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Kamatero, (Greek, official: Καματερόν (Katharevousa); common: Καματερó (Demotic), (officially Kamateron), is a suburb northwest of Athens, Greece. It is located about 10 kilometres northwest of Athens and north of Piraeus. History Before 1827 Although there are no known archaeological finds in Kamatero, the area around it is known to have been inhabited since the Bronze Age, as a Mycenaean tomb has been found in the neighbouring municipality of Acharnai. In classical times, the area of modern Kamatero was under the authority of the polis of Athens. Kamatero is one of two alternative locations suggested for the location of the ancient Athenian deme of Cholargos (the other being Peristeri to the south). If ancient Cholargos was indeed in Kamatero, this would make the ancient statesman, orator and general Pericles one of the earliest and greatest natives of the area. There are no medieval references to Kamatero as separate from the rest of the Athens area, and it can be assumed that the area followed the fate of the rest of Athens. It should be noted, however, that the prominent Byzantine Epiphanios Kamateros has been suggested as the origin of the settlement's name. While there is still a Kamateros family in Kamatero today, there is no evidence to suggest their connection to Epiphanios Kamateros. Furthermore, kamatero (Greek for "hard-working") was a word commonly used to refer to oxen. Thus, the name Kamatero could simply be a reference to the agricultural economy which was then prevalent in the settlement.
After 1827 The first known reference to the settlement, using the name Kamatero, is from the Memoirs of General Makrygiannis, written in the 19th century. The settlement is mentioned in connection to the Battle of Kamatero, during the Greek War of Independence. The battle ended in a Turkish victory, largely due to a poor choice of terain by one of the Greek commanders, Vasos Mavrovouniotis. It was also the first and only engagement in the war of Colonel Denis Bourbaki, who was beheaded by the Turks after the engagement. The outcome of the battle had considerable impact on the course of the siege of the Acropolis then ongoing by the Turks. By the early 20th century the population of the settlement was largely made up of Arvaniots, Albanian-speaking populations with a Greek ethnic identification. Arvaniot presence used to be predominant in Ottoman-age Athens, and it is possible that the first modern settlement was founded by them, especially since the neighbouring towns of Ano Liossia and Nea Liossia (Ilion) were named after an Arvaniot landholder. Up to the mid-20th century, the area was made up of farmlands and some forests dominated its northern part. After that point, urban development replaced much of the farmlands. Today, about two-thirds of the land are residential areas. Empty space today can be found in the western part, on the Poikilo range, which consists of rocks and pines. The last patches of forests can also be found here, as well as in the southeastern part of the municipality, in the Pyrgos Vassilissis (Queen's Tower) park area. Government and Politics Demographics The area is mainly made up of urban areas to the west and east (residential areas account for about two-thirds of the municipality). Kamatero is divided in five districts: the Centre, Attalos, Aghios Trifonas, Gerovouno and Kato Tatoi. Except for the centre, all the other districts have strict construction regulations and most houses are up to two floors. The Pyrgos Vassilissis park, one of the largest in Greece, lies to the southeast, on the border with Ilio and Agioi Anargyroi municipalities. Historical population
Kamatero is largely a residential area, but the populace has a distinct working and lower-middle class character. The residential development is considerable, but this is not met by a matching development of local enterprise. Economy Aside from small family businesses, Kamatero houses four banks, a sports centre, a post office and a few small factories. One of these was destroyed in a major fire on 10 October, 2003. However, there is a considerable growth of small-scale businesses, such as stores and restaurants, mostly focused around the town squares (plateies) Education Kamatero has 8 elementary schools, 3 lower-level secondary schools, and 2 upper-level secondary schools (high schools), as well as a technical school. Most high school graduates enroll in the universities and technical colleges of Athens or other Greek cities.
Kamatero, Satellite image Links
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