Margariti
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Margariti municipality Δημοτική Ενότητα Μαργαριτίου (Μαργαρίτι) |
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| Basic data | |||
| State : |
 Greece
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| Region : |
Epirus
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| Regional District : | Thesprotia | ||
| Municipality : | Igoumenitsa | ||
| Geographic coordinates : | 39 ° 22 ′ N , 20 ° 25 ′ E | ||
| Height above d. M .: | 121-300 m Mesovounio |
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| Area : | 149.223 km² | ||
| Residents : | 2,491 (2011) | ||
| Population density : | 16.7 inhabitants / km² | ||
| Code No .: | 200102 | ||
| Structure: | 7 local communities | ||
| Website: | www.sagiada.gr | ||
| Located in the municipality of Igoumenitsa and Thesprotia regional unit | |||
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Margariti ( Greek Μαργαρίτι ( n. Sg. ), Albanian Margëlleçi ) is a village in the municipality of the same name in the Greek municipality of Igoumenitsa . Recognized as a rural community (kinotita) in 1919 , Margariti became a municipal community (dimos) in 1997 after several surrounding villages were incorporated . In 2010 it was incorporated into Igoumenitsa, where the previous municipality has since formed a municipality.
Location and character
Margariti is a village in a green, slightly hilly landscape in the interior, about 30 kilometers south of Igoumenitsa. It is on the right of the Parga – Igoumenitsa road at an altitude of 240 meters.
Charming Venetian buildings and the minaret of a Turkish mosque make Margariti a romantic place. On a walk through the town you will find a platia, small shops, taverns and cafes.
Administrative division
From the amalgamation of six rural communities and the village of Mesovouni of the former rural community of Ambelia, the municipality of Margariti was formed after the municipal reform in 1997 . The seat of the municipal administration was Margariti. In the course of the administrative reform in 2010, this municipality became one of five municipal districts in the new municipality of Igoumenitsa . The municipality is divided into seven local communities that elect local representatives.
| Local community | Greek name | code | Area (km²) | Residents 2011 | Villages and settlements |
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| Margariti | Τοπική Κοινότητα Μαργαριτίου | 20010201 | 34.020 | 783 | Kalodiki, Margariti, Paleokastro |
| Eleftherio | Τοπική Κοινότητα Ελευθερίου | 20010202 | 10,072 | 272 | Eleftherio, Pyrgi |
| Karteri | Τοπική Κοινότητα Καρτερίου | 20010203 | 14.735 | 248 | Karteri |
| Katavothra | Τοπική Κοινότητα Καταβόθρας | 20010204 | 16.872 | 263 | Katavothra, Milokokkia |
| Mazarakia | Τοπική Κοινότητα Μαζαρακιάς | 20010205 | 20,593 | 473 | Korda, Mazarakia, Panena |
| Mesovouni | Τοπική Κοινότητα Μεσοβουνίου | 20010206 | 7.644 | 159 | Mesovouni |
| Spatharei | Τοπική Κοινότητα Σπαθαραίων | 20010207 | 45.287 | 293 | Spatharei, Morfi |
| total | 200102 | 149.223 | 2491 | ||
history
Polygonal walls, ancient graves and coins have been found in the area as evidence of early settlement.
As early as 1303, the fief of a Venetian named Contareno under the name Vestrova has been documented in the municipality.
In its current location, the place was built by the Venetians since 1438. In 1449 it was conquered by the Turks.
The Islamization of the Çamen population group ( Greek Τσάμηδες ), combined with the privileges granted by the Ottomans, made them the most powerful landowners in western Epirus. The Aghas of Margariti were notorious for their cruel treatment of the population. In 1631 and 1668 there was bloody fighting between the Aghas and Greek insurgents.
From 1776 to 1779 Margariti was visited by the national and spiritual leader, Saint Cosmas Aitolus . It was liberated by the Greek army on February 23, 1913 during the First Balkan War . In 1915 there were 2600 inhabitants.
