Kozani
Encyclopedia
Kozani is a city in northern Greece
, capital of Kozani regional unit and of West Macedonia
region. It is located in the western part of Macedonia
, in the northern part of the Aliakmonas river valley. The city lies 710 meters above sea level, 15 kilometers north-west of the artificial lake Polyfytos, 120 km south-west of Thessaloniki
, between the mountains Pieria
, Vermio
, Vourinos
and Askio
. Its population is estimated at about 50,000. The climate of the area is continental with cold and dry winters, and hot summers.
Kozani is the home of the Technological Educational Institute of Western Macedonia and the University of Western Macedonia
, with about 15,000 students from all over Greece and other places. It is also the seat of West Macedonia's court of appeal, police department, fire brigade, the seat of the 1st Army Corps of the Hellenic Army
and of the Bishop of Servia and Kozani
.
One of the most important aspects of local folklore
is Kozani's carnival
at the end of the winter, which retains much of the profanity
of the ancient Dionysiac
cult. Kozani is renowned in Greece and abroad for the production of Saffron
(Krokos Kozanis), in the nearby town of Krokos
.
Kozani is a transport node between Central Macedonia
, Thessaly
and Epirus
. The nearest airport is Filippos Airport, 4 km from the city, IATA code: KZI. The airport was first opened in the mid-20th century. Kozani is situated near the Egnatia Highway
, which connects the coast of the Ionian Sea with Thessaloniki and Turkish borders.
According to prevailing opinion in Greece, the name comes from the village of Epirus
Kósdiani, the origin of settlers of Kozani in 1392. The settlement was first named Kózdiani, which then, it was changed into Kóziani, and in the end into Kozáni.
Another opinion is that the name "Kozani", derive from the slavic kožani < koža 'skin, leather'.
has been found, dating to the early Iron Age
. During Philip II of Macedon
's reign, the region was named Elimeia
, which was part of Upper Macedonia
. In the south-west of the modern city, on Siopoto hill, there was a settlement named Kalyvia, between 1100 and 1300, traces of which are still preserved.
conquest, withdrew from the plains of Macedonia
into the mountains, during the 14th and 15th centuries. Its secure position soon attracted other Christians expelled from Epirus
, in 1392. Together with the settlers from Epirus, many cattle-breeders moved in the region.
The first recorded mention of Kozani is in an Ottoman register of 1528, as a settlement with 91 houses, 23 singles and 15 widows. One of the most important colonizers of Kozani was the chief shepherd Ioannis Trantas, who settled about 100 families. His son, Charisios Trantas, managed to obtain a Sultan's firman in 1664, according to the terms of which the town came under the protection of the Sultan's mother, was endowed with many privileges, and became forbidden for the Turks to settle in.
In 1664, the magnificent church of Agios Nikolaos was built. In 1668, the library
and the famous school of Kozani were founded. During the 17th and 18th century, commercial relations with the countries of central Europe
gave the opportunity for the city to flourish economically. During the 19th century, as foreign travellers relate, the population of the town was Greek, and was growing (Leake
1835:305 and Bouè
1854:87).
The town's growth was disrupted in 1770, because of conflict that erupted between Kozani's local inhabitants and Kozanite merchants in central Europe, who contributed to the town's prosperity; even more catastrophically, the city was pillaged by Turkish bey
s in 1770. A subsequent incursion by Aslan bey, in 1830, ravaged the city immensely. In 1855 next to St. Nicholas Church a 26 meters high bell tower was built, which would become the symbol of the city. In 1939 a clock will be placed on the top floor of the tower, donation of Greek American Konstantinos Mamatsios. According to the 1904 population census, 12,000 Greeks and 350 Vlachs
were living in Kozani at the time.
The Greek army entered Kozani on 11 October 1912, during the First Balkan War
, after its victory against the Ottoman army in the Battle of Sarantaporo
. By this time, the population of the town was 12,000 Orthodox
Greeks
. In 1923, during the population exchange between Greece and Turkey
, about 1,400 Greek families from Pontus
and Asia Minor
were settled in Kozani.
that occurred in the region on 13 May 1995, with a magnitude of 6.6 on the Richter scale
caused only property damage.
The city now combines modern with old architecture. Some magnificent buildings are the Clock tower
, the Townhall, the Folklore museum
, the "Valtadoreio" Gymnasium
, the National Bank
building, the "Ermioneion" Hotel
and the mansion
s of Georgios Lassanis
and Grigorios Vourkas. The Municipal library
of Kozani called "Kovendareios" is the second biggest in Greece, and it has 150,000 books, rare publications, valuable documents, and one of the rare copies of Rigas Feraios
Charter
. For this reason Kozani was included in the National Cultural Network of Cities with object the promotion of the Book and Reading. The Institute of Book and Reading was established and Kozani is now known as City of Books. Today Kozani is the administrative, commercial, economic, and transport centre of the region of West Macedonia
.
supply, and a large part of the population works in coal power plant (DEI - Greek national electrical company
). In the region, 80% of the electric energy of the country is produced. Other famous products are marble
, Saffron
, (Krokos
Kozanis), fruits, local wines and specialized arts and crafts industry. A lot of bank
s have branches
in Kozani. The local bank is named Bank of West Macedonia.
The Commercial Exhibition of Kozani takes part in the Exhibition Centre of West Macedonia
in Koila Kozanis
every September. Many firms from Greece and other Balkan countries participate, especially with local products.
, TOP Channel
and Flash TV. Top-circulation newspapers include Chronos
, Grammi, Tharros
and others.
(or GR-2
, or E90
) from Ioannina
and Thessaloniki
, GR-3
(or E65
) from Larissa
and Florina
, GR-4
and GR-20
.
The public transit in the city is provided by minibus
es, and between the centre and the municipal departments, it is provided by Transit bus
es. The traffic
problems of the city have become more severe during the last few years.
The municipality Kozani was formed at the 2011 local government reform by the merger of the following 5 former municipalities, that became municipal units:
The total population is 68,680. It is developing into a nodal town of the Western Balkans, with areas and activities of a wider regional nature. Within this context, the municipality of Kozani is creating a modern satellite town, the Kozani Zone of Alternate Urban Planning (ZEP). The Municipal Corporation of alternate planning and development of Kozani S.A.(DEPEPOK) was established in order to implement the projects of the ZEP.
The ZEP is strategically located on 50 ha south-west of Kozani, and aims to become a model development centre, attracting an urban population and economic activities from throughout Western Macedonia in Greece and the Western Balkans.
Other known neighborhoods of Kozani are Sk'rka, Ipirotika, Gitia, Agios Athanasios, Platania.
There are 18 Primary schools in Kozani, and another 8, in the municipal departments of Vatero, Kariditsa, Koila, Lefkovrysi, Lefkopigi, Nea Charavgi, Xirolimni and Petrana. The Gymnasiums
of the city are 8, and there are two more in the municipal departments of Lefkopigi and Xirolimni. There are also 4 Lyceum
s, 4 Technical Schools (TEE), some Business Schools and one municipal Odeum.
Kozani is the home of the Technological Educational Institute of Western Macedonia - one of the biggest in Greece (founded on 1976). Three of its Faculties are in the city - the Faculty of Administration and Economy, Technological Applications and Health. (The rest of them are in other places of West Macedonia). The seat of the University of Western Macedonia
and its Faculty of Engineering
, they are also in Kozani. The University
was founded in 2002.
Kozani carnival is one of the most important events in the region, taking place the end of the winter. The most interesting local celebration during the carnival
are the Fanoi (great bonfires), which are lit in the squares of Kozani. Around them, people sing and dance mainly scoptic songs and local dances, such as the best known song in the region - the Enteka
of Kozani, often called Kozani's "national anthem". All celebrations become more exciting on the Sunday of the last week, after the carnival parade, when bonfires are lit all over the town which burn until the early morning hours.
At the end of summer Lassaneia Events are organised. They consist of theatrical representations, concerts, athletic events etc. The name "Lassaneia" comes from Georgios Lassanis
, who was from Kozani and participated in the Greek War of Independence. A part of those events is also the new authors song festival "Nikolas Asimos
".
Niaimeros is a fair in the north of the city in the Niaimeros place. It takes place on the first Tuesday of October. It used to last 9 days (niaimeros = nine days), but now it lasts only 3 days.
Official local public holidays are the celebration for the liberation of the city from the Turks on 11th October and Saint Nicolas
day - Kozani's patron - on 6th December.
The municipal Band
is named Pandora. It was founded in 1902, and it takes part in all the events and celebrations.
and rice
in salty carbage-leaf, having the shape of an egg. It is used often as Christmas food. Kichi (Kozanitiko kichi) is called another local dish, which is actually a cheese pie
with circular-snail form.
Bristol, Connecticut
, USA, since November 2, 1987 Iaşi
, Romania
Toluca
, Mexico
Turgovishte, Bulgaria
, since 2002
Kozani is a city in northern Greece
, capital of Kozani regional unit and of West Macedonia
region. It is located in the western part of Macedonia
, in the northern part of the Aliakmonas river valley. The city lies 710 meters above sea level, 15 kilometers north-west of the artificial lake Polyfytos, 120 km south-west of Thessaloniki
, between the mountains Pieria
, Vermio
, Vourinos
and Askio
. Its population is estimated at about 50,000. The climate of the area is continental with cold and dry winters, and hot summers.
Kozani is the home of the Technological Educational Institute of Western Macedonia and the University of Western Macedonia
, with about 15,000 students from all over Greece and other places. It is also the seat of West Macedonia's court of appeal, police department, fire brigade, the seat of the 1st Army Corps of the Hellenic Army
and of the Bishop of Servia and Kozani
.
One of the most important aspects of local folklore
is Kozani's carnival
at the end of the winter, which retains much of the profanity
of the ancient Dionysiac
cult. Kozani is renowned in Greece and abroad for the production of Saffron
(Krokos Kozanis), in the nearby town of Krokos
.
Kozani is a transport node between Central Macedonia
, Thessaly
and Epirus
. The nearest airport is Filippos Airport, 4 km from the city, IATA code: KZI. The airport was first opened in the mid-20th century. Kozani is situated near the Egnatia Highway
, which connects the coast of the Ionian Sea with Thessaloniki and Turkish borders.
According to prevailing opinion in Greece, the name comes from the village of Epirus
Kósdiani, the origin of settlers of Kozani in 1392. The settlement was first named Kózdiani, which then, it was changed into Kóziani, and in the end into Kozáni.
Another opinion is that the name "Kozani", derive from the slavic kožani < koža 'skin, leather'.
has been found, dating to the early Iron Age
. During Philip II of Macedon
's reign, the region was named Elimeia
, which was part of Upper Macedonia
. In the south-west of the modern city, on Siopoto hill, there was a settlement named Kalyvia, between 1100 and 1300, traces of which are still preserved.
conquest, withdrew from the plains of Macedonia
into the mountains, during the 14th and 15th centuries. Its secure position soon attracted other Christians expelled from Epirus
, in 1392. Together with the settlers from Epirus, many cattle-breeders moved in the region.
The first recorded mention of Kozani is in an Ottoman register of 1528, as a settlement with 91 houses, 23 singles and 15 widows. One of the most important colonizers of Kozani was the chief shepherd Ioannis Trantas, who settled about 100 families. His son, Charisios Trantas, managed to obtain a Sultan's firman in 1664, according to the terms of which the town came under the protection of the Sultan's mother, was endowed with many privileges, and became forbidden for the Turks to settle in.
In 1664, the magnificent church of Agios Nikolaos was built. In 1668, the library
and the famous school of Kozani were founded. During the 17th and 18th century, commercial relations with the countries of central Europe
gave the opportunity for the city to flourish economically. During the 19th century, as foreign travellers relate, the population of the town was Greek, and was growing (Leake
1835:305 and Bouè
1854:87).
The town's growth was disrupted in 1770, because of conflict that erupted between Kozani's local inhabitants and Kozanite merchants in central Europe, who contributed to the town's prosperity; even more catastrophically, the city was pillaged by Turkish bey
s in 1770. A subsequent incursion by Aslan bey, in 1830, ravaged the city immensely. In 1855 next to St. Nicholas Church a 26 meters high bell tower was built, which would become the symbol of the city. In 1939 a clock will be placed on the top floor of the tower, donation of Greek American Konstantinos Mamatsios. According to the 1904 population census, 12,000 Greeks and 350 Vlachs
were living in Kozani at the time.
The Greek army entered Kozani on 11 October 1912, during the First Balkan War
, after its victory against the Ottoman army in the Battle of Sarantaporo
. By this time, the population of the town was 12,000 Orthodox
Greeks
. In 1923, during the population exchange between Greece and Turkey
, about 1,400 Greek families from Pontus
and Asia Minor
were settled in Kozani.
that occurred in the region on 13 May 1995, with a magnitude of 6.6 on the Richter scale
caused only property damage.
The city now combines modern with old architecture. Some magnificent buildings are the Clock tower
, the Townhall, the Folklore museum
, the "Valtadoreio" Gymnasium
, the National Bank
building, the "Ermioneion" Hotel
and the mansion
s of Georgios Lassanis
and Grigorios Vourkas. The Municipal library
of Kozani called "Kovendareios" is the second biggest in Greece, and it has 150,000 books, rare publications, valuable documents, and one of the rare copies of Rigas Feraios
Charter
. For this reason Kozani was included in the National Cultural Network of Cities with object the promotion of the Book and Reading. The Institute of Book and Reading was established and Kozani is now known as City of Books. Today Kozani is the administrative, commercial, economic, and transport centre of the region of West Macedonia
.
supply, and a large part of the population works in coal power plant (DEI - Greek national electrical company
). In the region, 80% of the electric energy of the country is produced. Other famous products are marble
, Saffron
, (Krokos
Kozanis), fruits, local wines and specialized arts and crafts industry. A lot of bank
s have branches
in Kozani. The local bank is named Bank of West Macedonia.
The Commercial Exhibition of Kozani takes part in the Exhibition Centre of West Macedonia
in Koila Kozanis
every September. Many firms from Greece and other Balkan countries participate, especially with local products.
, TOP Channel
and Flash TV. Top-circulation newspapers include Chronos
, Grammi, Tharros
and others.
! Year !! Town population !! Municipality population
|-
| 1971 || 23,240 || -
|-
| 1981 || 31,120 || -
|-
| 1991 || 31,553 || 43,395
|-
| 2001 || 38,591 || 49,812
|}
(or GR-2
, or E90
) from Ioannina
and Thessaloniki
, GR-3
(or E65
) from Larissa
and Florina
, GR-4
and GR-20
.
The public transit in the city is provided by minibus
es, and between the centre and the municipal departments, it is provided by Transit bus
es. The traffic
problems of the city have become more severe during the last few years.
The municipality Kozani was formed at the 2011 local government reform by the merger of the following 5 former municipalities, that became municipal units:
{| class=wikitable
! Municipal unit !! Population
|-
| Kozani || align=right | 47,461
|-
| Aiani
|| align=right | 3,816
|-
| Dimitrios Ypsilantis
|| align=right | 3,018
|-
| Elimeia
|| align=right | 6,429
|-
| Ellispontos
|| align=right | 7,966
|-
|}
The total population is 68,680. It is developing into a nodal town of the Western Balkans, with areas and activities of a wider regional nature. Within this context, the municipality of Kozani is creating a modern satellite town, the Kozani Zone of Alternate Urban Planning (ZEP). The Municipal Corporation of alternate planning and development of Kozani S.A.(DEPEPOK) was established in order to implement the projects of the ZEP.
The ZEP is strategically located on 50 ha south-west of Kozani, and aims to become a model development centre, attracting an urban population and economic activities from throughout Western Macedonia in Greece and the Western Balkans.
Other known neighborhoods of Kozani are Sk'rka, Ipirotika, Gitia, Agios Athanasios, Platania.
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;width:100%;border:0px;text-align:center;line-height:120%;"
! style="background: #99CCCC; color: #000080" height="17" |Month
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Jan
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Feb
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Mar
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Apr
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | May
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Jun
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Jul
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Aug
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Sep
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Oct
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Nov
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Dec
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Year
|-
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" |Avg high temperature °C (°F)
| style="background: #DDDDDD; color:#000000;" | 6 (43)
| style="background: #DDDDDD; color:#000000;" | 8 (48)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color:#000000;" | 11 (53)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color:#000000;" | 17 (63)
| style="background: #FFCC66; color:#000000;" | 20 (69)
| style="background: #FFCC66; color:#000000;" | 25 (78)
| style="background: #FFCC66; color:#000000;" | 29 (85)
| style="background: #FFCC66; color:#000000;" | 27 (82)
| style="background: #FFCC66; color:#000000;" | 25 (77)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color:#000000;" | 18 (66)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color:#000000;" | 13 (56)
| style="background: #DDDDDD; color:#000000;" | 6 (43)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color:#000000;" | 17 (64)
|-
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" |Highest Recorded Temperature °C (°F)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color:#000000;" | 18 (66)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color:#000000;" | 18 (66)
| style="background: #FFCC66; color:#000000;" | 21 (70)
| style="background: #FFCC66; color:#000000;" | 27 (81)
| style="background: #FF8000; color:#000000;" | 30 (86)
| style="background: #FF8000; color:#000000;" | 36 (97)
| style="background: #FF8000; color:#000000;" | 37 (99)
| style="background: #FF8000; color:#000000;" | 35 (95)
| style="background: #FF8000; color:#000000;" | 31 (88)
| style="background: #FFCC66; color:#000000;" | 27 (81)
| style="background: #FFCC66; color:#000000;" | 25 (77)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color:#000000;" | 16 (61)
| style="background: #FF8000; color:#000000;" | 37 (99)
|-
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" height="16;" |Avg low temperature °C (°F)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | -1 (29)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | 0 (32)
| style="background: #DDDDDD; color: black;" | 1 (34)
| style="background: #DDDDDD; color: black;" | 6 (44)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color: black;" | 10 (50)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color: black;" | 13 (57)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color: black;" | 16 (62)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color: black;" | 16 (61)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color: black;" | 13 (56)
| style="background: #DDDDDD; color: black;" | 8 (47)
| style="background: #DDDDDD; color: black;" | 4 (40)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | 0 (33)
| style="background: #DDDDDD; color: black;" | 7 (45)
|-
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" height="16;" | Lowest Recorded Temperature °C (°F)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | -16 (3)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | -8 (16)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | -11 (12)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | -5 (23)
| style="background: #DDDDDD; color: black;" | 2 (37)
| style="background: #DDDDDD; color: black;" | 7 (46)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color: black;" | 11 (52)
| style="background: #DDDDDD; color: black;" | 7 (45)
| style="background: #DDDDDD; color: black;" | 7 (45)
| style="background: #FFFFCC; color: black;" | -2 (28)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | -5 (23)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | -12 (9)
| style="background: #FFFFCC; color: black;" | -16 (3)
|-
| colspan="14" style="text-align:center;font-size:90%;"|Source: Weatherbase
|}
There are 18 Primary schools in Kozani, and another 8, in the municipal departments of Vatero, Kariditsa, Koila, Lefkovrysi, Lefkopigi, Nea Charavgi, Xirolimni and Petrana. The Gymnasiums
of the city are 8, and there are two more in the municipal departments of Lefkopigi and Xirolimni. There are also 4 Lyceum
s, 4 Technical Schools (TEE), some Business Schools and one municipal Odeum.
Kozani is the home of the Technological Educational Institute of Western Macedonia - one of the biggest in Greece (founded on 1976). Three of its Faculties are in the city - the Faculty of Administration and Economy, Technological Applications and Health. (The rest of them are in other places of West Macedonia). The seat of the University of Western Macedonia
and its Faculty of Engineering
, they are also in Kozani. The University
was founded in 2002.
