| Sparta Σπάρτη |
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|---|---|
 Sparta,situated in fertile valley of River Eurotas,flanked by Taygetos-Mountains |
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| Location | |
  Sparta (municipality)
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| Coordinates | 37°4′N 22°26′E / 37.067°N 22.433°ECoordinates: 37°4′N 22°26′E / 37.067°N 22.433°E |
| Government | |
| Country: | Greece |
| Periphery: | Peloponnese |
| Prefecture: | Laconia |
| Population statistics (as of 2001[1]) | |
| City | |
| - Population: | 18,184 |
| - Area: | 84.5 km² (33 sq mi) |
| - Density: | 215 /km² (557 /sq mi) |
| Other | |
| Time zone: | EET/EEST (UTC+2/3) |
| Elevation: | 210 m (689 ft) |
| Postal: | 231 00 |
| Telephone: | 27310 |
| Auto: | ΑΚ |
Sparta (Greek: Σπάρτη) is a municipality of Laconia, Greece. It lies at the site of ancient Sparta. The population in 2001 was 18,184, of whom 14,817 lived in the town itself.
Contents |
History
Until modern times, the site of Sparta was occupied by a relatively small village that lay in the shadow of Mystras, a more important medieval Greek settlement nearby. In 1834, after the Greek War of Independence, King Otto of Greece decreed that the village was to be rebuilt into a city on the site of ancient Sparta and bear the same name as ancient Sparta (pronounced Sparti in Demotic Greek, Sparta in Tsakonian).
The modern town of Sparta was designed with the intention of creating one of the most beautiful cities in Greece through the use of tree-lined boulevards and parklands. During the monarchy, the title of Duke of Sparta was used for the Greek crown prince, the διάδοχος (diádokhos).
Modern city
At present, Sparta is the administrative capital of the prefecture of Laconia. A Laconian Doric (Spartan) dialect known as Tsakonian survives in the Laconian region of Peloponnese into the modern era, although today its number of native speakers has significantly decreased.
Sparta is the center of an agricultural plain whose focus is the Eurotas valley. It is the local center for the processing of goods such as citrus and olives.
| Year | Communal population | Municipal population |
|---|---|---|
| 1961 | 10,412 | — |
| 1981 | 12,975 | — |
| 1991 | 13,011 | 16,322 |
| 2001 | 14,817 | 19,567 |
Main sights
In the center of the town there is the Archaeological Museum and in the North West end is the Tomb of Leonidas, also known as Leonidaion, whereas the town's Cathedral is at the South West end. North of the modern town start the ruins of the ancient Sparta. Entering by the South Gate of the Acropolis, known as Lakedaemonia, there is the Rotunda, the Theater and the Temple of Athena Chalkioikos to the West and to the North is the 10th Century AC Monastic Church of Osios Nikonas. Exiting the Acropolis by the North Gate there are the remains of the earliest ancient walls, the Heroon and the Altar of Lycourgos, whereas to the East there is the Sanctuary of Artemis Orthia.
International relations
Twin towns — Sister cities
Sparta (municipality) is twinned with:
References
- ^ "Δείτε τη Διοικητική Διαίρεση" (in Greek). Hellenic Interior Ministry. www.ypes.gr. http://www.ypes.gr/UserFiles/f0ff9297-f516-40ff-a70e-eca84e2ec9b9/D_diairesi.xls. Retrieved 2009-09-09.
External links
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