Grevena

Grevena (Greek: Γρεβενά, Grevená, [ɣreveˈna], Aromanian: Grebini) is a town and municipality in Western Macedonia, Northern Greece, capital of the Grevena regional unit. The town's current population is 13,374 citizens (2011). It lies about 400 kilometres (249 miles) from Athens and about 180 km (112 miles) from Thessaloniki. The municipality's population is 25,905. Grevena has had access to the Egnatia Odos since the early 2000s, which now connects Igoumenitsa with Thessaloniki and Alexandroupoli at the border with Turkey. Mountains surround the municipality, which is situated by the river Greveniotikos, which itself flows into the Aliakmon. Other significant towns in the municipality are Amygdaliés and Méga Seiríni. Grevena Municipal Museum is located in the town.

Grevena

Γρεβενά
Clock tower of Grevena
Grevena
Location within the region
Coordinates: 40°05′06″N 21°25′39″E
CountryGreece
Administrative regionWest Macedonia
Regional unitGrevena
Government
 • MayorGeorgios Dastamanis
Area
 • Municipality1,859.9 km2 (718.1 sq mi)
 • Municipal unit461.4 km2 (178.1 sq mi)
Elevation
530 m (1,740 ft)
Population
 (2011)[1]
 • Municipality
25,905
 • Municipality density14/km2 (36/sq mi)
 • Municipal unit
17,610
 • Municipal unit density38/km2 (99/sq mi)
Community
 • Population13,374 (2011)
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)
Postal code
511 00
Area code(s)24620
Vehicle registrationΡΝ
Websitewww.dimosgrevenon.gr

History

Ottoman period
Photo of Grevena (1900) by Manakis brothers

Under Ottoman rule, Grevena (Ottoman name Gerebena) was the seat of the kaza of Grevena, Sanjak of Serfice, Manastir Vilayet.[2] According to the statistics of Vasil Kanchov ("Macedonia, Ethnography and Statistics"), 600 Greek Christians, 500 Turks, 200 Vallahades (Greek-speaking Muslims), 150 Aromanians and 100 Romani lived in the town in 1900.[3]

1995 earthquake

The earthquake that occurred in the region on 13 May 1995 was 6.6 on the Richter magnitude scale, but it caused only material damage. The worst hit area was the county of Ventzia. There were two foreshocks of lesser intensity that preceded the main earthquake by a few minutes and warned people. These warnings sent the population out of their houses. When the main earthquake came, it destroyed nearly all the houses in several villages of the Ventzia County – the houses collapsed to the ground – but all the inhabitants were outside.

Another earthquake on 5 January 2005 measured 4.9 near Grevena. It took place at 20:00 local time (EET), and no damage was reported. Another earthquake with a measured intensity of 5.4 occurred on 17 July 2007 at 21:23 local time (EET) and was followed by weak aftershocks. Some older buildings were lightly damaged in villages northeast of Grevena.

Administrative division

Municipality
Grevena municipality
Grevena municipal unit
View of Emilianou Square

The municipality Grevena was formed at the 2011 local government reform by the merger of the following 13 former municipalities, that became municipal units:[4]

Municipal unit

The municipal unit of Grevena is divided into the following communities:

Community

The community of Grevena consists of three separate settlements:[1]

The aforementioned population figures are as of 2011.[1]

Economy

In the area, there is large production of mushrooms, collected in the Valia Calda area.

Historical population
YearTownMunicipal unitMunicipality
19817,739——
19919,34514,986—
200110,17715,481—
201113,37417,61025,905

Population statistics, 1981-2011.

People

References
  1. "Απογραφή Πληθυσμού - Κατοικιών 2011. ΜΟΝΙΜΟΣ Πληθυσμός" (in Greek). Hellenic Statistical Authority.
  2. Michael Ursinus, Grievance Administration (Sikayet) in an Ottoman Province, ISBN 0415358876, p. 173
  3. Kanchov, Vasil, Macedonia, Ethnography and Statistics, Sofia, 1900, book 2, p. 46. Written as "Гребена (Гревена)". (in Bulgarian)
  4. Kallikratis law Greece Ministry of Interior (in Greek)
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