Kozani carnival is one of the most important events in the region, taking place the end of the winter. The most interesting local celebration during the carnival
are the Fanoi (great bonfires), which are lit in the squares of Kozani. Around them, people sing and dance mainly scoptic songs and local dances, such as the best known song in the region - the Enteka
of Kozani, often called Kozani's "national anthem". All celebrations become more exciting on the Sunday of the last week, after the carnival parade, when bonfires are lit all over the town which burn until the early morning hours.
At the end of summer Lassaneia Events are organised. They consist of theatrical representations, concerts, athletic events etc. The name "Lassaneia" comes from Georgios Lassanis
, who was from Kozani and participated in the Greek War of Independence. A part of those events is also the new authors song festival "Nikolas Asimos
".
Niaimeros is a fair in the north of the city in the Niaimeros place. It takes place on the first Tuesday of October. It used to last 9 days (niaimeros = nine days), but now it lasts only 3 days.
Official local public holidays are the celebration for the liberation of the city from the Turks on 11th October and Saint Nicolas
day - Kozani's patron - on 6th December.
The municipal Band
is named Pandora. It was founded in 1902, and it takes part in all the events and celebrations.
and rice
in salty carbage-leaf, having the shape of an egg. It is used often as Christmas food. Kichi (Kozanitiko kichi) is called another local dish, which is actually a cheese pie
with circular-snail form.
Bristol, Connecticut
, USA, since November 2, 1987 Iaşi
, Romania
Toluca
, Mexico
Turgovishte, Bulgaria
, since 2002
Kozani is a city in northern Greece
, capital of Kozani regional unit and of West Macedonia
region. It is located in the western part of Macedonia
, in the northern part of the Aliakmonas river valley. The city lies 710 meters above sea level, 15 kilometers north-west of the artificial lake Polyfytos, 120 km south-west of Thessaloniki
, between the mountains Pieria
, Vermio
, Vourinos
and Askio
. Its population is estimated at about 50,000. The climate of the area is continental with cold and dry winters, and hot summers.
Kozani is the home of the Technological Educational Institute of Western Macedonia and the University of Western Macedonia
, with about 15,000 students from all over Greece and other places. It is also the seat of West Macedonia's court of appeal, police department, fire brigade, the seat of the 1st Army Corps of the Hellenic Army
and of the Bishop of Servia and Kozani
.
One of the most important aspects of local folklore
is Kozani's carnival
at the end of the winter, which retains much of the profanity
of the ancient Dionysiac
cult. Kozani is renowned in Greece and abroad for the production of Saffron
(Krokos Kozanis), in the nearby town of Krokos
.
Kozani is a transport node between Central Macedonia
, Thessaly
and Epirus
. The nearest airport is Filippos Airport, 4 km from the city, IATA code: KZI. The airport was first opened in the mid-20th century. Kozani is situated near the Egnatia Highway
, which connects the coast of the Ionian Sea with Thessaloniki and Turkish borders.
According to prevailing opinion in Greece, the name comes from the village of Epirus
Kósdiani, the origin of settlers of Kozani in 1392. The settlement was first named Kózdiani, which then, it was changed into Kóziani, and in the end into Kozáni.
Another opinion is that the name "Kozani", derive from the slavic kožani < koža 'skin, leather'.
has been found, dating to the early Iron Age
. During Philip II of Macedon
's reign, the region was named Elimeia
, which was part of Upper Macedonia
. In the south-west of the modern city, on Siopoto hill, there was a settlement named Kalyvia, between 1100 and 1300, traces of which are still preserved.
conquest, withdrew from the plains of Macedonia
into the mountains, during the 14th and 15th centuries. Its secure position soon attracted other Christians expelled from Epirus
, in 1392. Together with the settlers from Epirus, many cattle-breeders moved in the region.
The first recorded mention of Kozani is in an Ottoman register of 1528, as a settlement with 91 houses, 23 singles and 15 widows. One of the most important colonizers of Kozani was the chief shepherd Ioannis Trantas, who settled about 100 families. His son, Charisios Trantas, managed to obtain a Sultan's firman in 1664, according to the terms of which the town came under the protection of the Sultan's mother, was endowed with many privileges, and became forbidden for the Turks to settle in.
In 1664, the magnificent church of Agios Nikolaos was built. In 1668, the library
and the famous school of Kozani were founded. During the 17th and 18th century, commercial relations with the countries of central Europe
gave the opportunity for the city to flourish economically. During the 19th century, as foreign travellers relate, the population of the town was Greek, and was growing (Leake
1835:305 and Bouè
1854:87).
The town's growth was disrupted in 1770, because of conflict that erupted between Kozani's local inhabitants and Kozanite merchants in central Europe, who contributed to the town's prosperity; even more catastrophically, the city was pillaged by Turkish bey
s in 1770. A subsequent incursion by Aslan bey, in 1830, ravaged the city immensely. In 1855 next to St. Nicholas Church a 26 meters high bell tower was built, which would become the symbol of the city. In 1939 a clock will be placed on the top floor of the tower, donation of Greek American Konstantinos Mamatsios. According to the 1904 population census, 12,000 Greeks and 350 Vlachs
were living in Kozani at the time.
The Greek army entered Kozani on 11 October 1912, during the First Balkan War
, after its victory against the Ottoman army in the Battle of Sarantaporo
. By this time, the population of the town was 12,000 Orthodox
Greeks
. In 1923, during the population exchange between Greece and Turkey
, about 1,400 Greek families from Pontus
and Asia Minor
were settled in Kozani.
that occurred in the region on 13 May 1995, with a magnitude of 6.6 on the Richter scale
caused only property damage.
The city now combines modern with old architecture. Some magnificent buildings are the Clock tower
, the Townhall, the Folklore museum
, the "Valtadoreio" Gymnasium
, the National Bank
building, the "Ermioneion" Hotel
and the mansion
s of Georgios Lassanis
and Grigorios Vourkas. The Municipal library
of Kozani called "Kovendareios" is the second biggest in Greece, and it has 150,000 books, rare publications, valuable documents, and one of the rare copies of Rigas Feraios
Charter
. For this reason Kozani was included in the National Cultural Network of Cities with object the promotion of the Book and Reading. The Institute of Book and Reading was established and Kozani is now known as City of Books. Today Kozani is the administrative, commercial, economic, and transport centre of the region of West Macedonia
.
supply, and a large part of the population works in coal power plant (DEI - Greek national electrical company
). In the region, 80% of the electric energy of the country is produced. Other famous products are marble
, Saffron
, (Krokos
Kozanis), fruits, local wines and specialized arts and crafts industry. A lot of bank
s have branches
in Kozani. The local bank is named Bank of West Macedonia.
The Commercial Exhibition of Kozani takes part in the Exhibition Centre of West Macedonia
in Koila Kozanis
every September. Many firms from Greece and other Balkan countries participate, especially with local products.
, TOP Channel
and Flash TV. Top-circulation newspapers include Chronos
, Grammi, Tharros
and others.
! Year !! Town population !! Municipality population
|-
| 1971 || 23,240 || -
|-
| 1981 || 31,120 || -
|-
| 1991 || 31,553 || 43,395
|-
| 2001 || 38,591 || 49,812
|}
(or GR-2
, or E90
) from Ioannina
and Thessaloniki
, GR-3
(or E65
) from Larissa
and Florina
, GR-4
and GR-20
.
The public transit in the city is provided by minibus
es, and between the centre and the municipal departments, it is provided by Transit bus
es. The traffic
problems of the city have become more severe during the last few years.
The municipality Kozani was formed at the 2011 local government reform by the merger of the following 5 former municipalities, that became municipal units:
{| class=wikitable
! Municipal unit !! Population
|-
| Kozani || align=right | 47,461
|-
| Aiani
|| align=right | 3,816
|-
| Dimitrios Ypsilantis
|| align=right | 3,018
|-
| Elimeia
|| align=right | 6,429
|-
| Ellispontos
|| align=right | 7,966
|-
|}
The total population is 68,680. It is developing into a nodal town of the Western Balkans, with areas and activities of a wider regional nature. Within this context, the municipality of Kozani is creating a modern satellite town, the Kozani Zone of Alternate Urban Planning (ZEP). The Municipal Corporation of alternate planning and development of Kozani S.A.(DEPEPOK) was established in order to implement the projects of the ZEP.
The ZEP is strategically located on 50 ha south-west of Kozani, and aims to become a model development centre, attracting an urban population and economic activities from throughout Western Macedonia in Greece and the Western Balkans.
Other known neighborhoods of Kozani are Sk'rka, Ipirotika, Gitia, Agios Athanasios, Platania.
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;width:100%;border:0px;text-align:center;line-height:120%;"
! style="background: #99CCCC; color: #000080" height="17" |Month
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Jan
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Feb
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Mar
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Apr
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | May
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Jun
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Jul
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Aug
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Sep
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Oct
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Nov
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Dec
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Year
|-
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" |Avg high temperature °C (°F)
| style="background: #DDDDDD; color:#000000;" | 6 (43)
| style="background: #DDDDDD; color:#000000;" | 8 (48)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color:#000000;" | 11 (53)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color:#000000;" | 17 (63)
| style="background: #FFCC66; color:#000000;" | 20 (69)
| style="background: #FFCC66; color:#000000;" | 25 (78)
| style="background: #FFCC66; color:#000000;" | 29 (85)
| style="background: #FFCC66; color:#000000;" | 27 (82)
| style="background: #FFCC66; color:#000000;" | 25 (77)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color:#000000;" | 18 (66)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color:#000000;" | 13 (56)
| style="background: #DDDDDD; color:#000000;" | 6 (43)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color:#000000;" | 17 (64)
|-
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" |Highest Recorded Temperature °C (°F)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color:#000000;" | 18 (66)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color:#000000;" | 18 (66)
| style="background: #FFCC66; color:#000000;" | 21 (70)
| style="background: #FFCC66; color:#000000;" | 27 (81)
| style="background: #FF8000; color:#000000;" | 30 (86)
| style="background: #FF8000; color:#000000;" | 36 (97)
| style="background: #FF8000; color:#000000;" | 37 (99)
| style="background: #FF8000; color:#000000;" | 35 (95)
| style="background: #FF8000; color:#000000;" | 31 (88)
| style="background: #FFCC66; color:#000000;" | 27 (81)
| style="background: #FFCC66; color:#000000;" | 25 (77)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color:#000000;" | 16 (61)
| style="background: #FF8000; color:#000000;" | 37 (99)
|-
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" height="16;" |Avg low temperature °C (°F)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | -1 (29)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | 0 (32)
| style="background: #DDDDDD; color: black;" | 1 (34)
| style="background: #DDDDDD; color: black;" | 6 (44)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color: black;" | 10 (50)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color: black;" | 13 (57)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color: black;" | 16 (62)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color: black;" | 16 (61)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color: black;" | 13 (56)
| style="background: #DDDDDD; color: black;" | 8 (47)
| style="background: #DDDDDD; color: black;" | 4 (40)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | 0 (33)
| style="background: #DDDDDD; color: black;" | 7 (45)
|-
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" height="16;" | Lowest Recorded Temperature °C (°F)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | -16 (3)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | -8 (16)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | -11 (12)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | -5 (23)
| style="background: #DDDDDD; color: black;" | 2 (37)
| style="background: #DDDDDD; color: black;" | 7 (46)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color: black;" | 11 (52)
| style="background: #DDDDDD; color: black;" | 7 (45)
| style="background: #DDDDDD; color: black;" | 7 (45)
| style="background: #FFFFCC; color: black;" | -2 (28)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | -5 (23)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | -12 (9)
| style="background: #FFFFCC; color: black;" | -16 (3)
|-
| colspan="14" style="text-align:center;font-size:90%;"|Source: Weatherbase
|}
There are 18 Primary schools in Kozani, and another 8, in the municipal departments of Vatero, Kariditsa, Koila, Lefkovrysi, Lefkopigi, Nea Charavgi, Xirolimni and Petrana. The Gymnasiums
of the city are 8, and there are two more in the municipal departments of Lefkopigi and Xirolimni. There are also 4 Lyceum
s, 4 Technical Schools (TEE), some Business Schools and one municipal Odeum.
Kozani is the home of the Technological Educational Institute of Western Macedonia - one of the biggest in Greece (founded on 1976). Three of its Faculties are in the city - the Faculty of Administration and Economy, Technological Applications and Health. (The rest of them are in other places of West Macedonia). The seat of the University of Western Macedonia
and its Faculty of Engineering
, they are also in Kozani. The University
was founded in 2002.
Kozani carnival is one of the most important events in the region, taking place the end of the winter. The most interesting local celebration during the carnival
are the Fanoi (great bonfires), which are lit in the squares of Kozani. Around them, people sing and dance mainly scoptic songs and local dances, such as the best known song in the region - the Enteka
of Kozani, often called Kozani's "national anthem". All celebrations become more exciting on the Sunday of the last week, after the carnival parade, when bonfires are lit all over the town which burn until the early morning hours.
At the end of summer Lassaneia Events are organised. They consist of theatrical representations, concerts, athletic events etc. The name "Lassaneia" comes from Georgios Lassanis
, who was from Kozani and participated in the Greek War of Independence. A part of those events is also the new authors song festival "Nikolas Asimos
".
Niaimeros is a fair in the north of the city in the Niaimeros place. It takes place on the first Tuesday of October. It used to last 9 days (niaimeros = nine days), but now it lasts only 3 days.
Official local public holidays are the celebration for the liberation of the city from the Turks on 11th October and Saint Nicolas
day - Kozani's patron - on 6th December.
The municipal Band
is named Pandora. It was founded in 1902, and it takes part in all the events and celebrations.
and rice
in salty carbage-leaf, having the shape of an egg. It is used often as Christmas food. Kichi (Kozanitiko kichi) is called another local dish, which is actually a cheese pie
with circular-snail form.
Bristol, Connecticut
, USA, since November 2, 1987 Iaşi
, Romania
Toluca
, Mexico
Turgovishte, Bulgaria
, since 2002
|- style="background: #feffef;"
! colspan="2" |
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
|
{| cellpadding="0" style="margin: 5px auto; border:1px solid #aaaaaa; background-color:#f8f8f8; clear: both;"
|- align="center" style="font-size:120%;"
| || ||
|- align="center" style="font-size:120%;"
| ||
||
|- align="center" style="font-size:120%;"
| || ||
|}
|}
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
, capital of Kozani regional unit and of West Macedonia
West Macedonia
West Macedonia is one of the thirteen regions of Greece, consisting of the western part of Greek Macedonia. It is divided into the regional units of Florina, Grevena, Kastoria, and Kozani.-Geography:...
region. It is located in the western part of Macedonia
Macedonia (Greece)
Macedonia is a geographical and historical region of Greece in Southern Europe. Macedonia is the largest and second most populous Greek region...
, in the northern part of the Aliakmonas river valley. The city lies 710 meters above sea level, 15 kilometers north-west of the artificial lake Polyfytos, 120 km south-west of Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki , historically also known as Thessalonica, Salonika or Salonica, is the second-largest city in Greece and the capital of the region of Central Macedonia as well as the capital of the Decentralized Administration of Macedonia and Thrace...
, between the mountains Pieria
Pierian Mountains
The Pierian Mountains are a mountain range between Imathia, Pieria and Kozani Prefecture, south of the plain of Kambania in Central Macedonia. The village of Vergina, where the archaeological site of ancient Aigai lies, is built at the foot of these mountains...
, Vermio
Vermion Mountains
The Vermio Mountains is a mountain range between Imathia and Kozani Prefecture in west-central Macedonia. The range is west of the plain of Kambania. The town of Veria, which is the capital of Imathia prefecture, is built οn the foot of these mountains...
, Vourinos
Vourinos
Vourinos is a mountain range covering the eastern Grevena and southern Kozani prefectures in Greece. Its peaks stand over .The GR-20 is to the north and the Aliakmon river to the southeast. Its length is approximately from northwest to southeast and its width is approximately from southwest...
and Askio
Askio
Askio is a former municipality in Kozani peripheral unit, West Macedonia, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Voio, of which it is a municipal unit. Population 5,130 . The seat of the municipality was in Kaloneri. It was named after the Askio mountain...
. Its population is estimated at about 50,000. The climate of the area is continental with cold and dry winters, and hot summers.
Kozani is the home of the Technological Educational Institute of Western Macedonia and the University of Western Macedonia
University of Western Macedonia
Τhe University of Western Macedonia is a multi-campus university in Northwestern Greece. It was founded in 2002 in Kozani. On 1 January 2004, the University of Western Macedonia absorbed four departments that had previously formed part of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.Faculty of...
, with about 15,000 students from all over Greece and other places. It is also the seat of West Macedonia's court of appeal, police department, fire brigade, the seat of the 1st Army Corps of the Hellenic Army
Hellenic Army I Army Corps
-Structure:**I Army Corps , headquartered at Kozani, Macedonia consists of***VIII Infantry Division , based at Ioannina, Epirus organised in****HQ Company...
and of the Bishop of Servia and Kozani
Diocese of Servia and Kozani
The Holy Diocese of Servia and Kozani is an Orthodox Christian diocese located in West Macedonia, Greece, with the bishop's seat at Kozani. Its archdeaconries include the cities of Kozani, Aiani, Drepano, Krokos, Servia and Velvendos...
.
One of the most important aspects of local folklore
Folklore
Folklore consists of legends, music, oral history, proverbs, jokes, popular beliefs, fairy tales and customs that are the traditions of a culture, subculture, or group. It is also the set of practices through which those expressive genres are shared. The study of folklore is sometimes called...
is Kozani's carnival
Carnival
Carnaval is a festive season which occurs immediately before Lent; the main events are usually during February. Carnaval typically involves a public celebration or parade combining some elements of a circus, mask and public street party...
at the end of the winter, which retains much of the profanity
Profanity
Profanity is a show of disrespect, or a desecration or debasement of someone or something. Profanity can take the form of words, expressions, gestures, or other social behaviors that are socially constructed or interpreted as insulting, rude, vulgar, obscene, desecrating, or other forms.The...
of the ancient Dionysiac
Dionysus
Dionysus was the god of the grape harvest, winemaking and wine, of ritual madness and ecstasy in Greek mythology. His name in Linear B tablets shows he was worshipped from c. 1500—1100 BC by Mycenean Greeks: other traces of Dionysian-type cult have been found in ancient Minoan Crete...
cult. Kozani is renowned in Greece and abroad for the production of Saffron
Saffron
Saffron is a spice derived from the flower of Crocus sativus, commonly known as the saffron crocus. Crocus is a genus in the family Iridaceae. Each saffron crocus grows to and bears up to four flowers, each with three vivid crimson stigmas, which are each the distal end of a carpel...
(Krokos Kozanis), in the nearby town of Krokos
Krokos
Krokos is a small Greek town of 5.000 inhabitants, only 5 km south of the city of Kozani. It was the seat of the municipality of Elimeia. Krokos has a modern telecommunications infrastructure, including broadband internet availability by means of ADSL....
.
Kozani is a transport node between Central Macedonia
Central Macedonia
Central Macedonia is one of the thirteen regions of Greece, consisting of the central part of the region of Macedonia. With a population of over 1.8 million, it is the second most populous in Greece after Attica.- Administration :...
, Thessaly
Thessaly
Thessaly is a traditional geographical region and an administrative region of Greece, comprising most of the ancient region of the same name. Before the Greek Dark Ages, Thessaly was known as Aeolia, and appears thus in Homer's Odyssey....
and Epirus
Epirus (region)
Epirus is a geographical and historical region in southeastern Europe, shared between Greece and Albania. It lies between the Pindus Mountains and the Ionian Sea, stretching from the Bay of Vlorë in the north to the Ambracian Gulf in the south...
