Megalopoli

Megalopoli municipality Δήμος Μεγαλόπολης
Basic data
State :	Greece
Region :	Peloponnese
Regional District :	Arcadia
Geographic coordinates :	37 ° 24 '  N , 22 ° 8'  E Coordinates: 37 ° 24 '  N , 22 ° 8'  E
Area :	727.33 km²
Residents :	10,687 (2011)
Population density :	14.7 inhabitants / km²
Community logo:
Seat:	Megalopoli
LAU-1 code no .:
Districts :	3 municipal districts
Local self-government :	1 city district 60 local communities
Location in the Peloponnese region

Megalopoli ( pronunciation : [ mɛɣaˈlɔpɔli ], Greek Μεγαλόπολη , older Megalopolis ) is a municipality in south-west Arcadia in Greece with about 10,700 inhabitants. The name is made up of the Greek megali μεγάλη 'large' and polis πόλις 'city'. The administrative seat is the city of the same name, in which 5,779 inhabitants live. In 2011, the neighboring communities of Falesia and Gortyna were incorporated. The remaining inhabitants are spread over a total of 60 local communities, none of which have more than 400 inhabitants. Examples are Perivolia and Vrysoules .

geography

The community lies in the valley of the upper Alfios and its source rivers Elisonas and Xenilos . The waters of the Alfios and its numerous tributaries from the surrounding mountains have created a breakthrough through the mountains at the northwest corner of the plain. They have always irrigated and drained the partly forested, partly cultivated fertile and also in the dry, hot summer time long green plain.

economy

In 1969 and 1990, two caloric power plants were put into operation, which are fired with sulphurous lignite mined in the plain. The opencast mining areas, which are easily recognizable on satellite images ( LANDSAT ), destroyed around a third of the plain by 2003. The power plants dominate the plain and the city in two ways: In the city, the plain and the surrounding area, many people's jobs are tied to the power stations. The emissions from lignite power generation are extreme. They are spread over the whole level and beyond.

history

The ancient megalopolis was founded in 371 BC. Founded by the Theban general Epaminondas with the aim of creating a political counterweight to Sparta . It was created on the banks of the Elisson by amalgamating 40 places to form the megále pólis . As a new Arcadian center, it became the seat of 370 BC. Chr., Founded Arcadian Federal . In the summer of 317 BC The city fended off a siege by Diadochi Polyperchon (→ Siege of Megalopolis ).

It was around 201 BC. The birthplace of the important Greek historian Polýbios .

One of the important ancient remains of the city north of the Elisson is the theater , which is still clearly recognizable in its dimensions and floor plan , which is said to have had 20,000 seats and was thus the largest known theater, as well as the one from the 4th century BC. BC native north. Stoa of Agora . This was approx. 155 m long, today you can see the only complete monumental Ionic column from the 4th century BC there. In Greece. The theater is also said to have been the political meeting place of the Arcadian League. The excavations are still ongoing today and attempts are being made to restore the stoa to its original state.

Pausanias , whose books Description of Greece have been preserved, proves about the megalopolis around 180 AD that it "has lost its old prosperity and is largely in ruins in our time ..."

In the early modern period, megalopolis fell into disuse under Ottoman rule .

traffic

Megalopoli is an important traffic junction from northeast to west and south due to several road connections. A four-lane motorway ( A 7 ) through the plain from north-east to south-west opens up the south-west ( Kyparissia , Pylos ) and the south ( Kalamata ) for the north-east ( Tripoli , Corinth ) and Athens .

A meter- gauge narrow - gauge railway from Corinth via Tripoli and Megalopoli to Kalamata has existed since around 1890. Since 2002, the single-track route has been overhauled. Since the winding route, following the mountainous topology, was retained, the railway did not gain any significant importance for the economic infrastructure of the Peloponnese even after it was reopened (the Corinth – Tripoli route has been in operation again since 2009; the rehabilitation of the route continues after Kalamata was completed at the end of 2009, but has not yet reopened, as of November 2009).

The landscaped and ecologically intact areas, the northeast part of the plain, the Alfios Gorge near the northern town of Karitena and especially the Lousios Gorge northwest of the plain are important recreational areas for the residents of the cities of Megalopoli and Leontari in the plain. They are also interesting for tourism.

• 

  Megalopoli Plain. Intact northeast part. Behind open-cast lignite mine

• 

  Megalopoli plain, Landsat7, GeoCover 2000. View from a height of 20 km

• 

  Megalopoli. Opencast lignite mining (behind town and around power plants)

structure

The population figures come from the results of the 2011 census.

