Alimos
Encyclopedia
Alimos is an affluent suburb in the south-southwestern part of Athens
, Greece
, also known as Kalamaki (Καλαμάκι). Poseidonos Avenue runs in the western part of Alimos, with the Hymettus
mountain to the east meeting mainly grassland, while areas to the north of Argyroupoli are forested. The nearest subway
station is at Alexandros Panagoulis station and is also accessed by a tramway opened in 2004, serving as access with the Attiki Odos
(number 63) to the east. Vouliagmeni is to the west, and the area lies South of Athens, Southeast of Piraeus
, Northwest of Sounio, and almost directly north of the old Ellinikon International Airport
, which served two entry points and several Olympic venues, including a basketball arena. The Saronic Gulf
is located to its west.
Early in the 20th century the area consisted of farmland, primarily pastures and groves. In the 1940s and again in the 1970s, urban development and businesses replaced much of the farmland, so that today, much of the area is urbanized. Business is concentrated in the south and along main avenues. A large marina
is situated to the west serving tens of piers with up to 1,100 boats. Depth ranges from 2 to 7 metres.
Alimos is also known for its beaches, luxurious restaurants and beach clubs. The most expensive places in Alimos are Lofos Pani, Ampelakia and the beach.
s are located in Alimos. Each one has approximately 2 classrooms in order to create small school communities. There are also 8 public and 2 private elementary schools, 6 public and 1 private junior-high schools, 4 public and 1 private high schools. All of them have a great popularity among schools in Greece. There is also an Educational Lyceum (EPAL) which provides high technical education to its students. Two specialized junior high schools located in Alimos, a musical school and a sports school, are highly regarded.
. The municipality of Alimos provides a wide range of cultural associations and the multipurpose Cultural Centre of Alimos. Furthermore, there is a public library and 3 summer theaters.
Ano Kalamaki: It is located in eastern Alimos, with no access to the sea, it is quite populous with big squares (Trahones square) and a big organised park (Trahones Park). Life there is cheaper, so most of the residents have a middle income (approximately 30.000-70.000 euros per year).
Neighbourhoods: Trahones, Ekteloniston, Old Alimos.
Kato Kalamaki: It is located in western Alimos, near the sea. The Alimos' City Hall is located there. It is one of the most expensive areas in Greece
, with lots of brand-name shops, beach clubs and beaches, lots of parks and squares and the huge Alimos playground near the Alimos plage Ilios (en. Sun). Most of residents there (especially the ones of Ampelakia and Lofos Pani) have a high income 50000-1.000.000 euros per year). Villas, luxurious apartments and lofts are located there.
Neighbourhoods: Ampelakia, Lofos Kithirion, Lofos Pani, the Beach and Dikigorika.
In classical antiquity, Alimos was a fishing town on the outskirts of the city-state
of Athens
and constituted one of the deme
s of Attica
. Testament to its development during this period are the ruins of a small amphitheater, quite unusual in the ancient world in its rectangular design. The site can be found on Ancient Theater street in Ano Kalamaki (just a few blocks away from the Neolithic site). It is noteworthy that, while the town is more closely associated with its ties to the sea, as "alimos" in ancient Greek means "belonging to the sea", the main archeological sites are situated at the farthest point of the municipality from the shoreline.
The most significant historical affiliation of Alimos is that with Thucydides
. Thucydides was born in Alimos, and is often referred to as "Thucydides the Halimousian" (Greek :Θουκυδίδης ο Αλιμούσιος). The bust of Thucidydes is the emblem of Alimos, which is commonly used between schools in the area. Furthermore, the First High School of Alimos (Greek :Πρώτο ΓΕ.Λ. Αλίμου) is called Thucydidio (Greek :Θουκυδίδιο), after him.
On January 1, Mr Thanos Orfanos became the new mayor of Alimos.
