Nea Smyrni

Nea Smyrni (Greek: Νέα Σμύρνη, Néa Smýrni, "New Smyrna") is a municipality and a southern suburb of Athens, Greece. At the 2011 census, it had 73,076 inhabitants.[1] It was named after the former Greek city Smyrna (today's İzmir in Turkey), from where many refugees arrived and settled in the Nea Smyrni area following the 1922 catastrophe of Asia Minor and the Great fire of Smyrna, as a result of the Greco-Turkish war.

Nea Smyrni

Νέα Σμύρνη
The Nea Smyrni Estia Hall
Flag
Seal
Nea Smyrni
Location within the region
Coordinates: 37°57′N 23°43′E
CountryGreece
Administrative regionAttica
Regional unitSouth Athens
Government
 • MayorStavros Tzoulakis (Ind.)
Area
 • Municipality3.524 km2 (1.361 sq mi)
Elevation
50 m (160 ft)
Population
 (2011)[1]
 • Municipality
73,076
 • Municipality density21,000/km2 (54,000/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)
Postal code
171 xx
Area code(s)210
Vehicle registrationZ
Websitehttp://www.neasmyrni.gr/
The Iosifogleion building, used as a child shelter since the 1930s, at Nea Smyrni

History

Although there are few details about the ancient history of the area, in 2012, during works, ancient graves were unearthed on the side of Agias Sofias Street. The specific manner of burial is known as 'burial by the roadside'. These ancient findings have already been unveiled by public authorities and are able to be visited.

Nea Smyrni began to be inhabited at the beginning of the twentieth century. Up until that point, it had not been inhabited in a systematic manner. At the time, it was intersected by an avenue which connected Athens and Phalerum, the ancient port of the city.

After the Asia Minor Disaster, the government decided to construct a settlement in the area for the refugees from Smyrna. Construction of this settlement began in 1926. In 1928, the population was just 210. By 1933, the area had become a true town with a population of 6,500. By 1940, there were 15,000 inhabitants. In 1944, with the end of the war, Nea Smyrni became a municipality.

Nea Smyrni was the site of multiple clashes between British Army forces and ELAS resistance forces during the so-called Dekemvriana of 1944.

After the civil war, Nea Smyrni was incorporated into Athens.

Geography

Nea Smyrni is located about 4 km (2 mi) southwest of central Athens. The municipality has an area of 3.524 km2.[2] Its built-up area is continuous with those of central Athens and the neighbouring suburbs. It is the second-most densely populated municipality in Greece, following Kallithea. The main thoroughfare is Andrea Syngrou Avenue, which forms the northwestern border of the municipality and connects it with central Athens and the coast.

Alsos Neas Smyrnis

Alsos Neas Smyrnis (Alsos meaning 'grove' or 'small wood') has an area of fifty acres and is bounded by Eleftheriou Venizelou, Ephesou, Kordeliou and Patriarchou Ioakeim III Avenues. The Alsos consists mainly (20%) of woodland trees (Aleppo pine, stone pine, cypress etc.) and ornamental trees (20%). In addition, most of this green space is covered in shrubs (cranberry, velvetleaf, myoporum and pyracantha). Today, conifers make up about 60% of the plant capacity. The plant material of the Alsos consists mainly of monoculture and introduced plants planted in very high density. Two fountains complete the architectural makeup of the area. The whole park is surrounded by iron railings.[3]

Sporting teams

The sport clubs based in Nea Smyrni are Panionios G.S.S., multisport club founded in Smyrna, in 1890 and AONS Milon, multisport club founded in 1928.

Sport clubs based in Nea Smyrni
Club Founded Sports Achievements
Panionios1890Football, Basketball, Water Polo, Track and Field and other sportsPanhellenic titles in football, basketball, basketball women and other honours.
AONS Milon1928Basketball, Volleyball and other sportsPanhellenic titles in volleyball, earlier presence in A1 Ethniki basketball

Sites of interest
  • Nea Smyrni Stadium, built in 1939, renovated in 1988. Panionios FC plays in the stadium.
  • Nea Smyrni Indoor Hall, holds up to 1,832 persons.
  • Nea Smyrni Square (Greek: Πλατεία Νέας Σμύρνης Platía Néas Smýrnis).
  • Nea Smyrni Park, a 5-hectare centrally located park with about 40% trees.[4]
  • Estia Nea Smyrni, a cultural association.

Neighbourhoods
  • Faros
  • Agia Fotini
  • Alsos
  • Kendro (Center)
  • Chrisaki
  • Agia Paraskevi
  • Mitilineika
  • Loutra
  • Ano Nea Smyrni (Upper Nea Smyrni)

Churches
Agia Foteini church, Nea Smyrni
  • Agia Fotini
  • Agia Paraskevi
  • Agioi Anargiroi
  • Agios Charalambos
  • Agios Andreas
  • Agioi Theodoroi (Greek Old Calendarists)
  • Taxiarches (cemetery church)

Nea Smyrni is the seat of a similarly-titled metropolitan diocese. The current Metropolitan bishop of Nea Smyrni is Simeon Koutsas.

Notable people

Twin towns – sister cities

Sisian, Armenia (since 2004)

Historical population
YearPopulation
1928210
19336,500
194015,114
195122,074
196132,865
197142,512
198167,408
199169,749
200173,986
201173,076
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See also
  • List of municipalities of Attica

References
  1. "Απογραφή Πληθυσμού - Κατοικιών 2011. ΜΟΝΙΜΟΣ Πληθυσμός" (in Greek). Hellenic Statistical Authority.
  2. "Population & housing census 2001 (incl. area and average elevation)" (PDF) (in Greek). National Statistical Service of Greece.
  3. http://www.attiko-prasino.gr/
  4. "ΑΤΤΙΚΟ ΠΡΑΣΙΝΟ > Χώροι Πρασίνου > Νέα Σμύρνη > Άλσος Νέας Σμύρνης > Γενική Παρουσίαση". attiko-prasino.gr.
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