Location of Falesias in the municipality

• Falesia parish - Δημοτική Ενότητα Φαλαισίας - 2.077
  • Local community Akovos - Τοπική Κοινότητα Ακόβου - 202
    • Akovos - Άκοβος - 182
    • Goupata - Γούπατα - 20
  • Local community Anavryto - Τοπική Κοινότητα Αναβρυτού - 83
    • Anavryto - Αναβρυτό - 52
    • Kato Anavryto - Κάτω Αναβρυτό - 31
  • Local community Anemodouri - Τοπική Κοινότητα Ανεμοδουρίου - Ανεμοδούρι - 68
  • Local community Dyrrachio - Τοπική Κοινότητα Δυρραχίου - Δυρράχιο - 114
  • Local community Ellinitsa - Τοπική Κοινότητα Ελληνίτσης - Ελληνίτσα - 50
  • Local community Falesia - Τοπική Κοινότητα Φαλαισίας - 63
    • Falesia - Φαλαισία - 46
    • Boura Monastery - Μονή Μπούρα - 17th
  • Local community Giannei - Τοπική Κοινότητα Γιανναίων - 82
    • Ano Giannei - Άνω Γιανναίοι - 35
    • Kato Giannei - Κάτω Γιανναίοι - 47
  • Local community Grekos - Τοπική Κοινότητα Γραικού - Γραικός - 23
  • Local community Kamara - Τοπική Κοινότητα Καμάρας - 210
    • Kamara - Καμάρα - 163
    • Kambochori - Καμποχώρι - 47
  • Local community Leondari - Τοπική Κοινότητα Λεονταρίου - 321
    • Gavria - Γαβριά - 9
    • Kalyvia - Καλύβια - 11
    • Kamaritsa - Καμαρίτσα - 22
    • Kotsiridi - Κοτσιρίδι - 22
    • Leondari - Λεοντάρι - 257
  • Local community Leptini - Τοπική Κοινότητα Λεπτινίου - Λεπτίνι - 43
  • Local community Neochori Falesias - Τοπική Κοινότητα Νεοχωρίου Φαλαισίας - Νεοχώρι - 59
  • Local community Petrina - Τοπική Κοινότητα Πετρίνας - 69
    • Ambelaki Monastery - Μονή Αμπελάκη - 4
    • Petrina - Πετρίνα - 44
    • Spaneika - Σπαναίικα - 21
  • Local community Potamia - Τοπική Κοινότητα Ποταμιάς - Ποταμιά - 118
  • Local community Routsio - Τοπική Κοινότητα Ρουτσίου - Ρούτσιο - 52
  • Local community Skortsinos - Τοπική Κοινότητα Σκορτσινού - Σκορτσινός - 139
  • Local community Soulario - Τοπική Κοινότητα Σουλαρίου - Σουλάριο - 83
  • Local community of Turkolekas - Τοπική Κοινότητα Τουρκολέκα - Τουρκολέκας - 190
  • Local community Veligosti - Τοπική Κοινότητα Βελιγοστής - Βελιγοστή - 61
  • Local community Voutsaras - Τοπική Κοινότητα Βουτσαρά - Βουτσαράς - 47

Location Gortynas in the municipality

• Gortyna municipality - Δημοτική Ενότητα Γόρτυνος - 720
  • Local community Atsicholos - Τοπική Κοινότητα Ατσιχόλου - Ατσίχολος - 45
  • Local community Karitena - Τοπική Κοινότητα Καριταίνης - 274
    • Kalyvakia - Καλυβάκια - 19
    • Karvounaris - Καρβουνάρης - 23
    • Karitena - Καρίταινα - 232
  • Local community Katsimbalis - Τοπική Κοινότητα Κατσίμπαλη - Κατσίμπαλης - 32
  • Local community Kourounios - Τοπική Κοινότητα Κουρουνιού - Κουρουνιός - 33
  • Local community Kotili - Τοπική Κοινότητα Κωτιλίου - 82
    • Kotilio - Κωτίλιο - 64
    • Palatos - Παλάτος - 10
    • Strongylo - Στρογγυλό - 8
  • Local community Kyparissia - Τοπική Κοινότητα Κυπαρισσίων - Κυπαρίσσια - 58
  • Local community Mavria - Τοπική Κοινότητα Μαυριών - Μαυριά - 31
  • Local community Sarakini - Τοπική Κοινότητα Σαρακινίου 51
  • Kryonero - Κρυόνερον - 20th
    • Paleokastro - Παλαιόκαστρον - 23
    • Sarakini - Σαρακίνι - 8
  • Local community Vlachorraftis (Maratha) - Τοπική Κοινότητα Μάραθα - Βλαχορράφτης - 40
  • Local community Zoni - Τοπική Κοινότητα Ζώνης - Ζώνη - 74