1st Round
1. Thanos Orfanos (Alimos, here we live) with 46,12%, 7.412 votes and 8 seats.
2. Nikos Tsamparlis (Alimos, all together) with 29,41% 4.727 votes and 5 seats.
3. Christos Douridas (Folk alliance for Alimos) with 13,18% 2.118 votes and 2 seats.
4. Dimitris Claudianus (Upside-Down in Kalamaki-Municipal movement of Alimos) with 11,29% 1.814 votes and 2 seats
2nd round
1. Thanos Orfanos (Alimos, here we live) with 60,89%, 6.990 votes and another 12 seats.
2. Nikos Tsamparlis (Alimos, all together) with 39,11%, 4.489 votes and another 4 seats.
Total Seats:
1. Alimos here we live→ 20 seats
2. Alimos, all together→ 12 seats
3. Folk alliance for Alimos→ 2 seats
4. Upside-Down in Kalamaki-Municipal movement of Alimos→ 2 seats
The current mayor won the elections with increased rates since the last elections (+8,76%) and (+4 seats).
with: Niš
, Serbia
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
, Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
, also known as Kalamaki (Καλαμάκι). Poseidonos Avenue runs in the western part of Alimos, with the Hymettus
Hymettus
Hymettus, also Hymettos is a mountain range in the Athens area, East Central Greece. It is also colloquially known as Trellos or Trellovouno , a name of uncertain origin...
mountain to the east meeting mainly grassland, while areas to the north of Argyroupoli are forested. The nearest subway
Athens Metro
The Athens Metro is an underground rapid transit system serving Athens, the capital city of Greece. It was constructed and owned by Attiko Metro S.A. and operated until 2011 by Attiko Metro Etaireia Leitourgias S.A....
station is at Alexandros Panagoulis station and is also accessed by a tramway opened in 2004, serving as access with the Attiki Odos
Attiki Odos
Attiki Odos is a privately owned toll motorway in Greece. The Proastiakos high-speed suburban rail is set almost entirely in the median of the motorway, along its main section. The motorway's numbers are 6 for the main section, 64 for the Hymettus Beltway and 65 for the Aigaleo Beltway...
(number 63) to the east. Vouliagmeni is to the west, and the area lies South of Athens, Southeast of Piraeus
Piraeus
Piraeus is a city in the region of Attica, Greece. Piraeus is located within the Athens Urban Area, 12 km southwest from its city center , and lies along the east coast of the Saronic Gulf....
, Northwest of Sounio, and almost directly north of the old Ellinikon International Airport
Ellinikon International Airport
Ellinikon International Airport , sometimes spelled Hellinikon was the international airport of Athens, Greece for sixty years up until 2001 when it was replaced by the new Athens International Airport. It is located south of Athens, and just west of Glyfada...
, which served two entry points and several Olympic venues, including a basketball arena. The Saronic Gulf
Saronic Gulf
The Saronic Gulf or Gulf of Aegina in Greece forms part of the Aegean Sea and defines the eastern side of the isthmus of Corinth. It is the eastern terminus of the Corinth Canal, which cuts across the isthmus.-Geography:The gulf includes the islands of; Aegina, Salamis, and Poros along with...
is located to its west.
Early in the 20th century the area consisted of farmland, primarily pastures and groves. In the 1940s and again in the 1970s, urban development and businesses replaced much of the farmland, so that today, much of the area is urbanized. Business is concentrated in the south and along main avenues. A large marina
Marina
A marina is a dock or basin with moorings and supplies for yachts and small boats.A marina differs from a port in that a marina does not handle large passenger ships or cargo from freighters....
is situated to the west serving tens of piers with up to 1,100 boats. Depth ranges from 2 to 7 metres.
Alimos is also known for its beaches, luxurious restaurants and beach clubs. The most expensive places in Alimos are Lofos Pani, Ampelakia and the beach.
