Komotini
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 Komotini (Κομοτηνή) |
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| Coordinates | 41°6′ N 25°25′ E | |
| Country | Greece | |
| Periphery | East Macedonia and Thrace | |
| Prefecture | Rhodope | |
| Population | 52,659 source (2001) | |
| Area | 288.5 km² | |
| Population density | 183 /km² | |
| Elevation | 45 m | |
| Postal code | 691 00 | |
| Area code | 25310 | |
| Licence plate code | ΚΟ | |
| Website | www.komotini.gr | |
Komotini or Komotene (Greek: Κομοτηνή, Turkish: Gümülcine, Bulgarian: Гюмюрджина, Latin transcipt Gyumyurdzhina) is a city in north-eastern Greece. The history of this busy Greek city reflects its position as a commercial centre at the cross-roads of civilisations. It is the capital of the periphery of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace and the Rhodope Prefecture. It is also the centre of the administration of Rhodope-Evros super-prefecture. Also based in the city is the Democritus University of Thrace, which opened in 1973.
The city is flat, built on the Thracian plain and next to the feet of the Rhodope Mountains at an altitude of 32-38m. There is little urban planning, particularly in the Old Town. Exceptions to this rule are the most recently constructed quarters. Trying to abolish the image of a cluster of oriental slums, the inhabitants of the city have been endeavouring to highlight its European image. According to the 2001 census, the city's population amounts to 65,000, a number that includes the approximately 13,000 resident students, trainees and soldiers.
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[edit] History
The city's history is practically contemporary with that of Via Egnatia, the Roman road which connected Dyrrhachium with Constantinople and grew with that trade route, firstly under the shadow of Maximianopolis and then under Ottoman occupation, while the Christian element was acutely suppressed. In the Byzantine Era, it was known as Koumoutzina or Komotina; and in the Ottoman Era, Komotini was known as Gümülcine - a name it has retained amongst its Turkish minority (Greek state prefers to refer to them as Muslim minority. During the first Balkan War, Bulgarian forces captured the city, only to surrender it back to the Greek army during the second Balkan War on July 14, 1913. The Treaty of Bucharest, however, handed the city back to Bulgaria and Greece decided to respect it. Despite various schemes by the Greek inhabitants to avoid Bulgarian occupation, the city remained in the jurisdiction of Bulgaria until the end of World War I. In this period, a sort-lived independent state, the Republic of Gumuljina, was established in Western Thrace. Komotini (Gümülcine), was declared as capital city of that state. In 1919, in the Treaty of Neuilly, Komotini was handed back to Greece, along with the rest of Western Thrace.
[edit] Komotini today
At the heart of the city lie the evergreen Central Park of Agia Paraskevi and the 15 m-high WW2 Heroes' Memorial, locally known as 'The Sword'. The revamped Central square or Plateia Irinis (Square of Peace) is the focus of a vibrant nightlife boosted by the huge number of students living in the city.
The Old commercial centre is very popular with tourists as it houses traditional shops and workshops that have long vanished from other Greek cities. In addition, in the northwestern outskirts of the city (Nea Mosinoupoli) locals and tourists alike flock into a modern shopping mall: Kosmopolis Park, which houses department stores, shops, supermarkets, a cinema complex, cafés and restaurants.
Southwest of the central square one can find the Open-air Municipal Theatre, which hosts many cultural shows and events such as the cultural summer (πολιτιστικό καλοκαίρι = politistiko kalokairi). There is a Regional Theatre (DIPETHE) whose company produces many plays all year round. Komotini has several museums including the Archaeological, Byzantine and Folklore museums.
6 km NE of Komotini is the Nymfaia forest. It has recreational facilities which comprise trails, courts, playgrounds and space for environmental studies. The forest is divided by a paved road which leads to the Byzantine fortress and the historical fort of Nymfaia.
The population is extremely multilingual for a city of this size and it is made up of local Greeks, Greek refugees from Asia Minor, Greek Muslims, Turks, Pomaks, Roma, descendants of Armenian refugees, and recent refugees from the countries of the former USSR (mainly Georgia, Armenia, Russia and Kazakhstan).
[edit] Education
Komotini is a well known university town in the North of Greece, and it is the home of several universities including the Law School of University of Thrace, the Athletic Academy, the University of Economics and a few more. [1] The Komotini campus has a population of aprox. 5.000 students and a major part of social life evolves around it. The founding of the University of Thrace in 1973 has had a significant influence in the whole area. [2]
[edit] Departments of the city
Historic Commercial Centre, Armenio, Kavakliotika, Plaka, Stathmos, Nea Mosinoupoli, Agia Varvara/Stratones, Neoktista, Agios Stylianos, Zimvrakaki, Ergatika Stathmou, Ergatika DEI
[edit] Suburbs
Komotini Industrial Zone, Panepistimioupoli / Democritus University Campus, Ifaistos, Kosmio, Thrilorio, Roditis, Karidia, Ampelokipoi, Kikidio, Ifantes
[edit] Other
Komotini is the administrative seat of the Eastern Macedonia and Thrace region, the Democritus University (third biggest in the country) and numerous governmental organisations. It has primary schools, gymnasia, lyceums, a Police Academy, Army bases, 7 University departments, banks, a post office, 3 Sports centres, a train station (Thessaloniki - Drama - Alexandroupoli) an Intercity Bus Station and several squares (plateies). Komotini also has one of the biggest and better organised Industrial Areas in Greece.
[edit] Transportation
Komotini does not have a civilian airport but is well-served by two airports. The nearest one is in Alexandroupoli (65km) and the other is in Kavala (110km). It has good rail and bus links to all continental Greek cities and the good provincial road network has been supplemented by the new Egnatia Motorway.
[edit] Sports teams
- Panthrakikos- 2nd Division Football Team
- G.A.S. Komotini- Basketball, Football and Swimming teams
- A.E.Komotini- Basketball, Volleyball and Football teams
- Olympiada- Track and Field
[edit] Historical population
| Year | Population | Change | Municipal population | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 37,487 | - | 40,141 | - |
| 1991 | 37,036 | 461/-1.20% | 45,934 | 5,793/14.432% |
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Komotini's City Portal
- Komotini's Commercial Portal
- Komotini's News
- Mapquest - Komotini,
- Air Photos
- Komotini's Archaeological Museum
- Komotini's Byzantine Museum
- Basket Knitter Museum of the Romas,
- e-city.gr Tourist Guide
- Democritus University of Thrace
- Panthrakikos Football Club
- Komotini's Shopping and Entertainment Park
- Umbrella organisation of Western Thrace Turks and UN-ECOSOC member: Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe
| Municipalities and communities of the Rhodope Prefecture |
|---|
| Aigeiros • Arriana • Fillyra • Iasmos • Komotini • Maroneia • Neo Sidirochori • Sapes • Sostis |
| Amaxades • Kechros • Organi |
