Drapetsona
Encyclopedia
Drapetsona is a suburb and a former municipality in the western part of Piraeus
, Greece
. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Keratsini-Drapetsona, of which it is a municipal unit.
Harbor lies to the southeast in which between 2002. The city is about 12 km WSW of Athens
and about 1.5 km NW of downtown Piraeus
.
The area was made up of farmlands. Mixed farming was common. Urban development replaced much of the farmlands in the 1900s and the 1940s. Today, half of the area is urbanized or residential. The Shipping area of Piraeus which is Athens' closest lies to the west and south. It was first opened in the mid-20th century. It took several years to expand the area. The area expanded about 1 km² to make room for freight and shipping areas so shipping from Athens to other parts of the world can begin. The forests are in the southern and the western part along the shoreline.
. In 1805 the first church, Saint Dionysios was built.
In the 1830s Drapetsona was constituted of people who moved from Greek islands and built small districts near Saint Dionysios church in the area called Vourla. In 1834 a part of the region was given to Piraeus in order to become a cemetery under the term of churches’ reconstruction. Also a great number of brothel
s was established in 1873 to the west of Saint Dionysios.
After the Asia Minor Catastrophe
in 1922 there was a notable population increase. Immigrants from Minor Asia were settled down in small wooden constructions. Most of these houses maintained until 1968 when refugee settlements were built.
The modern city of Drapetsona was recognized as an autonomous municipality in 1951.
, MOBIL
, BP
). During the last decade most of the factories and industries were shut down or moved in other areas.
).
with two marinas for yachts and mega-yachts, residences, tourist's entertainment places and athletic activities will be placed.
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....
, 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 Keratsini-Drapetsona, of which it is a municipal unit.
Geography
Drapetsona Bay lies to the west and northwest and the PiraeusPiraeus
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....
Harbor lies to the southeast in which between 2002. The city is about 12 km WSW 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 about 1.5 km NW of downtown 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....
.
The area was made up of farmlands. Mixed farming was common. Urban development replaced much of the farmlands in the 1900s and the 1940s. Today, half of the area is urbanized or residential. The Shipping area of Piraeus which is Athens' closest lies to the west and south. It was first opened in the mid-20th century. It took several years to expand the area. The area expanded about 1 km² to make room for freight and shipping areas so shipping from Athens to other parts of the world can begin. The forests are in the southern and the western part along the shoreline.
History
Drapetsona during the antiquity was a region of Attic Municipality of Athens according to the administrative division of CleisthenesCleisthenes
Cleisthenes was a noble Athenian of the Alcmaeonid family. He is credited with reforming the constitution of ancient Athens and setting it on a democratic footing in 508/7 BC...
. In 1805 the first church, Saint Dionysios was built.
In the 1830s Drapetsona was constituted of people who moved from Greek islands and built small districts near Saint Dionysios church in the area called Vourla. In 1834 a part of the region was given to Piraeus in order to become a cemetery under the term of churches’ reconstruction. Also a great number of brothel
Brothel
Brothels are business establishments where patrons can engage in sexual activities with prostitutes. Brothels are known under a variety of names, including bordello, cathouse, knocking shop, whorehouse, strumpet house, sporting house, house of ill repute, house of prostitution, and bawdy house...
s was established in 1873 to the west of Saint Dionysios.
After the Asia Minor Catastrophe
Greek refugees
Greek refugees is a collective term used to refer to the Greeks from Asia Minor who were evacuated or relocated in Greece following the Treaty of Lausanne and the Population exchange between Greece and Turkey...
in 1922 there was a notable population increase. Immigrants from Minor Asia were settled down in small wooden constructions. Most of these houses maintained until 1968 when refugee settlements were built.
The modern city of Drapetsona was recognized as an autonomous municipality in 1951.
Industry
Since 19th century Drapetsona becomes one of the most important industrial areas of southern part of Athens. Since 1898 a lot of factories and industries established : Vasileiadis Shipyards, a fertilizers’ factory, a plaster’s factory, a cement factory and the most recent industries of petroleum products (SHELLShell Oil Company
Shell Oil Company is the United States-based subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell, a multinational oil company of Anglo Dutch origins, which is amongst the largest oil companies in the world. Approximately 22,000 Shell employees are based in the U.S. The head office in the U.S. is in Houston, Texas...
, MOBIL
Mobil
Mobil, previously known as the Socony-Vacuum Oil Company, was a major American oil company which merged with Exxon in 1999 to form ExxonMobil. Today Mobil continues as a major brand name within the combined company, as well as still being a gas station sometimes paired with their own store or On...
, BP
BP
BP p.l.c. is a global oil and gas company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the third-largest energy company and fourth-largest company in the world measured by revenues and one of the six oil and gas "supermajors"...
). During the last decade most of the factories and industries were shut down or moved in other areas.
Other
Drapetsona has schools, lyceums, gymnasia, banks, a police station, a post office, a secondary soccer team and squares (plateiesPlateia
Plateia or platia is the Greek word for town square. Most Greek and Cypriot cities have several town squares which are a point of reference in travelling and guiding...
).
Reconstruction plans
The plan suggested in 2006 for Municipality of Drapetsona foresees the reconstruction of nearly 640 acres (2.6 km²) to the west and south part. According to the plan a large shipping center of SaronikosSaronikos, Attica
Saronikos is a municipality in the East Attica regional unit, Attica, Greece. The seat of the municipality is the town Kalyvia Thorikou.-Municipality:...
with two marinas for yachts and mega-yachts, residences, tourist's entertainment places and athletic activities will be placed.
Historical population
| Year | Municipality |
|---|---|
| 1981 | 14,767 |
| 1991 | 13,094 |
| 2001 | 13,399 |