. The nearest airport is Filippos Airport, 4 km from the city, IATA code: KZI. The airport was first opened in the mid-20th century. Kozani is situated near the Egnatia Highway
Egnatia Odos (modern road)
Egnatia Odos is the Greek part of the European route. It is a motorway in Greece that extends from the western port of Igoumenitsa to the eastern Greek–Turkish border at Kipoi. It runs a total of...
, which connects the coast of the Ionian Sea with Thessaloniki and Turkish borders.
Etymology
Epirus
The name Epirus, from the Greek "Ήπειρος" meaning continent may refer to:-Geographical:* Epirus - a historical and geographical region of the southwestern Balkans, straddling modern Greece and Albania...
Kósdiani, the origin of settlers of Kozani in 1392. The settlement was first named Kózdiani, which then, it was changed into Kóziani, and in the end into Kozáni.
Another opinion is that the name "Kozani", derive from the slavic kožani < koža 'skin, leather'.
Antiquity
Antiquities from the prehistoric to the Byzantine period have been unearthed in many parts of the city. In the east part of Kozani, an ancient necropolisNecropolis
A necropolis is a large cemetery or burial ground, usually including structural tombs. The word comes from the Greek νεκρόπολις - nekropolis, literally meaning "city of the dead"...
has been found, dating to the early Iron Age
Iron Age
The Iron Age is the archaeological period generally occurring after the Bronze Age, marked by the prevalent use of iron. The early period of the age is characterized by the widespread use of iron or steel. The adoption of such material coincided with other changes in society, including differing...
. During Philip II of Macedon
Philip II of Macedon
Philip II of Macedon "friend" + ἵππος "horse" — transliterated ; 382 – 336 BC), was a king of Macedon from 359 BC until his assassination in 336 BC. He was the father of Alexander the Great and Philip III.-Biography:...
's reign, the region was named Elimeia
Elimiotis
Elimiotis or Elimeia or Elimaea was a region of Upper Macedonia that was located along the Haliacmon, north of Perrhaebia/Thessaly, west of Pieria, east of Parauaea, and south of Orestis. In earlier times, it was independent, but later was incorporated into the Argead kingdom of Macedon...
, which was part of Upper Macedonia
Upper Macedonia
Upper Macedonia is a geographical and tribal term to describe the regions that became part of the kingdom of Macedon in the early 4th century BC. From that date, its inhabitants were politically equal to Lower Macedonians...
. In the south-west of the modern city, on Siopoto hill, there was a settlement named Kalyvia, between 1100 and 1300, traces of which are still preserved.
Ottoman period
Kozani was probably founded by Christian settlers who, after the OttomanOttoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
conquest, withdrew from the plains of Macedonia
Macedonia (region)
Macedonia is a geographical and historical region of the Balkan peninsula in southeastern Europe. Its boundaries have changed considerably over time, but nowadays the region is considered to include parts of five Balkan countries: Greece, the Republic of Macedonia, Bulgaria, Albania, Serbia, as...
into the mountains, during the 14th and 15th centuries. Its secure position soon attracted other Christians expelled from Epirus
Epirus
The name Epirus, from the Greek "Ήπειρος" meaning continent may refer to:-Geographical:* Epirus - a historical and geographical region of the southwestern Balkans, straddling modern Greece and Albania...
, in 1392. Together with the settlers from Epirus, many cattle-breeders moved in the region.
The first recorded mention of Kozani is in an Ottoman register of 1528, as a settlement with 91 houses, 23 singles and 15 widows. One of the most important colonizers of Kozani was the chief shepherd Ioannis Trantas, who settled about 100 families. His son, Charisios Trantas, managed to obtain a Sultan's firman in 1664, according to the terms of which the town came under the protection of the Sultan's mother, was endowed with many privileges, and became forbidden for the Turks to settle in.
Library
In a traditional sense, a library is a large collection of books, and can refer to the place in which the collection is housed. Today, the term can refer to any collection, including digital sources, resources, and services...
and the famous school of Kozani were founded. During the 17th and 18th century, commercial relations with the countries of central Europe
Central Europe
Central Europe or alternatively Middle Europe is a region of the European continent lying between the variously defined areas of Eastern and Western Europe...
gave the opportunity for the city to flourish economically. During the 19th century, as foreign travellers relate, the population of the town was Greek, and was growing (Leake
William Martin Leake
William Martin Leake, FRS , British antiquarian and topographer, was born in London.After completing his education at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, and spending four years in the West Indies as lieutenant of marine artillery, he was sent by the government to Constantinople to instruct the...
1835:305 and Bouè
Boue
Boue may refer to:*Boué, a commune in the Aisne department of France*Ami Boué, an Austrian geologist...
1854:87).
The town's growth was disrupted in 1770, because of conflict that erupted between Kozani's local inhabitants and Kozanite merchants in central Europe, who contributed to the town's prosperity; even more catastrophically, the city was pillaged by Turkish bey
Bey
Bey is a title for chieftain, traditionally applied to the leaders of small tribal groups. Accoding to some sources, the word "Bey" is of Turkish language In historical accounts, many Turkish, other Turkic and Persian leaders are titled Bey, Beg, Bek, Bay, Baig or Beigh. They are all the same word...
s in 1770. A subsequent incursion by Aslan bey, in 1830, ravaged the city immensely. In 1855 next to St. Nicholas Church a 26 meters high bell tower was built, which would become the symbol of the city. In 1939 a clock will be placed on the top floor of the tower, donation of Greek American Konstantinos Mamatsios. According to the 1904 population census, 12,000 Greeks and 350 Vlachs
Vlachs
Vlach is a blanket term covering several modern Latin peoples descending from the Latinised population in Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe. English variations on the name include: Walla, Wlachs, Wallachs, Vlahs, Olahs or Ulahs...
were living in Kozani at the time.
Balkan wars
First Balkan War
The First Balkan War, which lasted from October 1912 to May 1913, pitted the Balkan League against the Ottoman Empire. The combined armies of the Balkan states overcame the numerically inferior and strategically disadvantaged Ottoman armies and achieved rapid success...
, after its victory against the Ottoman army in the Battle of Sarantaporo
Battle of Sarantaporo
The Battle of Sarantaporo, variously also transliterated as Sarantaporon or Sarandaporon took place on October 9-10 , 1912...
. By this time, the population of the town was 12,000 Orthodox
Eastern Orthodox Church
The Orthodox Church, officially called the Orthodox Catholic Church and commonly referred to as the Eastern Orthodox Church, is the second largest Christian denomination in the world, with an estimated 300 million adherents mainly in the countries of Belarus, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Georgia, Greece,...
Greeks
Greeks
The Greeks, also known as the Hellenes , are a nation and ethnic group native to Greece, Cyprus and neighboring regions. They also form a significant diaspora, with Greek communities established around the world....
. In 1923, during the population exchange between Greece and Turkey
Population exchange between Greece and Turkey
The 1923 population exchange between Greece and Turkey was based upon religious identity, and involved the Greek Orthodox citizens of Turkey and the Muslim citizens of Greece...
, about 1,400 Greek families from Pontus
Pontus
Pontus or Pontos is a historical Greek designation for a region on the southern coast of the Black Sea, located in modern-day northeastern Turkey. The name was applied to the coastal region in antiquity by the Greeks who colonized the area, and derived from the Greek name of the Black Sea: Πόντος...
and Asia Minor
Asia Minor
Asia Minor is a geographical location at the westernmost protrusion of Asia, also called Anatolia, and corresponds to the western two thirds of the Asian part of Turkey...
were settled in Kozani.
Modern times
In the 20th century, the city grew tremendously, as lignite reserves in the area started being used by Public Power Corporation, making Kozani the foremost producer of electrical power in Greece. An earthquakeEarthquake
An earthquake is the result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves. The seismicity, seismism or seismic activity of an area refers to the frequency, type and size of earthquakes experienced over a period of time...
that occurred in the region on 13 May 1995, with a magnitude of 6.6 on the Richter scale
Richter magnitude scale
The expression Richter magnitude scale refers to a number of ways to assign a single number to quantify the energy contained in an earthquake....
caused only property damage.
The city now combines modern with old architecture. Some magnificent buildings are the Clock tower
Clock tower
A clock tower is a tower specifically built with one or more clock faces. Clock towers can be either freestanding or part of a church or municipal building such as a town hall. Some clock towers are not true clock towers having had their clock faces added to an already existing building...
, the Townhall, the Folklore museum
Folklore Museum
Domestic, rural and traditional ways of life in the agrarian economy of the Maltese Islands are shown inside Folklore Museum, within the walls of the Citadel in Rabat, Gozo. A cluster of houses, which dates back to the very beginning of the 16th century hosts the museum till 1983...
, the "Valtadoreio" Gymnasium
Gymnasium (school)
A gymnasium is a type of school providing secondary education in some parts of Europe, comparable to English grammar schools or sixth form colleges and U.S. college preparatory high schools. The word γυμνάσιον was used in Ancient Greece, meaning a locality for both physical and intellectual...
, the National Bank
National bank
In banking, the term national bank carries several meanings:* especially in developing countries, a bank owned by the state* an ordinary private bank which operates nationally...
building, the "Ermioneion" Hotel
Hotel
A hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging on a short-term basis. The provision of basic accommodation, in times past, consisting only of a room with a bed, a cupboard, a small table and a washstand has largely been replaced by rooms with modern facilities, including en-suite bathrooms...
and the mansion
Mansion
A mansion is a very large dwelling house. U.S. real estate brokers define a mansion as a dwelling of over . A traditional European mansion was defined as a house which contained a ballroom and tens of bedrooms...
s of Georgios Lassanis
Georgios Lassanis
Georgios Lassanis was a scholar and politician from Kozani, Greece.He studied literature and philosophy in Leipzig, then, in 1818, moved to Odessa, where he taught at the Greek community's business school. In Russia he became a member of Filiki Eteria, a secret Greek organisation. In 1820, he...
and Grigorios Vourkas. The Municipal library
Library
In a traditional sense, a library is a large collection of books, and can refer to the place in which the collection is housed. Today, the term can refer to any collection, including digital sources, resources, and services...
of Kozani called "Kovendareios" is the second biggest in Greece, and it has 150,000 books, rare publications, valuable documents, and one of the rare copies of Rigas Feraios
Rigas Feraios
Rigas Feraios or Rigas Velestinlis was a Greek writer and revolutionary of Aromanian origin, active in the Modern Greek Enlightenment, remembered as a Greek national hero, a victim of Balkan uprising against the Ottoman Empire and a forerunner of the Greek War of Independence.-Early...
Charter
Charter
A charter is the grant of authority or rights, stating that the granter formally recognizes the prerogative of the recipient to exercise the rights specified...
. For this reason Kozani was included in the National Cultural Network of Cities with object the promotion of the Book and Reading. The Institute of Book and Reading was established and Kozani is now known as City of Books. Today Kozani is the administrative, commercial, economic, and transport centre of the region of West Macedonia
West Macedonia
West Macedonia is one of the thirteen regions of Greece, consisting of the western part of Greek Macedonia. It is divided into the regional units of Florina, Grevena, Kastoria, and Kozani.-Geography:...
.
Economy
The city is mostly known for its important contribution to the Greek electricityElectricity
Electricity is a general term encompassing a variety of phenomena resulting from the presence and flow of electric charge. These include many easily recognizable phenomena, such as lightning, static electricity, and the flow of electrical current in an electrical wire...
supply, and a large part of the population works in coal power plant (DEI - Greek national electrical company
Public Power Corporation
The Public Power Corporation S.A. is the biggest electric power company in Greece. It is controlled to an extent by the government, and it produces and supplies electricity to all the country.-History:PPC was founded by the Greek government in 1950...
). In the region, 80% of the electric energy of the country is produced. Other famous products are marble
Marble
Marble is a metamorphic rock composed of recrystallized carbonate minerals, most commonly calcite or dolomite.Geologists use the term "marble" to refer to metamorphosed limestone; however stonemasons use the term more broadly to encompass unmetamorphosed limestone.Marble is commonly used for...
, Saffron
Saffron
Saffron is a spice derived from the flower of Crocus sativus, commonly known as the saffron crocus. Crocus is a genus in the family Iridaceae. Each saffron crocus grows to and bears up to four flowers, each with three vivid crimson stigmas, which are each the distal end of a carpel...
, (Krokos
Krokos
Krokos is a small Greek town of 5.000 inhabitants, only 5 km south of the city of Kozani. It was the seat of the municipality of Elimeia. Krokos has a modern telecommunications infrastructure, including broadband internet availability by means of ADSL....
Kozanis), fruits, local wines and specialized arts and crafts industry. A lot of bank
Bank
A bank is a financial institution that serves as a financial intermediary. The term "bank" may refer to one of several related types of entities:...
s have branches
Branch (banking)
A branch, banking center or financial center is a retail location where a bank, credit union, or other financial institution offers a wide array of face-to-face and automated services to its customers....
in Kozani. The local bank is named Bank of West Macedonia.
The Commercial Exhibition of Kozani takes part in the Exhibition Centre of West Macedonia
West Macedonia
West Macedonia is one of the thirteen regions of Greece, consisting of the western part of Greek Macedonia. It is divided into the regional units of Florina, Grevena, Kastoria, and Kozani.-Geography:...
in Koila Kozanis
Kila, Kozani
Koila is a Municipal Department of the city of Kozani in northern Greece. It is located 4 km north of the center of the city, between Kozani and Via Egnatia. It consists of Koila and three other settlements: Kardia, Exochi and Melissia. The population is 1,490.The Technological Educational...
every September. Many firms from Greece and other Balkan countries participate, especially with local products.
Sites of interest
- The Kozani Archaeological Museum.
- The Historical - Folklore and Natural History Museum of Kozani is a place worth visiting. It is built according to old Macedonian architecture, and in its 6 floors, visitors can see everything about the geography, natural history, flora and animals of the region, as well as the history, the traditions and the past way of life in Kozani.
- The Kozani Museum of modern local historyMuseum of Modern Local History of KozaniMuseum of Modern Local History of Kozani is a museum in Kozani, Greece. It was founded in 2006....
- The Kozani Museum of the Macedonian StruggleMuseum of the Macedonian StruggleThe Museum for the Macedonian Struggle occupies a neo-classical building designed by the renowned architect Ernst Ziller and built in 1893. In its six ground-floor rooms the museum graphically illustrates the modern and contemporary history of Greek Macedonia. It presents the social, economic,...
, a museum dedicated to the history of the Macedonian StruggleGreek Struggle for MacedoniaThe Macedonian Struggle was a series of social, political, cultural and military conflicts between Greeks and Bulgarians in the region of Ottoman Macedonia between 1904 and 1908...
. - The clock towerClock towerA clock tower is a tower specifically built with one or more clock faces. Clock towers can be either freestanding or part of a church or municipal building such as a town hall. Some clock towers are not true clock towers having had their clock faces added to an already existing building...
and the church of Agios Nikolaos - 350 years old - in Nikis SquareNikis SquareNikis Square is Kozani's central square. It is approximately in the middle of the town, 470 km north-west from Athens, 120 km south-west from Thessaloniki. Koventaron street is to the north, Tsontza street is to the west, Eirinis avenue is to south and Pavlou Mela street is to the east.A...
. - Other attractions include the Grigorios Vourkas Mansion and the Georgios LassanisGeorgios LassanisGeorgios Lassanis was a scholar and politician from Kozani, Greece.He studied literature and philosophy in Leipzig, then, in 1818, moved to Odessa, where he taught at the Greek community's business school. In Russia he became a member of Filiki Eteria, a secret Greek organisation. In 1820, he...
Mansion. The second one lies in a central squarePlateiaPlateia 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...
, named Lassani Square and it is used as the Municipal Map Library. - The Municipal Park Kouri, the Park of Agios Dimitrios where you can see the Cultural CenterCultural centerA cultural center or cultural centre is an organization, building or complex that promotes culture and arts. Cultural centers can be neighborhood community arts organizations, private facilities, government-sponsored, or activist-run...
and the Municipal Theatre of Kozani, and the hill of Xenia with the nice view of all the city - The bridge above the lake of Polyfytos. It is the longest bridge in Greece and measures 1372 meters in length.
Mass media
There are some telecommunications companies, TV and radio stations, newspapers, magazines, and web portals based in Kozani. The television channels are West ChannelWest Channel
West Channel is a Greek local channel which broadcasts from the city of Kozani for the periphery of West Macedonia. It was created in April 1991 by the lawyer Papafilippou and the businessman and benefactor Zissis Dardali...
, TOP Channel
Top Channel
Top Channel is a commercial television station with national frequency coverage in Tirana, Albania founded by media mogul Dritan Hoxha, and part of Top Media Group. Since September 2003, Top Channel became present on satellite broadcasting all over Europe through DigitAlb, and North America through...
and Flash TV. Top-circulation newspapers include Chronos
Chronos
In Greek mythology, Chronos in pre-Socratic philosophical works is said to be the personification of time. His name in Greek means "time" and is alternatively spelled Chronus or Khronos.Chronos was imagined as an incorporeal god, serpentine in form, with three heads—those of a man, a bull, and...
, Grammi, Tharros
Tharros
Tharros was an ancient city on the west coast of Sardinia, Italy, and is currently an archaeological site near the village of San Giovanni di Sinis, municipality of Cabras, in the Province of Oristano...
and others.
Historical population
| Year | Town population | Municipality population |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 23,240 | - |
| 1981 | 31,120 | - |
| 1991 | 31,553 | 43,395 |
| 2001 | 38,591 | 49,812 |
Transport
Kozani is accessed with Motorway EgnatiaEgnatia Odos (modern road)
Egnatia Odos is the Greek part of the European route. It is a motorway in Greece that extends from the western port of Igoumenitsa to the eastern Greek–Turkish border at Kipoi. It runs a total of...
(or GR-2
Greek National Road 2
The National Road 2 in Greece is a single carriageway with at-grade intersections in the regions of Macedonia and Thrace. It is often confused with the A2 Egnatia Odos, which is a motorway/freeway and is similarly numbered as .Parts of the road belong to european route E86....
, or E90
European route E90
European route E 90 is an A-Class West-East European route, extending from Lisbon in Portugal in the west to the Turkish-Iraqi border in the east.-Itinerary:...
) from Ioannina
Ioannina
Ioannina , often called Jannena within Greece, is the largest city of Epirus, north-western Greece, with a population of 70,203 . It lies at an elevation of approximately 500 meters above sea level, on the western shore of lake Pamvotis . It is located within the Ioannina municipality, and is the...
and Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki , historically also known as Thessalonica, Salonika or Salonica, is the second-largest city in Greece and the capital of the region of Central Macedonia as well as the capital of the Decentralized Administration of Macedonia and Thrace...
, GR-3
Greek National Road 3
Greek National Road 3 begins from Eleusis and heads north, passing Larissa, Florina and terminates at the border with the Republic of Macedonia in Niki, which from there links with the M3. The road is part of the E65. In the late 1980s, motorway bypasses have been constructed for the towns...
(or E65
European route E65
European route E 65 is a north-south Class-A European route that begins in Malmö, Sweden and ends in Chaniá, Greece. The road is about in length.-Itinerary:* Sweden** E 65: Malmö – Ystad* Baltic sea, ferry Ystad-Świnoujście* Poland...