Education
Alimos has a wide range of modern and fully equipped public and private schools. Twelve small public and four small private KindergartenKindergarten
A kindergarten is a preschool educational institution for children. The term was created by Friedrich Fröbel for the play and activity institute that he created in 1837 in Bad Blankenburg as a social experience for children for their transition from home to school...
s are located in Alimos. Each one has approximately 2 classrooms in order to create small school communities. There are also 8 public and 2 private elementary schools, 6 public and 1 private junior-high schools, 4 public and 1 private high schools. All of them have a great popularity among schools in Greece. There is also an Educational Lyceum (EPAL) which provides high technical education to its students. Two specialized junior high schools located in Alimos, a musical school and a sports school, are highly regarded.
Cultural facilities
Alimos (Kalamaki) has a long cultural tradition for more than 2000 years, as the birthplace of ThucydidesThucydides
Thucydides was a Greek historian and author from Alimos. His History of the Peloponnesian War recounts the 5th century BC war between Sparta and Athens to the year 411 BC...
. The municipality of Alimos provides a wide range of cultural associations and the multipurpose Cultural Centre of Alimos. Furthermore, there is a public library and 3 summer theaters.
Sports facilities
Two small football stadiums, many basketball, tennis and volleyball courts are located in major sites in Alimos. There is also an indoor sports hall and the municipality plans to establish a new one. Local sports clubs and gyms have also been set up here since the '80s.Commercial activity
The commercial activity in Kalamaki or Alimos is concentrated in the major avenues that cross the city regional (Amfitheas-Poseidonos-Alimou) and the streets that are inside the city links (Thukididou-Kalamakiou-Theomitoros-Ionias-Dodekanisou). Thukididou Street contains the commercial activity of Kato Kalamaki (Lofos Pani-Ampelakia-Beach), and is near the Posidonos and the Alimou Avenue where are famous brand-name furniture shops. These shops attract consumers from all over Attica. In Vouliagmenis Avenue, near the Upper Kalamaki (Ano Kalamaki), shops with furniture and lighting products attract many customers from the southern Attica.Environment
Alimos is generally a great place for living. There 2 small forests (Lofos Pani Forest and the forest near the ancient Byzantine centre) inside that city, something quite unusual for Athens. The municipality tries to protect them. Recycling is promoted, with recycling bins all over the city and the Recycling Week, a programme which helps people understand the aims of recycling.Health facilities and services of general interest
Alimos, like every municipality in Attica, has a wide range of health facilities like the Municipal Clinic in Kalamakiou Street. A local hospital or a health centre is also planned to be built in the coming years. Three offshore centers for the elderly are also provided from the municipality so that every pensioner or elder can have access to these centers, which include forms of entertainment. Holidays and trips are organised almost every month for these elderly. Service Centers are available in major sites of the city (Thoukididou Square, Dodekanisou Street etc.), providing services and information to the residents.Neighbourhoods
There are many small and quite big neighbourhoods all over the city that are organised in little local societies (Ampelakia Society). The major neighbourhoods are Ano and Kato Kalamaki, and these are also divided into smaller neighbourhoods.Ano Kalamaki: It is located in eastern Alimos, with no access to the sea, it is quite populous with big squares (Trahones square) and a big organised park (Trahones Park). Life there is cheaper, so most of the residents have a middle income (approximately 30.000-70.000 euros per year).
Neighbourhoods: Trahones, Ekteloniston, Old Alimos.
Kato Kalamaki: It is located in western Alimos, near the sea. The Alimos' City Hall is located there. It is one of the most expensive areas in Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
, with lots of brand-name shops, beach clubs and beaches, lots of parks and squares and the huge Alimos playground near the Alimos plage Ilios (en. Sun). Most of residents there (especially the ones of Ampelakia and Lofos Pani) have a high income 50000-1.000.000 euros per year). Villas, luxurious apartments and lofts are located there.
Neighbourhoods: Ampelakia, Lofos Kithirion, Lofos Pani, the Beach and Dikigorika.