Location megalopolis in the municipality

• Megalopoli municipal district - Δημοτική Ενότητα Μεγαλόπολης - 7,890
  • Megalopoli District - Δημοτική Κοινότητα Μεγαλοπόλεως - 5,779
    • Megalopoli - Μεγαλόπολη - 5,748
    • Orestio - Ορέστειο - 31
  • Local community Anthochori - Τοπική Κοινότητα Ανθοχωρίου - Ανθοχώρι - 41
  • Local community Ano Karyes - Τοπική Κοινότητα Άνω Καρυών - Άνω Καρυές - 35
  • Local community Chirades - Τοπική Κοινότητα Χιράδων - Χιράδες - 80
  • Local community Chrani - Τοπική Κοινότητα Χράνων - Χράνοι - 137
  • Local community Choremis - Τοπική Κοινότητα Χωρέμη - 54
    • Apisitsa - Απιδίτσα - 32
    • Choremis - Χωρέμης - 22
  • Local community Gefyra - Τοπική Κοινότητα Γεφύρας - Γέφυρα - 30
  • Local community Isaris - Τοπική Κοινότητα Ίσαρη - 140
    • Isaris - Ίσαρης - 86
    • Petrovouni - Πετροβούνι - 10
    • Chrousa - Χρούσα - 44
  • Local community Isoma Karyon - Τοπική Κοινότητα Ισώματος Καρυών - Ίσωμα Καρυών - 14
  • Local community Karatoulas - Τοπική Κοινότητα Καράτουλα Μεγαπόλεως - Καράτουλας - 28
  • Local community Kastanochori - Τοπική Κοινότητα Καστανοχωρίου - Καστανοχώριον - 94
  • Local community Kato Karyes - Τοπική Κοινότητα Κάτω Καρυών - Κάτω Καρυές - 61
  • Local community Lykeo - Τοπική Κοινότητα Λυκαίου - Λύκαιο - 47
  • Local community Lykosoura - Τοπική Κοινότητα Λυκοσούρας - 62
    • Lykosoura - Λυκόσουρα - 37
    • Marmara - Μάρμαρα - 25
  • Local community Lykochia - Τοπική Κοινότητα Λυκοχίων - Λυκόχια - 121
  • Local community Makrysi - Τοπική Κοινότητα Μακρυσίου - 265
    • Kato Makrysi - Κάτω Μακρύσι - 221
    • Makrysi - Μακρύσι - 44
  • Local community Mallota - Τοπική Κοινότητα Μαλλωτών - Μαλλωτά - 46
  • Local community Marathoussa - Τοπική Κοινότητα Μαραθούσσης - Μαραθούσσα - 32
  • Local community Nea Ekklisoula - Τοπική Κοινότητα Νέας Εκκλησούλας - Νέα Εκκλησούλα - 39
  • Local community Neochori - Τοπική Κοινότητα Νεοχωρίου Λυκοσούρας - Νεοχώρι - 49
  • Local community Paradisia - Τοπική Κοινότητα Παραδεισίων - 175
    • Paradisia - Παραδείσια - 153
    • Fanaiti - Φαναΐτη - 22
  • Local community Perivolia - Τοπική Κοινότητα Περιβολίων - 79
    • Vrysoules - Βρυσούλες - 25
    • Perivoila - Περιβόλια - 54
  • Local community Plaka - Τοπική Κοινότητα Πλάκας - Πλάκα - 54
  • Local community Rapsommatis - Τοπική Κοινότητα Ραψομμάτη - Ραψομμάτης - 55
  • Local community Souli - Τοπική Κοινότητα Σουλίου - 73
    • Derveni - Δερβένι - 31
    • Souli - Σούλι - 42
  • Local community Soulos - Τοπική Κοινότητα Σούλου - Σούλος - 13
  • Local community Thoknia - Τοπική Κοινότητα Θωκνίας - Θωκνία - 36
  • Local community Trilofo - Τοπική Κοινότητα Τριλόφου - 53
    • Paleomiri - Παλαιομοίρι - 18
    • Trilofo - Τρίλοφο - 35
  • Local community Tripotamo - Τοπική Κοινότητα Τριποτάμου - Τριπόταμο - 89
  • Local community Vangos - Τοπική Κοινότητα Βάγγου - Βάγγος - 47
  • Local community Vastas - Τοπική Κοινότητα Βάστα - Βάστας - 62

See also

• List of the Roman Catholic titular dioceses
• Megalopolis

literature

• Christopher Mee, Antony Spawforth: Greece. To Oxford Archaeological Guide . Oxford University Press, Oxford 2001, pp. 265-268 .
• William Frank Wyatt:  Megalopolis, Arkadia, Greece . In: Richard Stillwell et al. a. (Ed.): The Princeton Encyclopedia of Classical Sites. Princeton University Press, Princeton NJ 1976, ISBN 0-691-03542-3 .

Web links

• three pictures of the theater of Megalopolis, Perseus project

Individual evidence

1. ↑ ^{a b} Results of the 2011 census at the National Statistical Service of Greece (ΕΛ.ΣΤΑΤ) ( Memento from June 27, 2015 in the Internet Archive ) (Excel document, 2.6 MB)
2. ↑ 8, 33, 1 ( English translation ( Memento of the original from January 29, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link has been inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. )