) from Larissa
Larissa
Larissa is the capital and biggest city of the Thessaly region of Greece and capital of the Larissa regional unit. It is a principal agricultural centre and a national transportation hub, linked by road and rail with the port of Volos, the city of Thessaloniki and Athens...
and Florina
Florina
Florina is a town and municipality in mountainous northwestern Macedonia, Greece. Its motto is, 'Where Greece begins'. It is also the Metropolitan seat for the region. It lies in the central part of Florina peripheral unit, of which it is the capital. Florina belongs to the periphery of West...
, GR-4
Greek National Road 4
Greek National Road 4 is a national highway of Greece. It passes through Kozani, Veria and Edessa....
and GR-20
Greek National Road 20
The Greek National Road 20 or the Diagoniki Odos? is a highway or route that links the city of Kozani and Ioannina via Siatista and Konitsa. The highway is entirely the E92 for its entire length...
.
- By busBusA bus is a road vehicle designed to carry passengers. Buses can have a capacity as high as 300 passengers. The most common type of bus is the single-decker bus, with larger loads carried by double-decker buses and articulated buses, and smaller loads carried by midibuses and minibuses; coaches are...
, (KTEL Kozanis) for all West Macedonian towns and for the biggest Greek cities AthensAthensAthens , 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...
(4 times/day - 470 km), ThessalonikiThessalonikiThessaloniki , historically also known as Thessalonica, Salonika or Salonica, is the second-largest city in Greece and the capital of the region of Central Macedonia as well as the capital of the Decentralized Administration of Macedonia and Thrace...
(every hour - 120 km), Larisa (120 km), VolosVolosVolos is a coastal port city in Thessaly situated midway on the Greek mainland, about 326 km north of Athens and 215 km south of Thessaloniki...
, IoanninaIoanninaIoannina , often called Jannena within Greece, is the largest city of Epirus, north-western Greece, with a population of 70,203 . It lies at an elevation of approximately 500 meters above sea level, on the western shore of lake Pamvotis . It is located within the Ioannina municipality, and is the...
(160 km), PatrasPatrasPatras , ) is Greece's third largest urban area and the regional capital of West Greece, located in northern Peloponnese, 215 kilometers west of Athens...
. - By aeroplaneFixed-wing aircraftA fixed-wing aircraft is an aircraft capable of flight using wings that generate lift due to the vehicle's forward airspeed. Fixed-wing aircraft are distinct from rotary-wing aircraft in which wings rotate about a fixed mast and ornithopters in which lift is generated by flapping wings.A powered...
(Sky ExpressSky Express (Greece)Sky Express is a regional airline based in Heraklion, Greece, primarily focused on scheduled flights between Heraklion and several smaller Aegean islands, avoiding transiting through Athens. Its main base is Heraklion International Airport...
), the city is connected with Athens and Kastoria from Filippos Airport which lies 3 km south-east of Kozani. - By railway (OSE) to ThessalonikiThessalonikiThessaloniki , historically also known as Thessalonica, Salonika or Salonica, is the second-largest city in Greece and the capital of the region of Central Macedonia as well as the capital of the Decentralized Administration of Macedonia and Thrace...
(Railway Line Kozani - Amyntaio).
The public transit in the city is provided by minibus
Minibus
A minibus or minicoach is a passenger carrying motor vehicle that is designed to carry more people than a multi-purpose vehicle or minivan, but fewer people than a full-size bus. In the United Kingdom, the word "minibus" is used to describe any full-sized passenger carrying van. Minibuses have a...
es, and between the centre and the municipal departments, it is provided by Transit bus
Transit bus
A transit bus , also known as a commuter bus, city bus, or public bus, is a bus used for short-distance public transport purposes...
es. The traffic
Traffic
Traffic on roads may consist of pedestrians, ridden or herded animals, vehicles, streetcars and other conveyances, either singly or together, while using the public way for purposes of travel...
problems of the city have become more severe during the last few years.
Government
| Municipal unit | Population |
|---|---|
| Kozani | 47,461 |
| Aiani Aiani Aiani or Kalliani is a town and a former municipality in the Kozani peripheral unit, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Kozani, of which it is a municipal unit. It lies 20 km south of Kozani city... |
3,816 |
| Dimitrios Ypsilantis Dimitrios Ypsilantis (municipality) Dimitrios Ypsilantis is a former municipality in Kozani peripheral unit, West Macedonia, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Kozani, of which it is a municipal unit. It was named after Demetrius Ypsilanti, a 19th century leader of the Greek struggle for... |
3,018 |
| Elimeia Elimeia Elimeia is a former municipality in Kozani peripheral unit, West Macedonia, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Kozani, of which it is a municipal unit. The population is 6,429 . The seat of the municipality was in Krokos... |
6,429 |
| Ellispontos Ellispontos Ellispontos is a former municipality in Kozani peripheral unit, West Macedonia, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Kozani, of which it is a municipal unit. The population is 7,966 . The seat of the municipality was in Koilada.... |
7,966 |
The total population is 68,680. It is developing into a nodal town of the Western Balkans, with areas and activities of a wider regional nature. Within this context, the municipality of Kozani is creating a modern satellite town, the Kozani Zone of Alternate Urban Planning (ZEP). The Municipal Corporation of alternate planning and development of Kozani S.A.(DEPEPOK) was established in order to implement the projects of the ZEP.
The ZEP is strategically located on 50 ha south-west of Kozani, and aims to become a model development centre, attracting an urban population and economic activities from throughout Western Macedonia in Greece and the Western Balkans.
Other known neighborhoods of Kozani are Sk'rka, Ipirotika, Gitia, Agios Athanasios, Platania.
Climate
The climate of the area is continental with cold and dry winters, and hot summers.| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg high temperature °C (°F) | 6 (43) | 8 (48) | 11 (53) | 17 (63) | 20 (69) | 25 (78) | 29 (85) | 27 (82) | 25 (77) | 18 (66) | 13 (56) | 6 (43) | 17 (64) |
| Highest Recorded Temperature °C (°F) | 18 (66) | 18 (66) | 21 (70) | 27 (81) | 30 (86) | 36 (97) | 37 (99) | 35 (95) | 31 (88) | 27 (81) | 25 (77) | 16 (61) | 37 (99) |
| Avg low temperature °C (°F) | -1 (29) | 0 (32) | 1 (34) | 6 (44) | 10 (50) | 13 (57) | 16 (62) | 16 (61) | 13 (56) | 8 (47) | 4 (40) | 0 (33) | 7 (45) |
| Lowest Recorded Temperature °C (°F) | -16 (3) | -8 (16) | -11 (12) | -5 (23) | 2 (37) | 7 (46) | 11 (52) | 7 (45) | 7 (45) | -2 (28) | -5 (23) | -12 (9) | -16 (3) |
| Source: Weatherbase | |||||||||||||
Education
Gymnasium (school)
A gymnasium is a type of school providing secondary education in some parts of Europe, comparable to English grammar schools or sixth form colleges and U.S. college preparatory high schools. The word γυμνάσιον was used in Ancient Greece, meaning a locality for both physical and intellectual...
of the city are 8, and there are two more in the municipal departments of Lefkopigi and Xirolimni. There are also 4 Lyceum
Lyceum
The lyceum is a category of educational institution defined within the education system of many countries, mainly in Europe. The definition varies between countries; usually it is a type of secondary school.-History:...
s, 4 Technical Schools (TEE), some Business Schools and one municipal Odeum.
Kozani is the home of the Technological Educational Institute of Western Macedonia - one of the biggest in Greece (founded on 1976). Three of its Faculties are in the city - the Faculty of Administration and Economy, Technological Applications and Health. (The rest of them are in other places of West Macedonia). The seat of the University of Western Macedonia
University of Western Macedonia
Τhe University of Western Macedonia is a multi-campus university in Northwestern Greece. It was founded in 2002 in Kozani. On 1 January 2004, the University of Western Macedonia absorbed four departments that had previously formed part of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.Faculty of...
and its Faculty of Engineering
Engineering
Engineering is the discipline, art, skill and profession of acquiring and applying scientific, mathematical, economic, social, and practical knowledge, in order to design and build structures, machines, devices, systems, materials and processes that safely realize improvements to the lives of...
, they are also in Kozani. The University
University
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
was founded in 2002.
Festivals and events
Carnival
Carnaval is a festive season which occurs immediately before Lent; the main events are usually during February. Carnaval typically involves a public celebration or parade combining some elements of a circus, mask and public street party...
are the Fanoi (great bonfires), which are lit in the squares of Kozani. Around them, people sing and dance mainly scoptic songs and local dances, such as the best known song in the region - the Enteka
Makedonikos antikristos
Makedonikos antikristos is a dance from Macedonia in Greece. It means "face to face dance from Macedonia", and it is danced by two people, usually by a man and a woman. It is mainly danced in the western side of Macedonia in the city of Kozani....
of Kozani, often called Kozani's "national anthem". All celebrations become more exciting on the Sunday of the last week, after the carnival parade, when bonfires are lit all over the town which burn until the early morning hours.
At the end of summer Lassaneia Events are organised. They consist of theatrical representations, concerts, athletic events etc. The name "Lassaneia" comes from Georgios Lassanis
Georgios Lassanis
Georgios Lassanis was a scholar and politician from Kozani, Greece.He studied literature and philosophy in Leipzig, then, in 1818, moved to Odessa, where he taught at the Greek community's business school. In Russia he became a member of Filiki Eteria, a secret Greek organisation. In 1820, he...
, who was from Kozani and participated in the Greek War of Independence. A part of those events is also the new authors song festival "Nikolas Asimos
Nikolas Asimos
Nikolas Asimos was a Greek composer and singer. His real surname was Asimopoulos . Asimos was a very special case of a counter-culture artist, mostly because of his choice of lifestyle. His behaviour and songs were often received as provocatory by the general public. He was a person with strong...
".
Niaimeros is a fair in the north of the city in the Niaimeros place. It takes place on the first Tuesday of October. It used to last 9 days (niaimeros = nine days), but now it lasts only 3 days.
Official local public holidays are the celebration for the liberation of the city from the Turks on 11th October and Saint Nicolas
Saint Nicolas
Saint-Nicolas may refer to the following places:-In Belgium:*Saint-Nicolas, Belgium, in the Province of Liège*The French name for Sint-Niklaas, in Province of East Flanders-In France:*Saint-Nicolas, Pas-de-Calais...
day - Kozani's patron - on 6th December.
The municipal Band
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
is named Pandora. It was founded in 1902, and it takes part in all the events and celebrations.
Cuisine
A typical dish in Kozani is the so called Giaprakia. The main ingredients are meatMeat
Meat is animal flesh that is used as food. Most often, this means the skeletal muscle and associated fat and other tissues, but it may also describe other edible tissues such as organs and offal...
and rice
Rice
Rice is the seed of the monocot plants Oryza sativa or Oryza glaberrima . As a cereal grain, it is the most important staple food for a large part of the world's human population, especially in East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and the West Indies...
in salty carbage-leaf, having the shape of an egg. It is used often as Christmas food. Kichi (Kozanitiko kichi) is called another local dish, which is actually a cheese pie
Pie
A pie is a baked dish which is usually made of a pastry dough casing that covers or completely contains a filling of various sweet or savoury ingredients....
with circular-snail form.
Notable people
- Ioannis Amanatidis, (1981–present) footballerFootball (soccer)Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
- Nikolas AsimosNikolas AsimosNikolas Asimos was a Greek composer and singer. His real surname was Asimopoulos . Asimos was a very special case of a counter-culture artist, mostly because of his choice of lifestyle. His behaviour and songs were often received as provocatory by the general public. He was a person with strong...
, (1949–1988) composerComposerA composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
and singer - Elias AtmatsidisElias AtmatsidisElias Atmatsidis is a former Greek football goalkeeper.Atmatsidis played most of his career for AEK Athens FC...
, (1969–present)Football goalkeeper - Evripidis Bakirtzis, (1895–1947), politicianPoliticianA politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
- Panayiotis Demopoulos, (1977–present) composerComposerA composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
and pianistPianistA pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:... - Anna DiamantopoulouAnna DiamantopoulouAnna Diamantopoulou , is a Member of Parliament in Greece for the party of the Panhellenic Socialist Movement and the current Minister for Education, Lifelong Learning and Religious Affairs in Greece...
, (1959–present) politicianPoliticianA politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
, former EU Commissioner, for Employment and Social AffairsEuropean Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs & Equal OpportunitiesThe Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion is the member of the European Commission. The current commissioner is László Andor....
, in the Prodi CommissionProdi CommissionThe Prodi Commission was the European Commission in office between 1999 and 2004. The administration was led by former Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi.-History:... - Foulidis EleftheriosFoulidis EleftheriosEleftherios Foulidis, is a Greek iconographer, born in Drepano, Kozani. He took his first impressions and practical Art lessons from his father Theofilos, who was a stage designer for the National Theatre of North Greece. Since then Mr...
, Iconographer - Georg Johannes Karajanis, great-great-grandfather of conductorConductingConducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
Herbert von KarajanHerbert von KarajanHerbert von Karajan was an Austrian orchestra and opera conductor. To the wider world he was perhaps most famously associated with the Berlin Philharmonic, of which he was principal conductor for 35 years... - Georgios LassanisGeorgios LassanisGeorgios Lassanis was a scholar and politician from Kozani, Greece.He studied literature and philosophy in Leipzig, then, in 1818, moved to Odessa, where he taught at the Greek community's business school. In Russia he became a member of Filiki Eteria, a secret Greek organisation. In 1820, he...
, (1793–1870) scholar and politicianPoliticianA politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making... - Michalis PapakonstantinouMichalis PapakonstantinouMichalis Papakonstantinou was a Greek politician and author. He studied law at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Papakonstantinou served as the Minister for Foreign Affairs from August 7, 1992, until October 13, 1993, as a member of the New Democracy Party.He regularly wrote as a...
, (1919–2010), author and Minister for Foreign AffairsMinister for Foreign Affairs (Greece)The Minister for Foreign Affairs is the senior minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Greece, established on 3 April 1833. The current Minister for Foreign Affairs, since 11 November 2011 is the former European Commissioner Stavros Dimas...
(1992–1993) - Giorgos PapakonstantinouGiorgos PapakonstantinouGiorgos Papakonstantinou , born October 30, 1961 in Athens, Greece, is a Greek economist and politician and the current Minister for the Environment, Energy and Climate Change of Greece, formerly Minister for Finance. He is a member of the Panhellenic Socialist Movement.-Education and career:He...
, Minister for Finance of Greece - Georgios ParakeimenosGeorgios ParakeimenosGeorgios Parakeimenos was a Physician and preacher. He was born in Kozani and later he went and studied medicine and philosophy at Padua. He was director of the Kozani school from 1694 to 1707.*List of Macedonians - External links :*...
, educator - Georgios SakellariosGeorgios SakellariosGeorgios Sakellarios was a chief physician at the court of Ali Pasha.He was born in Kozani and studied German and French and also Philosophy in Hungary. In addition to his post at the court, he was an associate of Rigas Ferraios and Perraivos....
, (1765–1838) educator - Ieroklis StoltidisIeroklis StoltidisIeroklis Stoltidis , also known as "Iéro", is a retired Greek footballer, who played as a defensive midfielder. He's well known as a passionate, determined anchorman with tremendous mental and physical courage....
, (1975–present) footballer - Ioannis TopalidisIoannis TopalidisIoannis Topalidis is a former Greek football player and was last the assistant manager of the Greek national football team.-Career:He spent most of his football career in Germany where he played for clubs such as SpVgg Ludwigsburg, VfR Bürstadt and Starkenburgia Heppenheim in the German 3rd...
, (1962–present), former Greek football player, assistant manager of the Greek national football team. - Chrisanthos TheodoridisChrisanthosChrysanthos Theodoridis or simply Chrysanthos was a singer and songwriter from Pontus, though he also lived in Thessaloniki for many years. He was born Chrisanthos Theodoridis in Oinoi of Kozani and he wrote several songs from and for Pontus. He became a symbol for the people from Pontus worldwide...
, (1934–2005) singer-songwriter, was born in Kozani - Kalliopi Vetta, singer
Twinnings
Bristol, Connecticut
Bristol is a suburban city located in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States southwest of Hartford. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 61,353. Bristol is primarily known as the home of ESPN, whose central studios are in the city. Bristol is also home to...
, USA, since November 2, 1987 Iaşi
Iasi
Iași is the second most populous city and a municipality in Romania. Located in the historical Moldavia region, Iași has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Romanian social, cultural, academic and artistic life...
, Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
Toluca
Toluca
Toluca, formally known as Toluca de Lerdo, is the state capital of Mexico State as well as the seat of the Municipality of Toluca. It is the center of a rapidly growing urban area, now the fifth largest in Mexico. It is located west-southwest of Mexico City and only about 40 minutes by car to the...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
Turgovishte, Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
, since 2002
Location
{|Kozani is a city in northern Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
, capital of Kozani regional unit and of West Macedonia
West Macedonia
West Macedonia is one of the thirteen regions of Greece, consisting of the western part of Greek Macedonia. It is divided into the regional units of Florina, Grevena, Kastoria, and Kozani.-Geography:...
region. It is located in the western part of Macedonia
Macedonia (Greece)
Macedonia is a geographical and historical region of Greece in Southern Europe. Macedonia is the largest and second most populous Greek region...
, in the northern part of the Aliakmonas river valley. The city lies 710 meters above sea level, 15 kilometers north-west of the artificial lake Polyfytos, 120 km south-west of Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki , historically also known as Thessalonica, Salonika or Salonica, is the second-largest city in Greece and the capital of the region of Central Macedonia as well as the capital of the Decentralized Administration of Macedonia and Thrace...
, between the mountains Pieria
Pierian Mountains
The Pierian Mountains are a mountain range between Imathia, Pieria and Kozani Prefecture, south of the plain of Kambania in Central Macedonia. The village of Vergina, where the archaeological site of ancient Aigai lies, is built at the foot of these mountains...
, Vermio
Vermion Mountains
The Vermio Mountains is a mountain range between Imathia and Kozani Prefecture in west-central Macedonia. The range is west of the plain of Kambania. The town of Veria, which is the capital of Imathia prefecture, is built οn the foot of these mountains...
, Vourinos
Vourinos
Vourinos is a mountain range covering the eastern Grevena and southern Kozani prefectures in Greece. Its peaks stand over .The GR-20 is to the north and the Aliakmon river to the southeast. Its length is approximately from northwest to southeast and its width is approximately from southwest...
and Askio
Askio
Askio is a former municipality in Kozani peripheral unit, West Macedonia, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Voio, of which it is a municipal unit. Population 5,130 . The seat of the municipality was in Kaloneri. It was named after the Askio mountain...
. Its population is estimated at about 50,000. The climate of the area is continental with cold and dry winters, and hot summers.
Kozani is the home of the Technological Educational Institute of Western Macedonia and the University of Western Macedonia
University of Western Macedonia
Τhe University of Western Macedonia is a multi-campus university in Northwestern Greece. It was founded in 2002 in Kozani. On 1 January 2004, the University of Western Macedonia absorbed four departments that had previously formed part of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.Faculty of...
, with about 15,000 students from all over Greece and other places. It is also the seat of West Macedonia's court of appeal, police department, fire brigade, the seat of the 1st Army Corps of the Hellenic Army
Hellenic Army I Army Corps
-Structure:**I Army Corps , headquartered at Kozani, Macedonia consists of***VIII Infantry Division , based at Ioannina, Epirus organised in****HQ Company...
and of the Bishop of Servia and Kozani
Diocese of Servia and Kozani
The Holy Diocese of Servia and Kozani is an Orthodox Christian diocese located in West Macedonia, Greece, with the bishop's seat at Kozani. Its archdeaconries include the cities of Kozani, Aiani, Drepano, Krokos, Servia and Velvendos...