History
The first settlements uncovered by archeologists in Alimos date back to the Neolithic period, and the excavation site can be found in the region of Ano (upper) Kalamaki, immediately by the Vouliagmenis highway.In classical antiquity, Alimos was a fishing town on the outskirts of the city-state
City-state
A city-state is an independent or autonomous entity whose territory consists of a city which is not administered as a part of another local government.-Historical city-states:...
of Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
and constituted one of the deme
Deme
In Ancient Greece, a deme or demos was a subdivision of Attica, the region of Greece surrounding Athens. Demes as simple subdivisions of land in the countryside seem to have existed in the 6th century BC and earlier, but did not acquire particular significance until the reforms of Cleisthenes in...
s of Attica
Attica
Attica is a historical region of Greece, containing Athens, the current capital of Greece. The historical region is centered on the Attic peninsula, which projects into the Aegean Sea...
. Testament to its development during this period are the ruins of a small amphitheater, quite unusual in the ancient world in its rectangular design. The site can be found on Ancient Theater street in Ano Kalamaki (just a few blocks away from the Neolithic site). It is noteworthy that, while the town is more closely associated with its ties to the sea, as "alimos" in ancient Greek means "belonging to the sea", the main archeological sites are situated at the farthest point of the municipality from the shoreline.
The most significant historical affiliation of Alimos is that with Thucydides
Thucydides
Thucydides was a Greek historian and author from Alimos. His History of the Peloponnesian War recounts the 5th century BC war between Sparta and Athens to the year 411 BC...
. Thucydides was born in Alimos, and is often referred to as "Thucydides the Halimousian" (Greek :Θουκυδίδης ο Αλιμούσιος). The bust of Thucidydes is the emblem of Alimos, which is commonly used between schools in the area. Furthermore, the First High School of Alimos (Greek :Πρώτο ΓΕ.Λ. Αλίμου) is called Thucydidio (Greek :Θουκυδίδιο), after him.
Elections 2006
In 2006, local elections were held in Alimos in 2 rounds. In the first round Mr Mantzouranis came first with 38,01% and Mr Orfanos came second with 29,29%. In the second round Mr Orfanos won and became the new mayor of Alimos with 52,13%. Mr Mantzouranis, with 47,87% lost his mayoral throne.On January 1, Mr Thanos Orfanos became the new mayor of Alimos.
Elections 2010
In 2010, local elections were held again in 2 rounds.1st Round
1. Thanos Orfanos (Alimos, here we live) with 46,12%, 7.412 votes and 8 seats.
2. Nikos Tsamparlis (Alimos, all together) with 29,41% 4.727 votes and 5 seats.
3. Christos Douridas (Folk alliance for Alimos) with 13,18% 2.118 votes and 2 seats.
4. Dimitris Claudianus (Upside-Down in Kalamaki-Municipal movement of Alimos) with 11,29% 1.814 votes and 2 seats
2nd round
1. Thanos Orfanos (Alimos, here we live) with 60,89%, 6.990 votes and another 12 seats.
2. Nikos Tsamparlis (Alimos, all together) with 39,11%, 4.489 votes and another 4 seats.
Total Seats:
1. Alimos here we live→ 20 seats
2. Alimos, all together→ 12 seats
3. Folk alliance for Alimos→ 2 seats
4. Upside-Down in Kalamaki-Municipal movement of Alimos→ 2 seats
The current mayor won the elections with increased rates since the last elections (+8,76%) and (+4 seats).
Historical population
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1981 | 27,036 |
| 1991 | 32,024 |
| 2001 | 38,047 |
International relations
Alimos is twinnedTown twinning
Twin towns and sister cities are two of many terms used to describe the cooperative agreements between towns, cities, and even counties in geographically and politically distinct areas to promote cultural and commercial ties.- Terminology :...
with: Niš
Niš
Niš is the largest city of southern Serbia and third-largest city in Serbia . According to the data from 2011, the city of Niš has a population of 177,972 inhabitants, while the city municipality has a population of 257,867. The city covers an area of about 597 km2, including the urban area,...
, Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
External links
- Mapquest - Alimos, street map not available
- Coordinates: 37°54′37"N 23°42′37"E
- City of Alimos official website