Igoumenitsa

Igoumenitsa Ηγουμενίτσα
Igoumenitsa form the Sea
Location
Igoumenitsa
Coordinates	39°29′N 20°16′E / 39.483°N 20.267°E / 39.483; 20.267Coordinates: 39°29′N 20°16′E / 39.483°N 20.267°E / 39.483; 20.267
Government
Country:	Greece
Periphery:	Epirus
Prefecture:	Thesprotia
Districts:	4
Mayor:	Thomas Pitoulis
Population statistics (as of 2001[1])
City
- Population:	14,710
- Area:	80.8 km2 (31 sq mi)
- Density:	182 /km2 (472 /sq mi)
Other
Time zone:	EET/EEST (UTC+2/3)
Elevation (min-max):	0 - 10 m (0 - 33 ft)
Postal:	461 00
Telephone:	26650
Auto:	ΗΝ
Website
www.igoumenitsa.gr

Igoumenitsa (Greek: Ηγουμενίτσα), is a coastal city in northwestern Greece. It is the capital of the prefecture Thesprotia. Its original ancient name used to be Titani.

Igoumenitsa is a picturesque small town with lots of green (the dominating forest can be easily seen in the picture), beaches with crystal clear blue waters, and green mountains surrounding the town. The new 670 km Egnatia Highway, which serves northern Greece, terminates at Igoumenitsa.

History

In ancient times Igoumenitsa was known as Titani, (Gitani, Gitana, Goumani) and was one of the most important towns of the Kingdom of Thesprotis during the 4th century BC, covering 28 hectares. The circumference of its walls was 2,400 metres. The walls had four gates. Internal walls, in the shape of a sickle, divided the city in half. Its most noteworthy tower, located at the top of the hill, was round, and is thought to have been a religious sanctuary. Excavations have revealed a theatre which seats 2,500 and ruins of two temples.

The city was a meeting place of the Epirote League (Livy 42.38.1). A spur near Philiates between the Kalamas River, the acropolis had a fine semicircular tower. A small theater, towers, and gateways which are still visible. The Kalamas may have been navigable to this point. The city was destroyed by the Romans in 167 BC and later on it was annexed into the Roman Empire.

During World War II Igoumenitsa was burned by Cham Albanian collaborationist bands.^[2]

Subdivisions

• Ethiniki Antistasi
• Igoumenitsa
• Lakka
• Liofyta
• Pestaniotika

Municipal districts

• Agia Marina
  • Myloi
  • Vasilikos
• Agios Vlassios
• Graikochori
  • Drosia
  • Filothei
• Kastri
• Kryovrysi
• Ladochori
• Mavroudi
  • Pigadi
• Nea Selefkia
  • Ampelia

Historical population

Climate

The average rainfall in Igoumenitsa is around 1,100 mm. By comparison in Athens it is only 380 mm; in Crete it is 640 mm, and in Ioannina 1,300 mm.

The temperature table are dated as of 2005.

The water is safe for swimming between the months of May to November, that's only half a year. In 2005, the town had 65 rainy days, the summer had 4 rainy days with 10 hours of mix of sun and clouds each day. The last 25 years, the lowest temperature was -9°C and the highest was 43°C.

Photo Gallery

The port of Igoumenitsa

The Lichnos Beach near Igoumenitsa

See also

• List of settlements in the Thesprotia prefecture

References

External links

• Official website (Greek)
• Igoumenitsa

v • d • e   Prefectural Capitals of Greece Agios Nikolaos • Alexandroupoli • Amfissa • Argostoli • Arta • Athens • Chalcis • Chania • Chios • Corfu • Corinth • Drama • Edessa • Eleusina • Ermoupoli • Florina • Grevena • Heraklion • Igoumenitsa • Ioannina • Kalamata • Karditsa • Karpenisi • Kastoria • Katerini • Kavala • Kilkis • Komotini • Kozani • Lamia • Larissa • Lefkada • Livadeia • Messolonghi • Mytilene • Nafplion • Pallini • Patras • Piraeus • Polygyros • Preveza • Pyrgos • Rethymno • Rhodes • Serres • Sparta • Thessaloniki • Trikala • Tripoli • Vathy • Veria • Volos • Xanthi • Zakynthos