.
One of the most important aspects of local folklore
Folklore
Folklore consists of legends, music, oral history, proverbs, jokes, popular beliefs, fairy tales and customs that are the traditions of a culture, subculture, or group. It is also the set of practices through which those expressive genres are shared. The study of folklore is sometimes called...
is Kozani's carnival
Carnival
Carnaval is a festive season which occurs immediately before Lent; the main events are usually during February. Carnaval typically involves a public celebration or parade combining some elements of a circus, mask and public street party...
at the end of the winter, which retains much of the profanity
Profanity
Profanity is a show of disrespect, or a desecration or debasement of someone or something. Profanity can take the form of words, expressions, gestures, or other social behaviors that are socially constructed or interpreted as insulting, rude, vulgar, obscene, desecrating, or other forms.The...
of the ancient Dionysiac
Dionysus
Dionysus was the god of the grape harvest, winemaking and wine, of ritual madness and ecstasy in Greek mythology. His name in Linear B tablets shows he was worshipped from c. 1500—1100 BC by Mycenean Greeks: other traces of Dionysian-type cult have been found in ancient Minoan Crete...
cult. Kozani is renowned in Greece and abroad for the production of Saffron
Saffron
Saffron is a spice derived from the flower of Crocus sativus, commonly known as the saffron crocus. Crocus is a genus in the family Iridaceae. Each saffron crocus grows to and bears up to four flowers, each with three vivid crimson stigmas, which are each the distal end of a carpel...
(Krokos Kozanis), in the nearby town of Krokos
Krokos
Krokos is a small Greek town of 5.000 inhabitants, only 5 km south of the city of Kozani. It was the seat of the municipality of Elimeia. Krokos has a modern telecommunications infrastructure, including broadband internet availability by means of ADSL....
.
Kozani is a transport node between Central Macedonia
Central Macedonia
Central Macedonia is one of the thirteen regions of Greece, consisting of the central part of the region of Macedonia. With a population of over 1.8 million, it is the second most populous in Greece after Attica.- Administration :...
, Thessaly
Thessaly
Thessaly is a traditional geographical region and an administrative region of Greece, comprising most of the ancient region of the same name. Before the Greek Dark Ages, Thessaly was known as Aeolia, and appears thus in Homer's Odyssey....
and Epirus
Epirus (region)
Epirus is a geographical and historical region in southeastern Europe, shared between Greece and Albania. It lies between the Pindus Mountains and the Ionian Sea, stretching from the Bay of Vlorë in the north to the Ambracian Gulf in the south...
. The nearest airport is Filippos Airport, 4 km from the city, IATA code: KZI. The airport was first opened in the mid-20th century. Kozani is situated near the Egnatia Highway
Egnatia Odos (modern road)
Egnatia Odos is the Greek part of the European route. It is a motorway in Greece that extends from the western port of Igoumenitsa to the eastern Greek–Turkish border at Kipoi. It runs a total of...
, which connects the coast of the Ionian Sea with Thessaloniki and Turkish borders.
Etymology
Epirus
The name Epirus, from the Greek "Ήπειρος" meaning continent may refer to:-Geographical:* Epirus - a historical and geographical region of the southwestern Balkans, straddling modern Greece and Albania...
Kósdiani, the origin of settlers of Kozani in 1392. The settlement was first named Kózdiani, which then, it was changed into Kóziani, and in the end into Kozáni.
Another opinion is that the name "Kozani", derive from the slavic kožani < koža 'skin, leather'.
Antiquity
Antiquities from the prehistoric to the Byzantine period have been unearthed in many parts of the city. In the east part of Kozani, an ancient necropolisNecropolis
A necropolis is a large cemetery or burial ground, usually including structural tombs. The word comes from the Greek νεκρόπολις - nekropolis, literally meaning "city of the dead"...
has been found, dating to the early Iron Age
Iron Age
The Iron Age is the archaeological period generally occurring after the Bronze Age, marked by the prevalent use of iron. The early period of the age is characterized by the widespread use of iron or steel. The adoption of such material coincided with other changes in society, including differing...
. During Philip II of Macedon
Philip II of Macedon
Philip II of Macedon "friend" + ἵππος "horse" — transliterated ; 382 – 336 BC), was a king of Macedon from 359 BC until his assassination in 336 BC. He was the father of Alexander the Great and Philip III.-Biography:...
's reign, the region was named Elimeia
Elimiotis
Elimiotis or Elimeia or Elimaea was a region of Upper Macedonia that was located along the Haliacmon, north of Perrhaebia/Thessaly, west of Pieria, east of Parauaea, and south of Orestis. In earlier times, it was independent, but later was incorporated into the Argead kingdom of Macedon...
, which was part of Upper Macedonia
Upper Macedonia
Upper Macedonia is a geographical and tribal term to describe the regions that became part of the kingdom of Macedon in the early 4th century BC. From that date, its inhabitants were politically equal to Lower Macedonians...
. In the south-west of the modern city, on Siopoto hill, there was a settlement named Kalyvia, between 1100 and 1300, traces of which are still preserved.
Ottoman period
Kozani was probably founded by Christian settlers who, after the OttomanOttoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
conquest, withdrew from the plains of Macedonia
Macedonia (region)
Macedonia is a geographical and historical region of the Balkan peninsula in southeastern Europe. Its boundaries have changed considerably over time, but nowadays the region is considered to include parts of five Balkan countries: Greece, the Republic of Macedonia, Bulgaria, Albania, Serbia, as...
into the mountains, during the 14th and 15th centuries. Its secure position soon attracted other Christians expelled from Epirus
Epirus
The name Epirus, from the Greek "Ήπειρος" meaning continent may refer to:-Geographical:* Epirus - a historical and geographical region of the southwestern Balkans, straddling modern Greece and Albania...
, in 1392. Together with the settlers from Epirus, many cattle-breeders moved in the region.
The first recorded mention of Kozani is in an Ottoman register of 1528, as a settlement with 91 houses, 23 singles and 15 widows. One of the most important colonizers of Kozani was the chief shepherd Ioannis Trantas, who settled about 100 families. His son, Charisios Trantas, managed to obtain a Sultan's firman in 1664, according to the terms of which the town came under the protection of the Sultan's mother, was endowed with many privileges, and became forbidden for the Turks to settle in.
Library
In a traditional sense, a library is a large collection of books, and can refer to the place in which the collection is housed. Today, the term can refer to any collection, including digital sources, resources, and services...
and the famous school of Kozani were founded. During the 17th and 18th century, commercial relations with the countries of central Europe
Central Europe
Central Europe or alternatively Middle Europe is a region of the European continent lying between the variously defined areas of Eastern and Western Europe...
gave the opportunity for the city to flourish economically. During the 19th century, as foreign travellers relate, the population of the town was Greek, and was growing (Leake
William Martin Leake
William Martin Leake, FRS , British antiquarian and topographer, was born in London.After completing his education at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, and spending four years in the West Indies as lieutenant of marine artillery, he was sent by the government to Constantinople to instruct the...
1835:305 and Bouè
Boue
Boue may refer to:*Boué, a commune in the Aisne department of France*Ami Boué, an Austrian geologist...
1854:87).
The town's growth was disrupted in 1770, because of conflict that erupted between Kozani's local inhabitants and Kozanite merchants in central Europe, who contributed to the town's prosperity; even more catastrophically, the city was pillaged by Turkish bey
Bey
Bey is a title for chieftain, traditionally applied to the leaders of small tribal groups. Accoding to some sources, the word "Bey" is of Turkish language In historical accounts, many Turkish, other Turkic and Persian leaders are titled Bey, Beg, Bek, Bay, Baig or Beigh. They are all the same word...
s in 1770. A subsequent incursion by Aslan bey, in 1830, ravaged the city immensely. In 1855 next to St. Nicholas Church a 26 meters high bell tower was built, which would become the symbol of the city. In 1939 a clock will be placed on the top floor of the tower, donation of Greek American Konstantinos Mamatsios. According to the 1904 population census, 12,000 Greeks and 350 Vlachs
Vlachs
Vlach is a blanket term covering several modern Latin peoples descending from the Latinised population in Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe. English variations on the name include: Walla, Wlachs, Wallachs, Vlahs, Olahs or Ulahs...
were living in Kozani at the time.
Balkan wars
First Balkan War
The First Balkan War, which lasted from October 1912 to May 1913, pitted the Balkan League against the Ottoman Empire. The combined armies of the Balkan states overcame the numerically inferior and strategically disadvantaged Ottoman armies and achieved rapid success...
, after its victory against the Ottoman army in the Battle of Sarantaporo
Battle of Sarantaporo
The Battle of Sarantaporo, variously also transliterated as Sarantaporon or Sarandaporon took place on October 9-10 , 1912...
. By this time, the population of the town was 12,000 Orthodox
Eastern Orthodox Church
The Orthodox Church, officially called the Orthodox Catholic Church and commonly referred to as the Eastern Orthodox Church, is the second largest Christian denomination in the world, with an estimated 300 million adherents mainly in the countries of Belarus, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Georgia, Greece,...
Greeks
Greeks
The Greeks, also known as the Hellenes , are a nation and ethnic group native to Greece, Cyprus and neighboring regions. They also form a significant diaspora, with Greek communities established around the world....
. In 1923, during the population exchange between Greece and Turkey
Population exchange between Greece and Turkey
The 1923 population exchange between Greece and Turkey was based upon religious identity, and involved the Greek Orthodox citizens of Turkey and the Muslim citizens of Greece...
, about 1,400 Greek families from Pontus
Pontus
Pontus or Pontos is a historical Greek designation for a region on the southern coast of the Black Sea, located in modern-day northeastern Turkey. The name was applied to the coastal region in antiquity by the Greeks who colonized the area, and derived from the Greek name of the Black Sea: Πόντος...
and Asia Minor
Asia Minor
Asia Minor is a geographical location at the westernmost protrusion of Asia, also called Anatolia, and corresponds to the western two thirds of the Asian part of Turkey...
were settled in Kozani.
Modern times
In the 20th century, the city grew tremendously, as lignite reserves in the area started being used by Public Power Corporation, making Kozani the foremost producer of electrical power in Greece. An earthquakeEarthquake
An earthquake is the result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves. The seismicity, seismism or seismic activity of an area refers to the frequency, type and size of earthquakes experienced over a period of time...
that occurred in the region on 13 May 1995, with a magnitude of 6.6 on the Richter scale
Richter magnitude scale
The expression Richter magnitude scale refers to a number of ways to assign a single number to quantify the energy contained in an earthquake....
caused only property damage.
The city now combines modern with old architecture. Some magnificent buildings are the Clock tower
Clock tower
A clock tower is a tower specifically built with one or more clock faces. Clock towers can be either freestanding or part of a church or municipal building such as a town hall. Some clock towers are not true clock towers having had their clock faces added to an already existing building...
, the Townhall, the Folklore museum
Folklore Museum
Domestic, rural and traditional ways of life in the agrarian economy of the Maltese Islands are shown inside Folklore Museum, within the walls of the Citadel in Rabat, Gozo. A cluster of houses, which dates back to the very beginning of the 16th century hosts the museum till 1983...
, the "Valtadoreio" Gymnasium
Gymnasium (school)
A gymnasium is a type of school providing secondary education in some parts of Europe, comparable to English grammar schools or sixth form colleges and U.S. college preparatory high schools. The word γυμνάσιον was used in Ancient Greece, meaning a locality for both physical and intellectual...
, the National Bank
National bank
In banking, the term national bank carries several meanings:* especially in developing countries, a bank owned by the state* an ordinary private bank which operates nationally...
building, the "Ermioneion" Hotel
Hotel
A hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging on a short-term basis. The provision of basic accommodation, in times past, consisting only of a room with a bed, a cupboard, a small table and a washstand has largely been replaced by rooms with modern facilities, including en-suite bathrooms...
and the mansion
Mansion
A mansion is a very large dwelling house. U.S. real estate brokers define a mansion as a dwelling of over . A traditional European mansion was defined as a house which contained a ballroom and tens of bedrooms...
s of Georgios Lassanis
Georgios Lassanis
Georgios Lassanis was a scholar and politician from Kozani, Greece.He studied literature and philosophy in Leipzig, then, in 1818, moved to Odessa, where he taught at the Greek community's business school. In Russia he became a member of Filiki Eteria, a secret Greek organisation. In 1820, he...
and Grigorios Vourkas. The Municipal library
Library
In a traditional sense, a library is a large collection of books, and can refer to the place in which the collection is housed. Today, the term can refer to any collection, including digital sources, resources, and services...
of Kozani called "Kovendareios" is the second biggest in Greece, and it has 150,000 books, rare publications, valuable documents, and one of the rare copies of Rigas Feraios
Rigas Feraios
Rigas Feraios or Rigas Velestinlis was a Greek writer and revolutionary of Aromanian origin, active in the Modern Greek Enlightenment, remembered as a Greek national hero, a victim of Balkan uprising against the Ottoman Empire and a forerunner of the Greek War of Independence.-Early...
Charter
Charter
A charter is the grant of authority or rights, stating that the granter formally recognizes the prerogative of the recipient to exercise the rights specified...
. For this reason Kozani was included in the National Cultural Network of Cities with object the promotion of the Book and Reading. The Institute of Book and Reading was established and Kozani is now known as City of Books. Today Kozani is the administrative, commercial, economic, and transport centre of the region of West Macedonia
West Macedonia
West Macedonia is one of the thirteen regions of Greece, consisting of the western part of Greek Macedonia. It is divided into the regional units of Florina, Grevena, Kastoria, and Kozani.-Geography:...
.
Economy
The city is mostly known for its important contribution to the Greek electricityElectricity
Electricity is a general term encompassing a variety of phenomena resulting from the presence and flow of electric charge. These include many easily recognizable phenomena, such as lightning, static electricity, and the flow of electrical current in an electrical wire...
supply, and a large part of the population works in coal power plant (DEI - Greek national electrical company
Public Power Corporation
The Public Power Corporation S.A. is the biggest electric power company in Greece. It is controlled to an extent by the government, and it produces and supplies electricity to all the country.-History:PPC was founded by the Greek government in 1950...
). In the region, 80% of the electric energy of the country is produced. Other famous products are marble
Marble
Marble is a metamorphic rock composed of recrystallized carbonate minerals, most commonly calcite or dolomite.Geologists use the term "marble" to refer to metamorphosed limestone; however stonemasons use the term more broadly to encompass unmetamorphosed limestone.Marble is commonly used for...
, Saffron
Saffron
Saffron is a spice derived from the flower of Crocus sativus, commonly known as the saffron crocus. Crocus is a genus in the family Iridaceae. Each saffron crocus grows to and bears up to four flowers, each with three vivid crimson stigmas, which are each the distal end of a carpel...
, (Krokos
Krokos
Krokos is a small Greek town of 5.000 inhabitants, only 5 km south of the city of Kozani. It was the seat of the municipality of Elimeia. Krokos has a modern telecommunications infrastructure, including broadband internet availability by means of ADSL....
Kozanis), fruits, local wines and specialized arts and crafts industry. A lot of bank
Bank
A bank is a financial institution that serves as a financial intermediary. The term "bank" may refer to one of several related types of entities:...
s have branches
Branch (banking)
A branch, banking center or financial center is a retail location where a bank, credit union, or other financial institution offers a wide array of face-to-face and automated services to its customers....
in Kozani. The local bank is named Bank of West Macedonia.
The Commercial Exhibition of Kozani takes part in the Exhibition Centre of West Macedonia
West Macedonia
West Macedonia is one of the thirteen regions of Greece, consisting of the western part of Greek Macedonia. It is divided into the regional units of Florina, Grevena, Kastoria, and Kozani.-Geography:...
in Koila Kozanis
Kila, Kozani
Koila is a Municipal Department of the city of Kozani in northern Greece. It is located 4 km north of the center of the city, between Kozani and Via Egnatia. It consists of Koila and three other settlements: Kardia, Exochi and Melissia. The population is 1,490.The Technological Educational...
every September. Many firms from Greece and other Balkan countries participate, especially with local products.
Sites of interest
- The Kozani Archaeological Museum.
- The Historical - Folklore and Natural History Museum of Kozani is a place worth visiting. It is built according to old Macedonian architecture, and in its 6 floors, visitors can see everything about the geography, natural history, flora and animals of the region, as well as the history, the traditions and the past way of life in Kozani.
- The Kozani Museum of modern local historyMuseum of Modern Local History of KozaniMuseum of Modern Local History of Kozani is a museum in Kozani, Greece. It was founded in 2006....
- The Kozani Museum of the Macedonian StruggleMuseum of the Macedonian StruggleThe Museum for the Macedonian Struggle occupies a neo-classical building designed by the renowned architect Ernst Ziller and built in 1893. In its six ground-floor rooms the museum graphically illustrates the modern and contemporary history of Greek Macedonia. It presents the social, economic,...
, a museum dedicated to the history of the Macedonian StruggleGreek Struggle for MacedoniaThe Macedonian Struggle was a series of social, political, cultural and military conflicts between Greeks and Bulgarians in the region of Ottoman Macedonia between 1904 and 1908...
. - The clock towerClock towerA clock tower is a tower specifically built with one or more clock faces. Clock towers can be either freestanding or part of a church or municipal building such as a town hall. Some clock towers are not true clock towers having had their clock faces added to an already existing building...
and the church of Agios Nikolaos - 350 years old - in Nikis SquareNikis SquareNikis Square is Kozani's central square. It is approximately in the middle of the town, 470 km north-west from Athens, 120 km south-west from Thessaloniki. Koventaron street is to the north, Tsontza street is to the west, Eirinis avenue is to south and Pavlou Mela street is to the east.A...
. - Other attractions include the Grigorios Vourkas Mansion and the Georgios LassanisGeorgios LassanisGeorgios Lassanis was a scholar and politician from Kozani, Greece.He studied literature and philosophy in Leipzig, then, in 1818, moved to Odessa, where he taught at the Greek community's business school. In Russia he became a member of Filiki Eteria, a secret Greek organisation. In 1820, he...
Mansion. The second one lies in a central squarePlateiaPlateia 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...
, named Lassani Square and it is used as the Municipal Map Library. - The Municipal Park Kouri, the Park of Agios Dimitrios where you can see the Cultural CenterCultural centerA cultural center or cultural centre is an organization, building or complex that promotes culture and arts. Cultural centers can be neighborhood community arts organizations, private facilities, government-sponsored, or activist-run...
and the Municipal Theatre of Kozani, and the hill of Xenia with the nice view of all the city - The bridge above the lake of Polyfytos. It is the longest bridge in Greece and measures 1372 meters in length.
Mass media
There are some telecommunications companies, TV and radio stations, newspapers, magazines, and web portals based in Kozani. The television channels are West ChannelWest Channel
West Channel is a Greek local channel which broadcasts from the city of Kozani for the periphery of West Macedonia. It was created in April 1991 by the lawyer Papafilippou and the businessman and benefactor Zissis Dardali...
, TOP Channel
Top Channel
Top Channel is a commercial television station with national frequency coverage in Tirana, Albania founded by media mogul Dritan Hoxha, and part of Top Media Group. Since September 2003, Top Channel became present on satellite broadcasting all over Europe through DigitAlb, and North America through...
and Flash TV. Top-circulation newspapers include Chronos
Chronos
In Greek mythology, Chronos in pre-Socratic philosophical works is said to be the personification of time. His name in Greek means "time" and is alternatively spelled Chronus or Khronos.Chronos was imagined as an incorporeal god, serpentine in form, with three heads—those of a man, a bull, and...