Until the end of the Second World War , Margariti was also inhabited by a large number of Albanians , the so-called Çamen . However, after they were accused of collaboration with the Axis powers, the Greek authorities had almost the entire Albanian-speaking population of the village, as well as other localities of Thesprotiens (Alb. Çamëria ) expelled. The area was ethnically cleansed in this way and the previously multi-ethnic structure of the population was changed in favor of the Greeks . Since the fall of communism in Albania , Albanian parties and organizations, including the Justice, Integration and Unity Party and the Red and Black Alliance, have tried and are still trying to solve this decades-old crime. Many Albanian media also became aware of this situation, including one of the largest private broadcasters in Albania, Top Channel (TCH). In 2011 a small team of journalists, led by Marin Mema , visited Margariti and carried out a report. Mema also tried to establish contact with any remaining Çamen families, but the local police and community authorities became aware of the team and told them that there were a total of 6 Albanian families in Margariti who had immigrated as job seekers after 1990. Because of this fact, the authorities saw no reason for the TCH team to stay in Margariti. On the way back to Albania, however, Mema's team was followed by unknown vehicles and at the border crossing on the Greek side they tried to delay the reporter's departure. The incident was quickly picked up in the Albanian press and the Greek authorities were accused of violating freedom of the press. When Mema wanted to return to Greece in August 2012, he was refused entry, even though citizens of Albania have been able to enter the European Union without a visa since 2010 . The reason given by the customs authorities was that they saw national security under threat. The broadcaster Top Channel announced that it would stand by its journalists and ask the Albanian and Greek governments for clarification. He will also report the incident to the European Commission for Human Rights .
Attractions
Margariti Castle
The castle of Margariti ( Kastro ) is located south of the village in a strategically dominant position on a stony hill. It dates back to the 14th century when the Albanians established themselves in Epirus; it became one of the most important military bases of the Ottomans in Epirus. After the naval battle of Lepanto (Nafpaktos) in 1571, the Venetians tried twice to capture the festival.
The south side is ten meters high and has been preserved. The northern side has been demolished. There are only ruins from the northwest side, where the arched gate was also. Of the two round towers of the castle, the southern tower has been completely preserved. Inside the castle there were vaulted cellars, storage rooms, two water cisterns and drainage channels.
Until 1911 the fortress served as the seat of the military administration and as a prison.
Kalodiki swamp
The Kalodiki swamp is known as a station for migratory birds and a breeding ground for water birds, as well as for its water lilies.
Old mosque
In the old village center there has been a mosque with a minaret for centuries, but it has fallen into disrepair and only the ruins can be visited. Some Christian Orthodox churches have sprung up in the vicinity.
economy
Agriculture is the characteristic economic factor, plus trade, small industry and increasingly tourism. Trade and commerce are concentrated in the “agora” on both sides of the main street.
Personalities
- Miralay Hamdi Bey (1861–1927), Ottoman officer and Turkish politician
- Jakup Veseli (19th and 20th centuries), Albanian politician and founding father of Albania
Individual evidence
- ↑ Results of the 2011 census at the National Statistical Service of Greece (ΕΛ.ΣΤΑΤ) (Excel document, 2.6 MB)
- ↑ Law 2539/1997 «Συγκρότηση της Πρωτοβάθμιας Τοπικής Αυτοδιοίκησης." ΦΕΚ 244 A / December 4, 1997, Άρθρο 1. Σύσταση δήμων και κοινοτήτων. P. 8805. PDF Online (Greek)
- ↑ Law 3852/2010 «Νέα Αρχιτεκτονική της Αυτοδιοίκησης και της Αποκεντρωμένης Διοίκησης - Πρόγραμμα Καλλς. ΦΕΚ 87 A / 7.6.2010, Άρθρο 1. Σύσταση δήμων. P. 1793. PDF Online (Greek)
- ↑ Rudolf Scheer: Margarition . In: Siegfried Lauffer (Ed.): Greece. Lexicon of Historic Places . Augsburg 1999.
- ^ New Force Vows to Break Mold in Albania. In: balkaninsight. January 12, 2012, accessed April 1, 2013 .
- ↑ Çamëria, why are the Greeks afraid? In: Top Channel . February 21, 2011, accessed August 20, 2012 (Albanian).
- ^ Journalist from TCH is stopped at the Greek border. In: Top Channel . August 19, 2012, Retrieved August 20, 2012 (Albanian).
- ↑ Private website