Evosmos is a suburb of the Thessaloniki Urban Area

Thessaloniki Urban Area

The Thessaloniki Urban Area is the contiguous densely built-up urban area around the municipality of Thessaloniki, Greece, which is the second largest municipality by population in the country behind Athens. The contiguous built-up area consists of 13 municipalities and forms the urban core of the...

 and was a former municipality in the regional unit of Thessaloniki, 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 Kordelio-Evosmos, of which it is the seat and a municipal unit. It has a land area of 9.927 km² and its population is 52,624 (2001 census). Due to rapid development, the population is expected to rise dramatically by the next census in 2011. Most of the new development is taking place in the northern district of the municipality called Nea Politeia (New State).

History

Evosmos' first dramatic increase in population occurred when refugees from Asia Minor settled in the area in the early 20th Century. The municipality was originally called Harmankioi (Χαρμάνκιοι). In 1953, Harmankioi became an independent community and was renamed Neos Koukloutzas (Νέος Κουκλουτζάς). Two years later, it was renamed again to Evosmos, meaning a place that smells nice. A marsh was removed, and with it the nefarious odors it emitted.

Life in the Municipality

Most cultural activity takes place around the municipality's main square. The square is surrounded by cafes, bars, the city hall, and the main church of the municipality.

The main shopping street, Megalou Alexandrou, is just to the north of the square. The cultural center and cinema are located on this street.

Religion

There are three churches in the municipality. Agios Athanasios was built in 1818 and is the oldest of the three. Evagelismos is the largest and is located by the square. The Church of the Three Hierarchs is the newest church and is located in the Nea Politeia district.

Sports

The Municipal Athletic Center of Evosmos (in Greek Δημοτικό Αθλητικό Κέντρο Ευόσμου) is located in Nea Politeia. It has indoor basketball and volleyball courts. The Center is temporary home to the professional volleyball team of Iraklis

Iraklis VC

Iraklis Thessaloniki Volleyball Club is a volleyball team based in Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece. It plays in A1 Greek Volleyball League and in CEV Champions League. Founded in the 1920s, it evolved in one of the most successful departments of G.S...

. It has played host to the 2003 Juniors' World Basketball Championship's first round.

Agrotikos Asteras is the local football club that plays professionally in the B' Division - Football League (Greece). Other smaller clubs include Aias Evosmou, A. E. Evosmou, Ethnikos Evosmou and Makedon Evosmou, all of which play in the amateur leagues.

Several notable athletes have come out of Evosmos. Some of the better-known figures include Dinos Kouis

Dinos Kouis

Dinos Kouis was a Greek footballer who some say, was the best player ever to wear the jersey of Aris Thessaloniki. Kouis was a football midfielder who starred at Harilaou Stadium between 1975 and 1991....

 and Georgios Firos who both started their careers at Agrotikos Asteras and went on to play for Aris Thessaloniki as well as the national team. Nikos Hatzivrettas

Nikos Hatzivrettas

Nikolaos "Nikos" Hatzivrettas is a Greek professional basketball player. Hatzivrettas is 1.97 m tall. He plays at the shooting guard and small forward positions...

 is a notable basketball player who began his career at Aias Evosmou and currently plays for Aris .