, Grammi, Tharros
Tharros
Tharros was an ancient city on the west coast of Sardinia, Italy, and is currently an archaeological site near the village of San Giovanni di Sinis, municipality of Cabras, in the Province of Oristano...
and others.
Historical population
{| class=wikitable! Year !! Town population !! Municipality population
|-
| 1971 || 23,240 || -
|-
| 1981 || 31,120 || -
|-
| 1991 || 31,553 || 43,395
|-
| 2001 || 38,591 || 49,812
|}
Transport
Kozani is accessed with Motorway EgnatiaEgnatia Odos (modern road)
Egnatia Odos is the Greek part of the European route. It is a motorway in Greece that extends from the western port of Igoumenitsa to the eastern Greek–Turkish border at Kipoi. It runs a total of...
(or GR-2
Greek National Road 2
The National Road 2 in Greece is a single carriageway with at-grade intersections in the regions of Macedonia and Thrace. It is often confused with the A2 Egnatia Odos, which is a motorway/freeway and is similarly numbered as .Parts of the road belong to european route E86....
, or E90
European route E90
European route E 90 is an A-Class West-East European route, extending from Lisbon in Portugal in the west to the Turkish-Iraqi border in the east.-Itinerary:...
) from Ioannina
Ioannina
Ioannina , often called Jannena within Greece, is the largest city of Epirus, north-western Greece, with a population of 70,203 . It lies at an elevation of approximately 500 meters above sea level, on the western shore of lake Pamvotis . It is located within the Ioannina municipality, and is the...
and Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki , historically also known as Thessalonica, Salonika or Salonica, is the second-largest city in Greece and the capital of the region of Central Macedonia as well as the capital of the Decentralized Administration of Macedonia and Thrace...
, GR-3
Greek National Road 3
Greek National Road 3 begins from Eleusis and heads north, passing Larissa, Florina and terminates at the border with the Republic of Macedonia in Niki, which from there links with the M3. The road is part of the E65. In the late 1980s, motorway bypasses have been constructed for the towns...
(or E65
European route E65
European route E 65 is a north-south Class-A European route that begins in Malmö, Sweden and ends in Chaniá, Greece. The road is about in length.-Itinerary:* Sweden** E 65: Malmö – Ystad* Baltic sea, ferry Ystad-Świnoujście* Poland...
) from Larissa
Larissa
Larissa is the capital and biggest city of the Thessaly region of Greece and capital of the Larissa regional unit. It is a principal agricultural centre and a national transportation hub, linked by road and rail with the port of Volos, the city of Thessaloniki and Athens...
and Florina
Florina
Florina is a town and municipality in mountainous northwestern Macedonia, Greece. Its motto is, 'Where Greece begins'. It is also the Metropolitan seat for the region. It lies in the central part of Florina peripheral unit, of which it is the capital. Florina belongs to the periphery of West...
, GR-4
Greek National Road 4
Greek National Road 4 is a national highway of Greece. It passes through Kozani, Veria and Edessa....
and GR-20
Greek National Road 20
The Greek National Road 20 or the Diagoniki Odos? is a highway or route that links the city of Kozani and Ioannina via Siatista and Konitsa. The highway is entirely the E92 for its entire length...
.
- By busBusA bus is a road vehicle designed to carry passengers. Buses can have a capacity as high as 300 passengers. The most common type of bus is the single-decker bus, with larger loads carried by double-decker buses and articulated buses, and smaller loads carried by midibuses and minibuses; coaches are...
, (KTEL Kozanis) for all West Macedonian towns and for the biggest Greek cities AthensAthensAthens , 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...
(4 times/day - 470 km), ThessalonikiThessalonikiThessaloniki , historically also known as Thessalonica, Salonika or Salonica, is the second-largest city in Greece and the capital of the region of Central Macedonia as well as the capital of the Decentralized Administration of Macedonia and Thrace...
(every hour - 120 km), Larisa (120 km), VolosVolosVolos is a coastal port city in Thessaly situated midway on the Greek mainland, about 326 km north of Athens and 215 km south of Thessaloniki...
, IoanninaIoanninaIoannina , often called Jannena within Greece, is the largest city of Epirus, north-western Greece, with a population of 70,203 . It lies at an elevation of approximately 500 meters above sea level, on the western shore of lake Pamvotis . It is located within the Ioannina municipality, and is the...
(160 km), PatrasPatrasPatras , ) is Greece's third largest urban area and the regional capital of West Greece, located in northern Peloponnese, 215 kilometers west of Athens...
. - By aeroplaneFixed-wing aircraftA fixed-wing aircraft is an aircraft capable of flight using wings that generate lift due to the vehicle's forward airspeed. Fixed-wing aircraft are distinct from rotary-wing aircraft in which wings rotate about a fixed mast and ornithopters in which lift is generated by flapping wings.A powered...
(Sky ExpressSky Express (Greece)Sky Express is a regional airline based in Heraklion, Greece, primarily focused on scheduled flights between Heraklion and several smaller Aegean islands, avoiding transiting through Athens. Its main base is Heraklion International Airport...
), the city is connected with Athens and Kastoria from Filippos Airport which lies 3 km south-east of Kozani. - By railway (OSE) to ThessalonikiThessalonikiThessaloniki , historically also known as Thessalonica, Salonika or Salonica, is the second-largest city in Greece and the capital of the region of Central Macedonia as well as the capital of the Decentralized Administration of Macedonia and Thrace...
(Railway Line Kozani - Amyntaio).
The public transit in the city is provided by minibus
Minibus
A minibus or minicoach is a passenger carrying motor vehicle that is designed to carry more people than a multi-purpose vehicle or minivan, but fewer people than a full-size bus. In the United Kingdom, the word "minibus" is used to describe any full-sized passenger carrying van. Minibuses have a...
es, and between the centre and the municipal departments, it is provided by Transit bus
Transit bus
A transit bus , also known as a commuter bus, city bus, or public bus, is a bus used for short-distance public transport purposes...
es. The traffic
Traffic
Traffic on roads may consist of pedestrians, ridden or herded animals, vehicles, streetcars and other conveyances, either singly or together, while using the public way for purposes of travel...
problems of the city have become more severe during the last few years.
Government
{| class=wikitable
! Municipal unit !! Population
|-
| Kozani || align=right | 47,461
|-
| Aiani
Aiani
Aiani or Kalliani is a town and a former municipality in the Kozani peripheral unit, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Kozani, of which it is a municipal unit. It lies 20 km south of Kozani city...
|| align=right | 3,816
|-
| Dimitrios Ypsilantis
Dimitrios Ypsilantis (municipality)
Dimitrios Ypsilantis is a former municipality in Kozani peripheral unit, West Macedonia, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Kozani, of which it is a municipal unit. It was named after Demetrius Ypsilanti, a 19th century leader of the Greek struggle for...
|| align=right | 3,018
|-
| Elimeia
Elimeia
Elimeia is a former municipality in Kozani peripheral unit, West Macedonia, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Kozani, of which it is a municipal unit. The population is 6,429 . The seat of the municipality was in Krokos...
|| align=right | 6,429
|-
| Ellispontos
Ellispontos
Ellispontos is a former municipality in Kozani peripheral unit, West Macedonia, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Kozani, of which it is a municipal unit. The population is 7,966 . The seat of the municipality was in Koilada....
|| align=right | 7,966
|-
|}
The total population is 68,680. It is developing into a nodal town of the Western Balkans, with areas and activities of a wider regional nature. Within this context, the municipality of Kozani is creating a modern satellite town, the Kozani Zone of Alternate Urban Planning (ZEP). The Municipal Corporation of alternate planning and development of Kozani S.A.(DEPEPOK) was established in order to implement the projects of the ZEP.
The ZEP is strategically located on 50 ha south-west of Kozani, and aims to become a model development centre, attracting an urban population and economic activities from throughout Western Macedonia in Greece and the Western Balkans.
Other known neighborhoods of Kozani are Sk'rka, Ipirotika, Gitia, Agios Athanasios, Platania.
Climate
The climate of the area is continental with cold and dry winters, and hot summers.{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;width:100%;border:0px;text-align:center;line-height:120%;"
! style="background: #99CCCC; color: #000080" height="17" |Month
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Jan
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Feb
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Mar
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Apr
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | May
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Jun
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Jul
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Aug
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Sep
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Oct
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Nov
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Dec
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Year
|-
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" |Avg high temperature °C (°F)
| style="background: #DDDDDD; color:#000000;" | 6 (43)
| style="background: #DDDDDD; color:#000000;" | 8 (48)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color:#000000;" | 11 (53)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color:#000000;" | 17 (63)
| style="background: #FFCC66; color:#000000;" | 20 (69)
| style="background: #FFCC66; color:#000000;" | 25 (78)
| style="background: #FFCC66; color:#000000;" | 29 (85)
| style="background: #FFCC66; color:#000000;" | 27 (82)
| style="background: #FFCC66; color:#000000;" | 25 (77)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color:#000000;" | 18 (66)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color:#000000;" | 13 (56)
| style="background: #DDDDDD; color:#000000;" | 6 (43)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color:#000000;" | 17 (64)
|-
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" |Highest Recorded Temperature °C (°F)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color:#000000;" | 18 (66)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color:#000000;" | 18 (66)
| style="background: #FFCC66; color:#000000;" | 21 (70)
| style="background: #FFCC66; color:#000000;" | 27 (81)
| style="background: #FF8000; color:#000000;" | 30 (86)
| style="background: #FF8000; color:#000000;" | 36 (97)
| style="background: #FF8000; color:#000000;" | 37 (99)
| style="background: #FF8000; color:#000000;" | 35 (95)
| style="background: #FF8000; color:#000000;" | 31 (88)
| style="background: #FFCC66; color:#000000;" | 27 (81)
| style="background: #FFCC66; color:#000000;" | 25 (77)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color:#000000;" | 16 (61)
| style="background: #FF8000; color:#000000;" | 37 (99)
|-
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" height="16;" |Avg low temperature °C (°F)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | -1 (29)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | 0 (32)
| style="background: #DDDDDD; color: black;" | 1 (34)
| style="background: #DDDDDD; color: black;" | 6 (44)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color: black;" | 10 (50)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color: black;" | 13 (57)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color: black;" | 16 (62)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color: black;" | 16 (61)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color: black;" | 13 (56)
| style="background: #DDDDDD; color: black;" | 8 (47)
| style="background: #DDDDDD; color: black;" | 4 (40)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | 0 (33)
| style="background: #DDDDDD; color: black;" | 7 (45)
|-
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" height="16;" | Lowest Recorded Temperature °C (°F)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | -16 (3)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | -8 (16)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | -11 (12)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | -5 (23)
| style="background: #DDDDDD; color: black;" | 2 (37)
| style="background: #DDDDDD; color: black;" | 7 (46)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color: black;" | 11 (52)
| style="background: #DDDDDD; color: black;" | 7 (45)
| style="background: #DDDDDD; color: black;" | 7 (45)
| style="background: #FFFFCC; color: black;" | -2 (28)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | -5 (23)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | -12 (9)
| style="background: #FFFFCC; color: black;" | -16 (3)
|-
| colspan="14" style="text-align:center;font-size:90%;"|Source: Weatherbase
|}
Education
Gymnasium (school)
A gymnasium is a type of school providing secondary education in some parts of Europe, comparable to English grammar schools or sixth form colleges and U.S. college preparatory high schools. The word γυμνάσιον was used in Ancient Greece, meaning a locality for both physical and intellectual...
of the city are 8, and there are two more in the municipal departments of Lefkopigi and Xirolimni. There are also 4 Lyceum
Lyceum
The lyceum is a category of educational institution defined within the education system of many countries, mainly in Europe. The definition varies between countries; usually it is a type of secondary school.-History:...
s, 4 Technical Schools (TEE), some Business Schools and one municipal Odeum.
Kozani is the home of the Technological Educational Institute of Western Macedonia - one of the biggest in Greece (founded on 1976). Three of its Faculties are in the city - the Faculty of Administration and Economy, Technological Applications and Health. (The rest of them are in other places of West Macedonia). The seat of the University of Western Macedonia
University of Western Macedonia
Τhe University of Western Macedonia is a multi-campus university in Northwestern Greece. It was founded in 2002 in Kozani. On 1 January 2004, the University of Western Macedonia absorbed four departments that had previously formed part of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.Faculty of...
and its Faculty of Engineering
Engineering
Engineering is the discipline, art, skill and profession of acquiring and applying scientific, mathematical, economic, social, and practical knowledge, in order to design and build structures, machines, devices, systems, materials and processes that safely realize improvements to the lives of...
, they are also in Kozani. The University
University
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
was founded in 2002.
Festivals and events
Carnival
Carnaval is a festive season which occurs immediately before Lent; the main events are usually during February. Carnaval typically involves a public celebration or parade combining some elements of a circus, mask and public street party...
are the Fanoi (great bonfires), which are lit in the squares of Kozani. Around them, people sing and dance mainly scoptic songs and local dances, such as the best known song in the region - the Enteka
Makedonikos antikristos
Makedonikos antikristos is a dance from Macedonia in Greece. It means "face to face dance from Macedonia", and it is danced by two people, usually by a man and a woman. It is mainly danced in the western side of Macedonia in the city of Kozani....
of Kozani, often called Kozani's "national anthem". All celebrations become more exciting on the Sunday of the last week, after the carnival parade, when bonfires are lit all over the town which burn until the early morning hours.
At the end of summer Lassaneia Events are organised. They consist of theatrical representations, concerts, athletic events etc. The name "Lassaneia" comes from Georgios Lassanis
Georgios Lassanis
Georgios Lassanis was a scholar and politician from Kozani, Greece.He studied literature and philosophy in Leipzig, then, in 1818, moved to Odessa, where he taught at the Greek community's business school. In Russia he became a member of Filiki Eteria, a secret Greek organisation. In 1820, he...
, who was from Kozani and participated in the Greek War of Independence. A part of those events is also the new authors song festival "Nikolas Asimos
Nikolas Asimos
Nikolas Asimos was a Greek composer and singer. His real surname was Asimopoulos . Asimos was a very special case of a counter-culture artist, mostly because of his choice of lifestyle. His behaviour and songs were often received as provocatory by the general public. He was a person with strong...
".
Niaimeros is a fair in the north of the city in the Niaimeros place. It takes place on the first Tuesday of October. It used to last 9 days (niaimeros = nine days), but now it lasts only 3 days.
Official local public holidays are the celebration for the liberation of the city from the Turks on 11th October and Saint Nicolas
Saint Nicolas
Saint-Nicolas may refer to the following places:-In Belgium:*Saint-Nicolas, Belgium, in the Province of Liège*The French name for Sint-Niklaas, in Province of East Flanders-In France:*Saint-Nicolas, Pas-de-Calais...
day - Kozani's patron - on 6th December.
The municipal Band
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
is named Pandora. It was founded in 1902, and it takes part in all the events and celebrations.
Cuisine
A typical dish in Kozani is the so called Giaprakia. The main ingredients are meatMeat
Meat is animal flesh that is used as food. Most often, this means the skeletal muscle and associated fat and other tissues, but it may also describe other edible tissues such as organs and offal...
and rice
Rice
Rice is the seed of the monocot plants Oryza sativa or Oryza glaberrima . As a cereal grain, it is the most important staple food for a large part of the world's human population, especially in East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and the West Indies...
in salty carbage-leaf, having the shape of an egg. It is used often as Christmas food. Kichi (Kozanitiko kichi) is called another local dish, which is actually a cheese pie
Pie
A pie is a baked dish which is usually made of a pastry dough casing that covers or completely contains a filling of various sweet or savoury ingredients....
with circular-snail form.
Notable people
- Ioannis Amanatidis, (1981–present) footballerFootball (soccer)Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
- Nikolas AsimosNikolas AsimosNikolas Asimos was a Greek composer and singer. His real surname was Asimopoulos . Asimos was a very special case of a counter-culture artist, mostly because of his choice of lifestyle. His behaviour and songs were often received as provocatory by the general public. He was a person with strong...
, (1949–1988) composerComposerA composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
and singer - Elias AtmatsidisElias AtmatsidisElias Atmatsidis is a former Greek football goalkeeper.Atmatsidis played most of his career for AEK Athens FC...
, (1969–present)Football goalkeeper - Evripidis Bakirtzis, (1895–1947), politicianPoliticianA politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
- Panayiotis Demopoulos, (1977–present) composerComposerA composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
and pianistPianistA pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:... - Anna DiamantopoulouAnna DiamantopoulouAnna Diamantopoulou , is a Member of Parliament in Greece for the party of the Panhellenic Socialist Movement and the current Minister for Education, Lifelong Learning and Religious Affairs in Greece...
, (1959–present) politicianPoliticianA politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
, former EU Commissioner, for Employment and Social AffairsEuropean Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs & Equal OpportunitiesThe Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion is the member of the European Commission. The current commissioner is László Andor....
, in the Prodi CommissionProdi CommissionThe Prodi Commission was the European Commission in office between 1999 and 2004. The administration was led by former Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi.-History:... - Foulidis EleftheriosFoulidis EleftheriosEleftherios Foulidis, is a Greek iconographer, born in Drepano, Kozani. He took his first impressions and practical Art lessons from his father Theofilos, who was a stage designer for the National Theatre of North Greece. Since then Mr...
, Iconographer - Georg Johannes Karajanis, great-great-grandfather of conductorConductingConducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
Herbert von KarajanHerbert von KarajanHerbert von Karajan was an Austrian orchestra and opera conductor. To the wider world he was perhaps most famously associated with the Berlin Philharmonic, of which he was principal conductor for 35 years... - Georgios LassanisGeorgios LassanisGeorgios Lassanis was a scholar and politician from Kozani, Greece.He studied literature and philosophy in Leipzig, then, in 1818, moved to Odessa, where he taught at the Greek community's business school. In Russia he became a member of Filiki Eteria, a secret Greek organisation. In 1820, he...
, (1793–1870) scholar and politicianPoliticianA politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making... - Michalis PapakonstantinouMichalis PapakonstantinouMichalis Papakonstantinou was a Greek politician and author. He studied law at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Papakonstantinou served as the Minister for Foreign Affairs from August 7, 1992, until October 13, 1993, as a member of the New Democracy Party.He regularly wrote as a...
, (1919–2010), author and Minister for Foreign AffairsMinister for Foreign Affairs (Greece)The Minister for Foreign Affairs is the senior minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Greece, established on 3 April 1833. The current Minister for Foreign Affairs, since 11 November 2011 is the former European Commissioner Stavros Dimas...
(1992–1993) - Giorgos PapakonstantinouGiorgos PapakonstantinouGiorgos Papakonstantinou , born October 30, 1961 in Athens, Greece, is a Greek economist and politician and the current Minister for the Environment, Energy and Climate Change of Greece, formerly Minister for Finance. He is a member of the Panhellenic Socialist Movement.-Education and career:He...
, Minister for Finance of Greece - Georgios ParakeimenosGeorgios ParakeimenosGeorgios Parakeimenos was a Physician and preacher. He was born in Kozani and later he went and studied medicine and philosophy at Padua. He was director of the Kozani school from 1694 to 1707.*List of Macedonians - External links :*...
, educator - Georgios SakellariosGeorgios SakellariosGeorgios Sakellarios was a chief physician at the court of Ali Pasha.He was born in Kozani and studied German and French and also Philosophy in Hungary. In addition to his post at the court, he was an associate of Rigas Ferraios and Perraivos....
