Ampelakia
Encyclopedia
Ampelakia is a town and a former municipality
of Salamis Island
, Greece
. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Salamis
, of which it is a municipal unit.
It lies on the central east coast of the island and has a land area of 15.169 km², comprising about one-sixth of the island's area (with the balance belonging to the Salamina (city)
). It has a population of 7,060 inhabitants (2001 census). Its largest town is also named Ampelakia, and has a population of 4,537. The other significant town is Selínia (pop. 2,346). The only other settlements are Kynosoúra (pop. 137) and Spithári (40).
occurred in 480 BC, during which the Greek ships defeated the Persian fleet of Xerxes
. Moreover, there are many remnants of the ancient town of Salamina which was a significant economic power between 350 and 318 BC when the town minted coins bearing the shield of the legendary hero Ajax. There are also churches which date back to the 16th century, for example the churches of St. John and St. Peter. Today Ambelakia is a nice city for a walk. The majority of the citizens are sailors. However, excavations are taking place at the ancient port, which is full of shipwrecks of old ships from the last 20 years. There are also a couple of large ship repair yards at Ambelakia. There is an effort by the Greek government to clean up the port and continue the excavations but the shipyard owners are against it because they would have to move. The biggest supermarket in the area is Kanakis
.
peninsula including the Piraeus
part of Athens can be seen during clear days.
Communities and Municipalities of Greece
For the new municipalities of Greece see the Kallikratis ProgrammeThe municipalities and communities of Greece are one of several levels of government within the organizational structure of that country. Thirteen regions called peripheries form the largest unit of government beneath the State. ...
of Salamis Island
Salamis Island
Salamis , is the largest Greek island in the Saronic Gulf, about 1 nautical mile off-coast from Piraeus and about 16 km west of Athens. The chief city, Salamina , lies in the west-facing core of the crescent on Salamis Bay, which opens into the Saronic Gulf...
, Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Salamis
Salamis Island
Salamis , is the largest Greek island in the Saronic Gulf, about 1 nautical mile off-coast from Piraeus and about 16 km west of Athens. The chief city, Salamina , lies in the west-facing core of the crescent on Salamis Bay, which opens into the Saronic Gulf...
, of which it is a municipal unit.
It lies on the central east coast of the island and has a land area of 15.169 km², comprising about one-sixth of the island's area (with the balance belonging to the Salamina (city)
Salamina (city)
Salamina City , or Kulluri ) is the largest town and a former municipality on Salamis Island in Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Salamis, of which it is the seat and a municipal unit....
). It has a population of 7,060 inhabitants (2001 census). Its largest town is also named Ampelakia, and has a population of 4,537. The other significant town is Selínia (pop. 2,346). The only other settlements are Kynosoúra (pop. 137) and Spithári (40).
History
The city of Ampelakia has a long history. It was at Ampelakia Bay where the famous Battle of SalamisBattle of Salamis
The Battle of Salamis was fought between an Alliance of Greek city-states and the Persian Empire in September 480 BCE, in the straits between the mainland and Salamis, an island in the Saronic Gulf near Athens...
occurred in 480 BC, during which the Greek ships defeated the Persian fleet of Xerxes
Xerxes I of Persia
Xerxes I of Persia , Ḫšayāršā, ), also known as Xerxes the Great, was the fifth king of kings of the Achaemenid Empire.-Youth and rise to power:...
. Moreover, there are many remnants of the ancient town of Salamina which was a significant economic power between 350 and 318 BC when the town minted coins bearing the shield of the legendary hero Ajax. There are also churches which date back to the 16th century, for example the churches of St. John and St. Peter. Today Ambelakia is a nice city for a walk. The majority of the citizens are sailors. However, excavations are taking place at the ancient port, which is full of shipwrecks of old ships from the last 20 years. There are also a couple of large ship repair yards at Ambelakia. There is an effort by the Greek government to clean up the port and continue the excavations but the shipyard owners are against it because they would have to move. The biggest supermarket in the area is Kanakis
Kanakis
Kanakis is a local supermarket chain in the Greek island of Salamina. As of 2006 it has 6 stores, all located in Salamina. Kanakis was founded in Salamis in 1983....
.
Geography
Much of the area is made up of rocky landscapes with a few bushes, while some farmlands lie within the sea. The rest of the area is made up of residential areas. A panorama of the AtticaAttica
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...
peninsula including the 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....
part of Athens can be seen during clear days.
Historical population
| Year | Town population | Municipality population |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 4,180 | 5,187 |
| 1991 | 4,174 | 6,760 |
| 2001 | 4,537 | 7,060 |
Subdivisions
The municipal unit Ampelakia is subdivided into the following communities (constituent villages in brackets):- Ampelakia (Ampelakia, Kynosoura, Spithari)
- Selinia