, due to the livestock-farming of the region. In Turkish Kozan means a speed capsule or cocoon.

History

mapkozani.jpg

Antiquities, from the prehistoric until the Byzantine period, have found in many parts of the city. In the east part of Kozani, an ancient necropolis has been found, dating back from the early iron age.

Kozani was founded probably by Christian settlers who after the Ottoman conquest withdrew from the plains of Macedonia into the mountains. Its safe position soon attracted other Christians expelled from Epirus. Together with the settlers from Epirus, many cattle-breeders moved in the region.

For fisrt time Kozani was mentioned in an Ottoman register of 1528, as a settling with 91 houses, 23 singles and 15 widows (Gounaropoulos 1872, Megdanis 1820, Lioufis 1924).

One of the most important coloners of Kozani was the chief shepherd Ioannis Trantas, who came in the settling with about 100 families (Gounaropoulos 1872:488-9 and Lioufis 1924:44-5). His son, Charisios Trantas, in 1664, take Sultan Firman, with which, the town got under the Sultan mother's protection, got many privileges and was forbiden for the Turks to live in it.

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 the commercial relations with the countries of central Europe give the opportunity for the city to developed economically. During the 19th century, as foreigner travellers narrate, the population of the town was Greek and it had increasing tendentions (Leake 1835:305 and Bouè 1854:87). Kozani was liberated from the Turks on 11 October 1912.

The earthquake that happened in the region on 13 May 1995 with intensity of 6,6R had only material damages.

The city now combines modern with the old architecture. Some magnificent buildings are the clock tower, the townhall, the folklore museum, the national bank building and the mansions of Georgios Lassanis and Grigorios Vourkas. The "Koventareios" Municipal library, which is the second biggest in Greece, has 150,000 books, rare publications, valuable documents, and one of the rare copies of Rigas Feraios Charter.

Today Kozani is the administrative, commercial, economic, and transport centre of the region of West Macedonia.

Culture

Kozani's carnival

The most interesting local celebration during the carnival are the Fanoi (great bonfires) lit at the squares of Kozani, where people sing and dance around them. 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

Events on the end of summer, which constist theatrical representations, concerts, athletic events etc. They are named "Lassaneia" from Georgios Lassanis, who was from Kozani and participated in the Macedonian Struggle.

Local holidays

11 October - celebration for the liberation of the city from the Turks.
6 December - Saint Nicolas day, Kozani's patron.

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. Other famous products are marbles, Saffron (Krokos Kozanis), fruits, local wines and specialized arts and crafts industry.

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, Website
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, visitor 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.Website
Other attractions include the Vourkas Mansion and the Lassanis Mansion.
Kozani Museum of the Macedonian Struggle, a museum dedicated to the history of the Macedonian Struggle, Website
the church of Agios Nikolaos 350 years old.
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 with 1372 meters length.

Sporting teams

Communications

Television channels

Radio stations

TOP FM
West Radio
Klik FM
Radiocity
Alpha
ERA
Diva
Erotikos FM
NRG
Lampsi FM
Radio Kozani
Mousikes Idees
Radio Akroama

Newspapers

Chronos
Grammi
Kozani
Kosmos
Proini Kozanis
Proinos Logos
Tharros

Historical Population

Year	Population	Change	Municipal population	Change	Density
1981	31,120	-	-	-	-
1991	31,553	+433/+1.39%	43,395	-	127/km²
2001	35,242	+3,689/+11.7%	47,451	+4,056/+9.35%	138/km²

Transport

By bus(KTEL) for the biggest Greek cities Athens (4 times/day), Thessaloniki(every hour), Larisa, Volos, Ioannina, Patra.
By aeroplane (Olympic Airlines) the city is connected with Athens (4 times/week).
By railway (OSE) to Thessaloniki.

The public transit in the city is provided by minibuses.The traffic problems of the city have become more severe the last time.

Zone of Alternate Urban Planning

Kozani is 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. http://www.depepok.com.

Twinnings

External links

'''*http://www.kozan.gr

http://www.sourdos.gr
http://www.kozanh.com
Prefecture of Kozani
University of West Macedonia
http://www.teikoz.gr/
http://www.culture.gr/maps/macedon/kozani/kozani.html
Gr. Vourkas Mansion
http://www.macedonian-heritage.gr/HellenicMacedonia/en/C3.6.html
Forecasts in Kozani
Filippos Airport
http://www.mcm.aueb.gr/ment/spetses/Koutsompogera-Manolopoulou/kozani.htm
Kozani Gallery
live camera

In Greek:

http://www.e-city.gr/kozani/home/view/view.php

Ancient Aiane
http://www.kozan.gr
http://www.kozanh.gr

Notes and references

Gounaropoulos (1872) "Περί Κοζάνης" (=about Kozani).

Megdanis (1820).

Lioufis (1924) "Η ιστορία της Κοζάνης" (=the history of Kozani).

M.H. Hatziioannou (2000).

Cities and towns in Greece | Greek prefectural capitals | Kozani

Gourt Home::Gourt :: Kozani