, (1765–1838) educator - Ieroklis StoltidisIeroklis StoltidisIeroklis Stoltidis , also known as "Iéro", is a retired Greek footballer, who played as a defensive midfielder. He's well known as a passionate, determined anchorman with tremendous mental and physical courage....
, (1975–present) footballer - Ioannis TopalidisIoannis TopalidisIoannis Topalidis is a former Greek football player and was last the assistant manager of the Greek national football team.-Career:He spent most of his football career in Germany where he played for clubs such as SpVgg Ludwigsburg, VfR Bürstadt and Starkenburgia Heppenheim in the German 3rd...
, (1962–present), former Greek football player, assistant manager of the Greek national football team. - Chrisanthos TheodoridisChrisanthosChrysanthos Theodoridis or simply Chrysanthos was a singer and songwriter from Pontus, though he also lived in Thessaloniki for many years. He was born Chrisanthos Theodoridis in Oinoi of Kozani and he wrote several songs from and for Pontus. He became a symbol for the people from Pontus worldwide...
, (1934–2005) singer-songwriter, was born in Kozani - Kalliopi Vetta, singer
Twinnings
Bristol, Connecticut
Bristol is a suburban city located in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States southwest of Hartford. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 61,353. Bristol is primarily known as the home of ESPN, whose central studios are in the city. Bristol is also home to...
, USA, since November 2, 1987 Iaşi
Iasi
Iași is the second most populous city and a municipality in Romania. Located in the historical Moldavia region, Iași has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Romanian social, cultural, academic and artistic life...
, Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
Toluca
Toluca
Toluca, formally known as Toluca de Lerdo, is the state capital of Mexico State as well as the seat of the Municipality of Toluca. It is the center of a rapidly growing urban area, now the fifth largest in Mexico. It is located west-southwest of Mexico City and only about 40 minutes by car to the...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
Turgovishte, Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
, since 2002
Location
{|Kozani is a city in northern Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
, capital of Kozani regional unit and of West Macedonia
West Macedonia
West Macedonia is one of the thirteen regions of Greece, consisting of the western part of Greek Macedonia. It is divided into the regional units of Florina, Grevena, Kastoria, and Kozani.-Geography:...
region. It is located in the western part of Macedonia
Macedonia (Greece)
Macedonia is a geographical and historical region of Greece in Southern Europe. Macedonia is the largest and second most populous Greek region...
, in the northern part of the Aliakmonas river valley. The city lies 710 meters above sea level, 15 kilometers north-west of the artificial lake Polyfytos, 120 km south-west of Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki , historically also known as Thessalonica, Salonika or Salonica, is the second-largest city in Greece and the capital of the region of Central Macedonia as well as the capital of the Decentralized Administration of Macedonia and Thrace...
, between the mountains Pieria
Pierian Mountains
The Pierian Mountains are a mountain range between Imathia, Pieria and Kozani Prefecture, south of the plain of Kambania in Central Macedonia. The village of Vergina, where the archaeological site of ancient Aigai lies, is built at the foot of these mountains...
, Vermio
Vermion Mountains
The Vermio Mountains is a mountain range between Imathia and Kozani Prefecture in west-central Macedonia. The range is west of the plain of Kambania. The town of Veria, which is the capital of Imathia prefecture, is built οn the foot of these mountains...
, Vourinos
Vourinos
Vourinos is a mountain range covering the eastern Grevena and southern Kozani prefectures in Greece. Its peaks stand over .The GR-20 is to the north and the Aliakmon river to the southeast. Its length is approximately from northwest to southeast and its width is approximately from southwest...
and Askio
Askio
Askio is a former municipality in Kozani peripheral unit, West Macedonia, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Voio, of which it is a municipal unit. Population 5,130 . The seat of the municipality was in Kaloneri. It was named after the Askio mountain...
. Its population is estimated at about 50,000. The climate of the area is continental with cold and dry winters, and hot summers.
Kozani is the home of the Technological Educational Institute of Western Macedonia and the University of Western Macedonia
University of Western Macedonia
Τhe University of Western Macedonia is a multi-campus university in Northwestern Greece. It was founded in 2002 in Kozani. On 1 January 2004, the University of Western Macedonia absorbed four departments that had previously formed part of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.Faculty of...
, with about 15,000 students from all over Greece and other places. It is also the seat of West Macedonia's court of appeal, police department, fire brigade, the seat of the 1st Army Corps of the Hellenic Army
Hellenic Army I Army Corps
-Structure:**I Army Corps , headquartered at Kozani, Macedonia consists of***VIII Infantry Division , based at Ioannina, Epirus organised in****HQ Company...
and of the Bishop of Servia and Kozani
Diocese of Servia and Kozani
The Holy Diocese of Servia and Kozani is an Orthodox Christian diocese located in West Macedonia, Greece, with the bishop's seat at Kozani. Its archdeaconries include the cities of Kozani, Aiani, Drepano, Krokos, Servia and Velvendos...
.
One of the most important aspects of local folklore
Folklore
Folklore consists of legends, music, oral history, proverbs, jokes, popular beliefs, fairy tales and customs that are the traditions of a culture, subculture, or group. It is also the set of practices through which those expressive genres are shared. The study of folklore is sometimes called...
is Kozani's carnival
Carnival
Carnaval is a festive season which occurs immediately before Lent; the main events are usually during February. Carnaval typically involves a public celebration or parade combining some elements of a circus, mask and public street party...
at the end of the winter, which retains much of the profanity
Profanity
Profanity is a show of disrespect, or a desecration or debasement of someone or something. Profanity can take the form of words, expressions, gestures, or other social behaviors that are socially constructed or interpreted as insulting, rude, vulgar, obscene, desecrating, or other forms.The...
of the ancient Dionysiac
Dionysus
Dionysus was the god of the grape harvest, winemaking and wine, of ritual madness and ecstasy in Greek mythology. His name in Linear B tablets shows he was worshipped from c. 1500—1100 BC by Mycenean Greeks: other traces of Dionysian-type cult have been found in ancient Minoan Crete...
cult. Kozani is renowned in Greece and abroad for the production of Saffron
Saffron
Saffron is a spice derived from the flower of Crocus sativus, commonly known as the saffron crocus. Crocus is a genus in the family Iridaceae. Each saffron crocus grows to and bears up to four flowers, each with three vivid crimson stigmas, which are each the distal end of a carpel...
(Krokos Kozanis), in the nearby town of Krokos
Krokos
Krokos is a small Greek town of 5.000 inhabitants, only 5 km south of the city of Kozani. It was the seat of the municipality of Elimeia. Krokos has a modern telecommunications infrastructure, including broadband internet availability by means of ADSL....
.
Kozani is a transport node between Central Macedonia
Central Macedonia
Central Macedonia is one of the thirteen regions of Greece, consisting of the central part of the region of Macedonia. With a population of over 1.8 million, it is the second most populous in Greece after Attica.- Administration :...
, Thessaly
Thessaly
Thessaly is a traditional geographical region and an administrative region of Greece, comprising most of the ancient region of the same name. Before the Greek Dark Ages, Thessaly was known as Aeolia, and appears thus in Homer's Odyssey....
and Epirus
Epirus (region)
Epirus is a geographical and historical region in southeastern Europe, shared between Greece and Albania. It lies between the Pindus Mountains and the Ionian Sea, stretching from the Bay of Vlorë in the north to the Ambracian Gulf in the south...
. The nearest airport is Filippos Airport, 4 km from the city, IATA code: KZI. The airport was first opened in the mid-20th century. Kozani is situated near the Egnatia Highway
Egnatia Odos (modern road)
Egnatia Odos is the Greek part of the European route. It is a motorway in Greece that extends from the western port of Igoumenitsa to the eastern Greek–Turkish border at Kipoi. It runs a total of...
, which connects the coast of the Ionian Sea with Thessaloniki and Turkish borders.
Etymology
Epirus
The name Epirus, from the Greek "Ήπειρος" meaning continent may refer to:-Geographical:* Epirus - a historical and geographical region of the southwestern Balkans, straddling modern Greece and Albania...
Kósdiani, the origin of settlers of Kozani in 1392. The settlement was first named Kózdiani, which then, it was changed into Kóziani, and in the end into Kozáni.
Another opinion is that the name "Kozani", derive from the slavic kožani < koža 'skin, leather'.
Antiquity
Antiquities from the prehistoric to the Byzantine period have been unearthed in many parts of the city. In the east part of Kozani, an ancient necropolisNecropolis
A necropolis is a large cemetery or burial ground, usually including structural tombs. The word comes from the Greek νεκρόπολις - nekropolis, literally meaning "city of the dead"...
has been found, dating to the early Iron Age
Iron Age
The Iron Age is the archaeological period generally occurring after the Bronze Age, marked by the prevalent use of iron. The early period of the age is characterized by the widespread use of iron or steel. The adoption of such material coincided with other changes in society, including differing...
. During Philip II of Macedon
Philip II of Macedon
Philip II of Macedon "friend" + ἵππος "horse" — transliterated ; 382 – 336 BC), was a king of Macedon from 359 BC until his assassination in 336 BC. He was the father of Alexander the Great and Philip III.-Biography:...
's reign, the region was named Elimeia
Elimiotis
Elimiotis or Elimeia or Elimaea was a region of Upper Macedonia that was located along the Haliacmon, north of Perrhaebia/Thessaly, west of Pieria, east of Parauaea, and south of Orestis. In earlier times, it was independent, but later was incorporated into the Argead kingdom of Macedon...
, which was part of Upper Macedonia
Upper Macedonia
Upper Macedonia is a geographical and tribal term to describe the regions that became part of the kingdom of Macedon in the early 4th century BC. From that date, its inhabitants were politically equal to Lower Macedonians...
. In the south-west of the modern city, on Siopoto hill, there was a settlement named Kalyvia, between 1100 and 1300, traces of which are still preserved.
Ottoman period
Kozani was probably founded by Christian settlers who, after the OttomanOttoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
conquest, withdrew from the plains of Macedonia
Macedonia (region)
Macedonia is a geographical and historical region of the Balkan peninsula in southeastern Europe. Its boundaries have changed considerably over time, but nowadays the region is considered to include parts of five Balkan countries: Greece, the Republic of Macedonia, Bulgaria, Albania, Serbia, as...
into the mountains, during the 14th and 15th centuries. Its secure position soon attracted other Christians expelled from Epirus
Epirus
The name Epirus, from the Greek "Ήπειρος" meaning continent may refer to:-Geographical:* Epirus - a historical and geographical region of the southwestern Balkans, straddling modern Greece and Albania...
, in 1392. Together with the settlers from Epirus, many cattle-breeders moved in the region.
The first recorded mention of Kozani is in an Ottoman register of 1528, as a settlement with 91 houses, 23 singles and 15 widows. One of the most important colonizers of Kozani was the chief shepherd Ioannis Trantas, who settled about 100 families. His son, Charisios Trantas, managed to obtain a Sultan's firman in 1664, according to the terms of which the town came under the protection of the Sultan's mother, was endowed with many privileges, and became forbidden for the Turks to settle in.
Library
In a traditional sense, a library is a large collection of books, and can refer to the place in which the collection is housed. Today, the term can refer to any collection, including digital sources, resources, and services...
and the famous school of Kozani were founded. During the 17th and 18th century, commercial relations with the countries of central Europe
Central Europe
Central Europe or alternatively Middle Europe is a region of the European continent lying between the variously defined areas of Eastern and Western Europe...
gave the opportunity for the city to flourish economically. During the 19th century, as foreign travellers relate, the population of the town was Greek, and was growing (Leake
William Martin Leake
William Martin Leake, FRS , British antiquarian and topographer, was born in London.After completing his education at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, and spending four years in the West Indies as lieutenant of marine artillery, he was sent by the government to Constantinople to instruct the...
1835:305 and Bouè
Boue
Boue may refer to:*Boué, a commune in the Aisne department of France*Ami Boué, an Austrian geologist...
1854:87).
The town's growth was disrupted in 1770, because of conflict that erupted between Kozani's local inhabitants and Kozanite merchants in central Europe, who contributed to the town's prosperity; even more catastrophically, the city was pillaged by Turkish bey
Bey
Bey is a title for chieftain, traditionally applied to the leaders of small tribal groups. Accoding to some sources, the word "Bey" is of Turkish language In historical accounts, many Turkish, other Turkic and Persian leaders are titled Bey, Beg, Bek, Bay, Baig or Beigh. They are all the same word...
s in 1770. A subsequent incursion by Aslan bey, in 1830, ravaged the city immensely. In 1855 next to St. Nicholas Church a 26 meters high bell tower was built, which would become the symbol of the city. In 1939 a clock will be placed on the top floor of the tower, donation of Greek American Konstantinos Mamatsios. According to the 1904 population census, 12,000 Greeks and 350 Vlachs
Vlachs
Vlach is a blanket term covering several modern Latin peoples descending from the Latinised population in Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe. English variations on the name include: Walla, Wlachs, Wallachs, Vlahs, Olahs or Ulahs...
were living in Kozani at the time.
Balkan wars
First Balkan War
The First Balkan War, which lasted from October 1912 to May 1913, pitted the Balkan League against the Ottoman Empire. The combined armies of the Balkan states overcame the numerically inferior and strategically disadvantaged Ottoman armies and achieved rapid success...
, after its victory against the Ottoman army in the Battle of Sarantaporo
Battle of Sarantaporo
The Battle of Sarantaporo, variously also transliterated as Sarantaporon or Sarandaporon took place on October 9-10 , 1912...
. By this time, the population of the town was 12,000 Orthodox
Eastern Orthodox Church
The Orthodox Church, officially called the Orthodox Catholic Church and commonly referred to as the Eastern Orthodox Church, is the second largest Christian denomination in the world, with an estimated 300 million adherents mainly in the countries of Belarus, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Georgia, Greece,...
Greeks
Greeks
The Greeks, also known as the Hellenes , are a nation and ethnic group native to Greece, Cyprus and neighboring regions. They also form a significant diaspora, with Greek communities established around the world....
. In 1923, during the population exchange between Greece and Turkey
Population exchange between Greece and Turkey
The 1923 population exchange between Greece and Turkey was based upon religious identity, and involved the Greek Orthodox citizens of Turkey and the Muslim citizens of Greece...
, about 1,400 Greek families from Pontus
Pontus
Pontus or Pontos is a historical Greek designation for a region on the southern coast of the Black Sea, located in modern-day northeastern Turkey. The name was applied to the coastal region in antiquity by the Greeks who colonized the area, and derived from the Greek name of the Black Sea: Πόντος...
and Asia Minor
Asia Minor
Asia Minor is a geographical location at the westernmost protrusion of Asia, also called Anatolia, and corresponds to the western two thirds of the Asian part of Turkey...
were settled in Kozani.
Modern times
In the 20th century, the city grew tremendously, as lignite reserves in the area started being used by Public Power Corporation, making Kozani the foremost producer of electrical power in Greece. An earthquakeEarthquake
An earthquake is the result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves. The seismicity, seismism or seismic activity of an area refers to the frequency, type and size of earthquakes experienced over a period of time...
that occurred in the region on 13 May 1995, with a magnitude of 6.6 on the Richter scale
Richter magnitude scale
The expression Richter magnitude scale refers to a number of ways to assign a single number to quantify the energy contained in an earthquake....
caused only property damage.
The city now combines modern with old architecture. Some magnificent buildings are the Clock tower
Clock tower
A clock tower is a tower specifically built with one or more clock faces. Clock towers can be either freestanding or part of a church or municipal building such as a town hall. Some clock towers are not true clock towers having had their clock faces added to an already existing building...
, the Townhall, the Folklore museum
Folklore Museum
Domestic, rural and traditional ways of life in the agrarian economy of the Maltese Islands are shown inside Folklore Museum, within the walls of the Citadel in Rabat, Gozo. A cluster of houses, which dates back to the very beginning of the 16th century hosts the museum till 1983...
, the "Valtadoreio" Gymnasium
Gymnasium (school)
A gymnasium is a type of school providing secondary education in some parts of Europe, comparable to English grammar schools or sixth form colleges and U.S. college preparatory high schools. The word γυμνάσιον was used in Ancient Greece, meaning a locality for both physical and intellectual...
, the National Bank
National bank
In banking, the term national bank carries several meanings:* especially in developing countries, a bank owned by the state* an ordinary private bank which operates nationally...
building, the "Ermioneion" Hotel
Hotel
A hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging on a short-term basis. The provision of basic accommodation, in times past, consisting only of a room with a bed, a cupboard, a small table and a washstand has largely been replaced by rooms with modern facilities, including en-suite bathrooms...
and the mansion
Mansion
A mansion is a very large dwelling house. U.S. real estate brokers define a mansion as a dwelling of over . A traditional European mansion was defined as a house which contained a ballroom and tens of bedrooms...
s of Georgios Lassanis
Georgios Lassanis
Georgios Lassanis was a scholar and politician from Kozani, Greece.He studied literature and philosophy in Leipzig, then, in 1818, moved to Odessa, where he taught at the Greek community's business school. In Russia he became a member of Filiki Eteria, a secret Greek organisation. In 1820, he...
and Grigorios Vourkas. The Municipal library
Library
In a traditional sense, a library is a large collection of books, and can refer to the place in which the collection is housed. Today, the term can refer to any collection, including digital sources, resources, and services...
of Kozani called "Kovendareios" is the second biggest in Greece, and it has 150,000 books, rare publications, valuable documents, and one of the rare copies of Rigas Feraios
Rigas Feraios
Rigas Feraios or Rigas Velestinlis was a Greek writer and revolutionary of Aromanian origin, active in the Modern Greek Enlightenment, remembered as a Greek national hero, a victim of Balkan uprising against the Ottoman Empire and a forerunner of the Greek War of Independence.-Early...
Charter
Charter
A charter is the grant of authority or rights, stating that the granter formally recognizes the prerogative of the recipient to exercise the rights specified...
. For this reason Kozani was included in the National Cultural Network of Cities with object the promotion of the Book and Reading. The Institute of Book and Reading was established and Kozani is now known as City of Books. Today Kozani is the administrative, commercial, economic, and transport centre of the region of West Macedonia
West Macedonia
West Macedonia is one of the thirteen regions of Greece, consisting of the western part of Greek Macedonia. It is divided into the regional units of Florina, Grevena, Kastoria, and Kozani.-Geography:...
.
Economy
The city is mostly known for its important contribution to the Greek electricityElectricity
Electricity is a general term encompassing a variety of phenomena resulting from the presence and flow of electric charge. These include many easily recognizable phenomena, such as lightning, static electricity, and the flow of electrical current in an electrical wire...
supply, and a large part of the population works in coal power plant (DEI - Greek national electrical company
Public Power Corporation
The Public Power Corporation S.A. is the biggest electric power company in Greece. It is controlled to an extent by the government, and it produces and supplies electricity to all the country.-History:PPC was founded by the Greek government in 1950...
). In the region, 80% of the electric energy of the country is produced. Other famous products are marble
Marble
Marble is a metamorphic rock composed of recrystallized carbonate minerals, most commonly calcite or dolomite.Geologists use the term "marble" to refer to metamorphosed limestone; however stonemasons use the term more broadly to encompass unmetamorphosed limestone.Marble is commonly used for...
, Saffron
Saffron
Saffron is a spice derived from the flower of Crocus sativus, commonly known as the saffron crocus. Crocus is a genus in the family Iridaceae. Each saffron crocus grows to and bears up to four flowers, each with three vivid crimson stigmas, which are each the distal end of a carpel...
, (Krokos
Krokos
Krokos is a small Greek town of 5.000 inhabitants, only 5 km south of the city of Kozani. It was the seat of the municipality of Elimeia. Krokos has a modern telecommunications infrastructure, including broadband internet availability by means of ADSL....
