Polygyros

Polygyros is the capital of the Prefecture of Chalkidiki (province of northern Greece), with a population of 6.232 . Polygyros is the largest community in Chalkidiki.. Polygyros is part of the synonymous municipality with a population 10.721 (2001). Polygyros is south of GR-16 (Thessaloniki - Arnaia) SE of Thessaloniki, NE of Nea Moudania, NW of Sithonia and S of Arnaia. The town is c. 70 km frm Thessaloniki. The town is built in the shape of an ampitheatre on a plateau on the south west side of the mountain Holomontas. Polygyros is famous for its carnival celebrations, which attracts visitors from around Greece. A nearby location called "Panagia" ("Virgin Mary") is the setting of a famous religious celebration on August 15th.

About the name there are different theories. 1) It is derived from poly ieros "very holly", or poly geros due to the good climate or from Polyaros (a landowner in the past of the region).

History

Polygyros is in a region near ancient Apollonia part of 32 cities of the Chalkidean community "koino Chalkideon", conquered 379 BC by the Spartans and 348 BC by Philip II part of Macedonia until 168 BC the Romans followed.

Polygyros is mentioned in a document of Nikephoros III Botaniates for Mount Athos in the year 1080. In 1430 Polygyros is part of the Ottoman Empire. For a short time Polygyros was liberated in 17 May 1821. In 1854 another revolution followed by Tsamis Karatasos to liberate the region. Finally since 2 November 1912 Polygyros is again a part of Greece.

Other

Polygyros has schools, lyceums, a gymnasium, banks, a post office, and squares (plateies).

Historical population

• Polygyros / Δ.δ. Πολυγύρου [ 6232 ]
  
  • Polygyros / ο Πολύγυρος [ 5040 ]
    
  • Kalyves Polygyrou / οι Καλύβες Πολυγύρου [ 1136 ]
    
  • Patelidas / ο Πατελιδάς [ 56 ]
    
• Agios Prodromos / Δ.δ. Αγίου Προδρόμου -- ο Άγιος Πρόδρομος [ 452 ]
  
• Vrastama / Δ.δ. Βραστάμων [ 1148 ]
  
  • Vrastama / τα Βράσταμα [ 793 ]
    
  • Kellion / το Κελλίον [ 110 ]
    
  • Plana / η Πλανά [ 245 ]
    
• Olynthos / Δ.δ. Ολύνθου -- η Όλυνθος [ 1131 ]
  
• Palaiokastron / Δ.δ. Παλαιοκάστρου [ 351 ]
  
  • Diastavrosi Palaiokastrou / η Διασταύρωση Παλαιοκάστρου [ 327 ]
    
  • Palaiokastron / το Παλαιόκαστρον [ 24 ]
    
• Sana / Δ.δ. Σανών -- τα Σανά [ 337 ]
  
• Taxiarchis / Δ.δ. Ταξιάρχου -- ο Ταξιάρχης [ 1070 ]
  

Kalyves Poylgyrou

Kalyves Poylgyrou is a sea-side village

Olynthos

Olynthos is a village 24 km from Polygyros, named after ancient Olynthus.

Agios Prodroms

Agios Prodromos is a village 14 km from Polygyros.

Vrastama

Vrastama is a village c. 11 km from Polygyros

Links

See also

See: Mount Athos