Xánthi

Xanthi Ξάνθη
Location
Xanthi
Coordinates	41°8′N 24°53′E / 41.133°N 24.883°E / 41.133; 24.883Coordinates: 41°8′N 24°53′E / 41.133°N 24.883°E / 41.133; 24.883
Government
Country:	Greece
Periphery:	East Macedonia and Thrace
Prefecture:	Xanthi
Mayor:	Michalis Stelianidis
Population statistics (as of 2001[1])
City
- Population:	52,270
- Area:	153.116 km2 (59 sq mi)
- Density:	341 /km2 (884 /sq mi)
Other
Time zone:	EET/EEST (UTC+2/3)
Elevation (center):	80 m (262 ft)
Postal:	671 00
Telephone:	2541
Auto:	AH
Website
www.cityofxanthi.gr

Xanthi (Greek: Ξάνθη, Xánthi, IPA: [ˈksanθi]; Turkish: İskeçe) is a city in Thrace, northeastern Greece. It is the capital of the Xanthi Prefecture of the periphery of East Macedonia and Thrace.

History

Known references to Xanthi (Ξάνθη), or Xanthia (Ξάνθεια), date back to 879 AD.^[2] It began as a small village and experienced all the tumultuous periods of the history of Thrace, such as raids, disasters, ethnic conflicts, civil wars. The population of the region of Xanthi had dwindled down to almost nothing and almost everything had been destroyed. This was the situation when the Ottomans arrived in the region. For this reason, the Ottomans brought settlers from the depths of Asia Minor, which is how Genisea (Γενισέα) was created, while Oreo (Ωραίο) and Xanthi remained mainly Greek and Christian centres.

Genisea Era

By 1715, Xanthi, as well as Genisea, became renowned for its tobacco quality. Many foreign sightseers traveled throughout the region and described both the life and struggles of the locals. Tobacco commerce throughout Europe led Xanthi into a course of prosperity. In March and April 1829 two earthquakes literally leveled the city, however played a decisive role in the further developments. The city's re-building immediately got underway. In 1870, the city of Genisea was burned down and thus all of the agencies and services were transferred to Xanthi which, at that time, had a population of about 10,000 inhabitants. In 1891, the railroad line was established near the city, while further economic development led to the founding of schools and associations.

Balkan Wars

Following the First Balkan War, Bulgaria took the city of Xanthi in 1912, but after a period of eight months it was taken by the Greek army. Shortly thereafter, as part of the accords concluding the Balkan Wars, Xanthi and Western Thrace were ceded to Bulgaria, and remained a part of the latter until the end of World War I. Following the Bulgarian defeat in this war, Western Thrace (Δυτική Θράκη), and thus Xanthi, became a part of Greece in 1919-1920. It was occupied by Bulgaria in the period 1941-1944 during World War II.

Modern Era

Nowadays Xanthi is a modern city, rich in history, traditions and customs, and with many attractions for the visitors (including the surrounding areas). It is worth visiting the city during the Carnival (Greek: Καρναβάλι) (either February or March as dates change) and during the Old Town Festival (Γιορτές Παλιάς Πόλης) (beginning of September). Also, one should not miss the Xanthi Bazaar (Παζάρι) every Saturday. Xanthi is known as "The city of the thousand colours".

Education

• Democritus University of Thrace

Professional Sports

• Xanthi FC which plays in the Super League Greece
• Xanthi BC which plays in the Greek A2 League

Famous inhabitants of Xanthi

Manos Hadjidakis

• Democritus
• Protagoras
• Manos Hadjidakis (1925-1994) composer
• Şerif Gören: Winner of 1982 Palme d'Or in Cannes Film Festival
• Clio-Danae Othoneou, Greek actress, musician and pianist

International relations

Twin towns — Sister cities

Xanthi is twinned with:

• Biga, Turkey
• Bursa, Turkey
• Gifhorn, Lower Saxony, Germany
• Novi Beograd, Serbia
• Smolyan, Bulgaria

Municipal districts

Xanthi has three municipal districts, the municipal district of Kimmerio has half of its settlements abandoned from the 1990s.

• Evmoiro
  • Kallithea
  • Lampiri
  • Lefki
  • Nea Morsini
  • Palaia Morsini
  • Petrochori
• Kimmeria
  • Alikochori [Αλικοχώριον] (abandoned)
  • Anthiro [Ανθηρόν] (abandoned)
  • Askyra or Askira [Άσκυρα] (abandoned)
  • Gialisteri (Γιαλιστερόν ) [2001 pop: 7]
  • Eranos [Έρανος] (abandoned)
  • Ketiki [Κετίκιον] (abandoned)
  • Livadi (Λιβάδιον) [2001 pop: 5]
  • Panepistimioupoli
  • Pelekito (Πελεκητόν) [2001 pop: 4]
  • Porta [Πόρτα] (abandoned)
  • Prioni [Πριόνιον] (abandoned)
  • Ydrochori [Υδροχώριον] (abandoned)
• Xanthi

Gallery

View of the River Nestos near Xanthi.

The old city viewed from the River Kosynthos.

The central square of Xanthi as seen in 2007.

References

External links

• Democritus University of Thrace
• Municipality of Xanthi
• Thrace the land of Orpheus - Democritus University of Thrace

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