Tanagra (Greek: Τανάγρα) is a community north of Athens in Boeotia, not far from Thebes, that was noted in antiquity for its mass-produced mold-cast and fired terracotta figurines. Pausanias mentions in its location the ancient city of Graea, which is considered by certain academics to be the origin of the name Greek.

It was the site of two Battles of Tanagra, in 457 BC and 426 BC.

It can be accessed by GR-1 in the north and by a provincial road linking Thiva (Thebes) in the west. It is located SE of Thiva and Arma, SW of Schimatari and NW of Agios Thomas. The town is situated between the base and the highway. Tanagra is served by two interchanges, a partial southbound exit, a northbound entrance to the northwest and an almost-full to the east, serving access to highways 44 and 77 to the island of Euboea. Its service road lies to the south and is linked with the southeast bypass and to the military base. Farmlands surround the rest of Tanagra, and the Asopus River along with the Parnitha mountains to the south.

Today, Tanagra Air Force base is home to the 114 Combat Wing of the Hellenic Air Force, and is one of Greece's largest military bases. Its runway is about 2 km in length.

In early-2000s, a military plane which was on a training flight crashed on the runway during bad weather. There were no survivors.

On Sunday September 18, 2005, the Archangelos air show, the largest one ever organized in Greece,took place in Tanagra. It drew a crowd of more than 200,000.

Historical population

Other

Tanagra has schools, a few lyceums, a gymnasia, a few churches, a post office and a few squares (plateies).

Tanagra is mentioned in Science-fiction series The Next Generation - Darmok by Tamarian Dathon although in that context it did not refer to the Greek community, but rather to some fictional place in Tamarian history. Tamarians use metaphors to communicate ideas. In this case: "Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra", which refers to the event of the meeting of two lonely heroes Darmok and Jalad of Tamarian history at a place called Tanagra where they become best friends. Later it was used by Tamarian people to express the process of two unknown persons meeting and becoming friends, e.g.: Picard and Dathon.

External references

• Paros Directory & Information: A guide to Paros Island
• Travel to Paros: Paros travel guide
• Map and aerial photos:
  • Street map: Street map from Mapquest, MapPoint or Google
  • Satellite images: Google - image not yet available
• Coordinates:

See also

• Communities of Viotia
• Darmok (TNG episode)

Cities and towns in Greece | Boeotia | Greek military bases

Tanagra | Tanagra | Tanagra (ville) | Tanagra