Kozanis), fruits, local wines and specialized arts and crafts industry. A lot of bank
Bank
A bank is a financial institution that serves as a financial intermediary. The term "bank" may refer to one of several related types of entities:...
s have branches
Branch (banking)
A branch, banking center or financial center is a retail location where a bank, credit union, or other financial institution offers a wide array of face-to-face and automated services to its customers....
in Kozani. The local bank is named Bank of West Macedonia.
The Commercial Exhibition of Kozani takes part in the Exhibition Centre of West Macedonia
West Macedonia
West Macedonia is one of the thirteen regions of Greece, consisting of the western part of Greek Macedonia. It is divided into the regional units of Florina, Grevena, Kastoria, and Kozani.-Geography:...
in Koila Kozanis
Kila, Kozani
Koila is a Municipal Department of the city of Kozani in northern Greece. It is located 4 km north of the center of the city, between Kozani and Via Egnatia. It consists of Koila and three other settlements: Kardia, Exochi and Melissia. The population is 1,490.The Technological Educational...
every September. Many firms from Greece and other Balkan countries participate, especially with local products.
Sites of interest
- The Kozani Archaeological Museum.
- The Historical - Folklore and Natural History Museum of Kozani is a place worth visiting. It is built according to old Macedonian architecture, and in its 6 floors, visitors can see everything about the geography, natural history, flora and animals of the region, as well as the history, the traditions and the past way of life in Kozani.
- The Kozani Museum of modern local historyMuseum of Modern Local History of KozaniMuseum of Modern Local History of Kozani is a museum in Kozani, Greece. It was founded in 2006....
- The Kozani Museum of the Macedonian StruggleMuseum of the Macedonian StruggleThe Museum for the Macedonian Struggle occupies a neo-classical building designed by the renowned architect Ernst Ziller and built in 1893. In its six ground-floor rooms the museum graphically illustrates the modern and contemporary history of Greek Macedonia. It presents the social, economic,...
, a museum dedicated to the history of the Macedonian StruggleGreek Struggle for MacedoniaThe Macedonian Struggle was a series of social, political, cultural and military conflicts between Greeks and Bulgarians in the region of Ottoman Macedonia between 1904 and 1908...
. - The clock towerClock towerA clock tower is a tower specifically built with one or more clock faces. Clock towers can be either freestanding or part of a church or municipal building such as a town hall. Some clock towers are not true clock towers having had their clock faces added to an already existing building...
and the church of Agios Nikolaos - 350 years old - in Nikis SquareNikis SquareNikis Square is Kozani's central square. It is approximately in the middle of the town, 470 km north-west from Athens, 120 km south-west from Thessaloniki. Koventaron street is to the north, Tsontza street is to the west, Eirinis avenue is to south and Pavlou Mela street is to the east.A...
. - Other attractions include the Grigorios Vourkas Mansion and the Georgios LassanisGeorgios LassanisGeorgios Lassanis was a scholar and politician from Kozani, Greece.He studied literature and philosophy in Leipzig, then, in 1818, moved to Odessa, where he taught at the Greek community's business school. In Russia he became a member of Filiki Eteria, a secret Greek organisation. In 1820, he...
Mansion. The second one lies in a central squarePlateiaPlateia 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...
, named Lassani Square and it is used as the Municipal Map Library. - The Municipal Park Kouri, the Park of Agios Dimitrios where you can see the Cultural CenterCultural centerA cultural center or cultural centre is an organization, building or complex that promotes culture and arts. Cultural centers can be neighborhood community arts organizations, private facilities, government-sponsored, or activist-run...
and the Municipal Theatre of Kozani, and the hill of Xenia with the nice view of all the city - The bridge above the lake of Polyfytos. It is the longest bridge in Greece and measures 1372 meters in length.
Mass media
There are some telecommunications companies, TV and radio stations, newspapers, magazines, and web portals based in Kozani. The television channels are West ChannelWest Channel
West Channel is a Greek local channel which broadcasts from the city of Kozani for the periphery of West Macedonia. It was created in April 1991 by the lawyer Papafilippou and the businessman and benefactor Zissis Dardali...
, TOP Channel
Top Channel
Top Channel is a commercial television station with national frequency coverage in Tirana, Albania founded by media mogul Dritan Hoxha, and part of Top Media Group. Since September 2003, Top Channel became present on satellite broadcasting all over Europe through DigitAlb, and North America through...
and Flash TV. Top-circulation newspapers include Chronos
Chronos
In Greek mythology, Chronos in pre-Socratic philosophical works is said to be the personification of time. His name in Greek means "time" and is alternatively spelled Chronus or Khronos.Chronos was imagined as an incorporeal god, serpentine in form, with three heads—those of a man, a bull, and...
, Grammi, Tharros
Tharros
Tharros was an ancient city on the west coast of Sardinia, Italy, and is currently an archaeological site near the village of San Giovanni di Sinis, municipality of Cabras, in the Province of Oristano...
and others.
Historical population
{| class=wikitable! Year !! Town population !! Municipality population
|-
| 1971 || 23,240 || -
|-
| 1981 || 31,120 || -
|-
| 1991 || 31,553 || 43,395
|-
| 2001 || 38,591 || 49,812
|}
Transport
Kozani is accessed with Motorway EgnatiaEgnatia Odos (modern road)
Egnatia Odos is the Greek part of the European route. It is a motorway in Greece that extends from the western port of Igoumenitsa to the eastern Greek–Turkish border at Kipoi. It runs a total of...
(or GR-2
Greek National Road 2
The National Road 2 in Greece is a single carriageway with at-grade intersections in the regions of Macedonia and Thrace. It is often confused with the A2 Egnatia Odos, which is a motorway/freeway and is similarly numbered as .Parts of the road belong to european route E86....
, or E90
European route E90
European route E 90 is an A-Class West-East European route, extending from Lisbon in Portugal in the west to the Turkish-Iraqi border in the east.-Itinerary:...
) from Ioannina
Ioannina
Ioannina , often called Jannena within Greece, is the largest city of Epirus, north-western Greece, with a population of 70,203 . It lies at an elevation of approximately 500 meters above sea level, on the western shore of lake Pamvotis . It is located within the Ioannina municipality, and is the...
and Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki , historically also known as Thessalonica, Salonika or Salonica, is the second-largest city in Greece and the capital of the region of Central Macedonia as well as the capital of the Decentralized Administration of Macedonia and Thrace...
, GR-3
Greek National Road 3
Greek National Road 3 begins from Eleusis and heads north, passing Larissa, Florina and terminates at the border with the Republic of Macedonia in Niki, which from there links with the M3. The road is part of the E65. In the late 1980s, motorway bypasses have been constructed for the towns...
(or E65
European route E65
European route E 65 is a north-south Class-A European route that begins in Malmö, Sweden and ends in Chaniá, Greece. The road is about in length.-Itinerary:* Sweden** E 65: Malmö – Ystad* Baltic sea, ferry Ystad-Świnoujście* Poland...
) from Larissa
Larissa
Larissa is the capital and biggest city of the Thessaly region of Greece and capital of the Larissa regional unit. It is a principal agricultural centre and a national transportation hub, linked by road and rail with the port of Volos, the city of Thessaloniki and Athens...
and Florina
Florina
Florina is a town and municipality in mountainous northwestern Macedonia, Greece. Its motto is, 'Where Greece begins'. It is also the Metropolitan seat for the region. It lies in the central part of Florina peripheral unit, of which it is the capital. Florina belongs to the periphery of West...
, GR-4
Greek National Road 4
Greek National Road 4 is a national highway of Greece. It passes through Kozani, Veria and Edessa....
and GR-20
Greek National Road 20
The Greek National Road 20 or the Diagoniki Odos? is a highway or route that links the city of Kozani and Ioannina via Siatista and Konitsa. The highway is entirely the E92 for its entire length...
.
- By busBusA bus is a road vehicle designed to carry passengers. Buses can have a capacity as high as 300 passengers. The most common type of bus is the single-decker bus, with larger loads carried by double-decker buses and articulated buses, and smaller loads carried by midibuses and minibuses; coaches are...
, (KTEL Kozanis) for all West Macedonian towns and for the biggest Greek cities AthensAthensAthens , 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...
(4 times/day - 470 km), ThessalonikiThessalonikiThessaloniki , historically also known as Thessalonica, Salonika or Salonica, is the second-largest city in Greece and the capital of the region of Central Macedonia as well as the capital of the Decentralized Administration of Macedonia and Thrace...
(every hour - 120 km), Larisa (120 km), VolosVolosVolos is a coastal port city in Thessaly situated midway on the Greek mainland, about 326 km north of Athens and 215 km south of Thessaloniki...
, IoanninaIoanninaIoannina , often called Jannena within Greece, is the largest city of Epirus, north-western Greece, with a population of 70,203 . It lies at an elevation of approximately 500 meters above sea level, on the western shore of lake Pamvotis . It is located within the Ioannina municipality, and is the...
(160 km), PatrasPatrasPatras , ) is Greece's third largest urban area and the regional capital of West Greece, located in northern Peloponnese, 215 kilometers west of Athens...
. - By aeroplaneFixed-wing aircraftA fixed-wing aircraft is an aircraft capable of flight using wings that generate lift due to the vehicle's forward airspeed. Fixed-wing aircraft are distinct from rotary-wing aircraft in which wings rotate about a fixed mast and ornithopters in which lift is generated by flapping wings.A powered...
(Sky ExpressSky Express (Greece)Sky Express is a regional airline based in Heraklion, Greece, primarily focused on scheduled flights between Heraklion and several smaller Aegean islands, avoiding transiting through Athens. Its main base is Heraklion International Airport...
), the city is connected with Athens and Kastoria from Filippos Airport which lies 3 km south-east of Kozani. - By railway (OSE) to ThessalonikiThessalonikiThessaloniki , historically also known as Thessalonica, Salonika or Salonica, is the second-largest city in Greece and the capital of the region of Central Macedonia as well as the capital of the Decentralized Administration of Macedonia and Thrace...
(Railway Line Kozani - Amyntaio).
The public transit in the city is provided by minibus
Minibus
A minibus or minicoach is a passenger carrying motor vehicle that is designed to carry more people than a multi-purpose vehicle or minivan, but fewer people than a full-size bus. In the United Kingdom, the word "minibus" is used to describe any full-sized passenger carrying van. Minibuses have a...
es, and between the centre and the municipal departments, it is provided by Transit bus
Transit bus
A transit bus , also known as a commuter bus, city bus, or public bus, is a bus used for short-distance public transport purposes...
es. The traffic
Traffic
Traffic on roads may consist of pedestrians, ridden or herded animals, vehicles, streetcars and other conveyances, either singly or together, while using the public way for purposes of travel...
problems of the city have become more severe during the last few years.
Government
{| class=wikitable
! Municipal unit !! Population
|-
| Kozani || align=right | 47,461
|-
| Aiani
Aiani
Aiani or Kalliani is a town and a former municipality in the Kozani peripheral unit, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Kozani, of which it is a municipal unit. It lies 20 km south of Kozani city...
|| align=right | 3,816
|-
| Dimitrios Ypsilantis
Dimitrios Ypsilantis (municipality)
Dimitrios Ypsilantis is a former municipality in Kozani peripheral unit, West Macedonia, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Kozani, of which it is a municipal unit. It was named after Demetrius Ypsilanti, a 19th century leader of the Greek struggle for...
|| align=right | 3,018
|-
| Elimeia
Elimeia
Elimeia is a former municipality in Kozani peripheral unit, West Macedonia, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Kozani, of which it is a municipal unit. The population is 6,429 . The seat of the municipality was in Krokos...
|| align=right | 6,429
|-
| Ellispontos
Ellispontos
Ellispontos is a former municipality in Kozani peripheral unit, West Macedonia, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Kozani, of which it is a municipal unit. The population is 7,966 . The seat of the municipality was in Koilada....
|| align=right | 7,966
|-
|}
The total population is 68,680. It is developing into a nodal town of the Western Balkans, with areas and activities of a wider regional nature. Within this context, the municipality of Kozani is creating a modern satellite town, the Kozani Zone of Alternate Urban Planning (ZEP). The Municipal Corporation of alternate planning and development of Kozani S.A.(DEPEPOK) was established in order to implement the projects of the ZEP.
The ZEP is strategically located on 50 ha south-west of Kozani, and aims to become a model development centre, attracting an urban population and economic activities from throughout Western Macedonia in Greece and the Western Balkans.
Other known neighborhoods of Kozani are Sk'rka, Ipirotika, Gitia, Agios Athanasios, Platania.
Climate
The climate of the area is continental with cold and dry winters, and hot summers.{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;width:100%;border:0px;text-align:center;line-height:120%;"
! style="background: #99CCCC; color: #000080" height="17" |Month
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Jan
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Feb
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Mar
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Apr
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | May
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Jun
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Jul
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Aug
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Sep
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Oct
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Nov
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Dec
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Year
|-
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" |Avg high temperature °C (°F)
| style="background: #DDDDDD; color:#000000;" | 6 (43)
| style="background: #DDDDDD; color:#000000;" | 8 (48)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color:#000000;" | 11 (53)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color:#000000;" | 17 (63)
| style="background: #FFCC66; color:#000000;" | 20 (69)
| style="background: #FFCC66; color:#000000;" | 25 (78)
| style="background: #FFCC66; color:#000000;" | 29 (85)
| style="background: #FFCC66; color:#000000;" | 27 (82)
| style="background: #FFCC66; color:#000000;" | 25 (77)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color:#000000;" | 18 (66)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color:#000000;" | 13 (56)
| style="background: #DDDDDD; color:#000000;" | 6 (43)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color:#000000;" | 17 (64)
|-
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" |Highest Recorded Temperature °C (°F)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color:#000000;" | 18 (66)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color:#000000;" | 18 (66)
| style="background: #FFCC66; color:#000000;" | 21 (70)
| style="background: #FFCC66; color:#000000;" | 27 (81)
| style="background: #FF8000; color:#000000;" | 30 (86)
| style="background: #FF8000; color:#000000;" | 36 (97)
| style="background: #FF8000; color:#000000;" | 37 (99)
| style="background: #FF8000; color:#000000;" | 35 (95)
| style="background: #FF8000; color:#000000;" | 31 (88)
| style="background: #FFCC66; color:#000000;" | 27 (81)
| style="background: #FFCC66; color:#000000;" | 25 (77)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color:#000000;" | 16 (61)
| style="background: #FF8000; color:#000000;" | 37 (99)
|-
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" height="16;" |Avg low temperature °C (°F)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | -1 (29)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | 0 (32)
| style="background: #DDDDDD; color: black;" | 1 (34)
| style="background: #DDDDDD; color: black;" | 6 (44)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color: black;" | 10 (50)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color: black;" | 13 (57)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color: black;" | 16 (62)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color: black;" | 16 (61)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color: black;" | 13 (56)
| style="background: #DDDDDD; color: black;" | 8 (47)
| style="background: #DDDDDD; color: black;" | 4 (40)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | 0 (33)
| style="background: #DDDDDD; color: black;" | 7 (45)
|-
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" height="16;" | Lowest Recorded Temperature °C (°F)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | -16 (3)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | -8 (16)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | -11 (12)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | -5 (23)
| style="background: #DDDDDD; color: black;" | 2 (37)
| style="background: #DDDDDD; color: black;" | 7 (46)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color: black;" | 11 (52)
| style="background: #DDDDDD; color: black;" | 7 (45)
| style="background: #DDDDDD; color: black;" | 7 (45)
| style="background: #FFFFCC; color: black;" | -2 (28)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | -5 (23)
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | -12 (9)
| style="background: #FFFFCC; color: black;" | -16 (3)
|-
| colspan="14" style="text-align:center;font-size:90%;"|Source: Weatherbase
|}
Education
Gymnasium (school)
A gymnasium is a type of school providing secondary education in some parts of Europe, comparable to English grammar schools or sixth form colleges and U.S. college preparatory high schools. The word γυμνάσιον was used in Ancient Greece, meaning a locality for both physical and intellectual...
of the city are 8, and there are two more in the municipal departments of Lefkopigi and Xirolimni. There are also 4 Lyceum
Lyceum
The lyceum is a category of educational institution defined within the education system of many countries, mainly in Europe. The definition varies between countries; usually it is a type of secondary school.-History:...
s, 4 Technical Schools (TEE), some Business Schools and one municipal Odeum.
Kozani is the home of the Technological Educational Institute of Western Macedonia - one of the biggest in Greece (founded on 1976). Three of its Faculties are in the city - the Faculty of Administration and Economy, Technological Applications and Health. (The rest of them are in other places of West Macedonia). The seat of the University of Western Macedonia
University of Western Macedonia
Τhe University of Western Macedonia is a multi-campus university in Northwestern Greece. It was founded in 2002 in Kozani. On 1 January 2004, the University of Western Macedonia absorbed four departments that had previously formed part of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.Faculty of...
and its Faculty of Engineering
Engineering
Engineering is the discipline, art, skill and profession of acquiring and applying scientific, mathematical, economic, social, and practical knowledge, in order to design and build structures, machines, devices, systems, materials and processes that safely realize improvements to the lives of...
, they are also in Kozani. The University
University
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
was founded in 2002.
Festivals and events
Carnival
Carnaval is a festive season which occurs immediately before Lent; the main events are usually during February. Carnaval typically involves a public celebration or parade combining some elements of a circus, mask and public street party...
are the Fanoi (great bonfires), which are lit in the squares of Kozani. Around them, people sing and dance mainly scoptic songs and local dances, such as the best known song in the region - the Enteka
Makedonikos antikristos
Makedonikos antikristos is a dance from Macedonia in Greece. It means "face to face dance from Macedonia", and it is danced by two people, usually by a man and a woman. It is mainly danced in the western side of Macedonia in the city of Kozani....
of Kozani, often called Kozani's "national anthem". All celebrations become more exciting on the Sunday of the last week, after the carnival parade, when bonfires are lit all over the town which burn until the early morning hours.
At the end of summer Lassaneia Events are organised. They consist of theatrical representations, concerts, athletic events etc. The name "Lassaneia" comes from Georgios Lassanis
Georgios Lassanis
Georgios Lassanis was a scholar and politician from Kozani, Greece.He studied literature and philosophy in Leipzig, then, in 1818, moved to Odessa, where he taught at the Greek community's business school. In Russia he became a member of Filiki Eteria, a secret Greek organisation. In 1820, he...
, who was from Kozani and participated in the Greek War of Independence. A part of those events is also the new authors song festival "Nikolas Asimos
Nikolas Asimos
Nikolas Asimos was a Greek composer and singer. His real surname was Asimopoulos . Asimos was a very special case of a counter-culture artist, mostly because of his choice of lifestyle. His behaviour and songs were often received as provocatory by the general public. He was a person with strong...
".
Niaimeros is a fair in the north of the city in the Niaimeros place. It takes place on the first Tuesday of October. It used to last 9 days (niaimeros = nine days), but now it lasts only 3 days.
Official local public holidays are the celebration for the liberation of the city from the Turks on 11th October and Saint Nicolas
Saint Nicolas
Saint-Nicolas may refer to the following places:-In Belgium:*Saint-Nicolas, Belgium, in the Province of Liège*The French name for Sint-Niklaas, in Province of East Flanders-In France:*Saint-Nicolas, Pas-de-Calais...
day - Kozani's patron - on 6th December.
The municipal Band
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
is named Pandora. It was founded in 1902, and it takes part in all the events and celebrations.
Cuisine
A typical dish in Kozani is the so called Giaprakia. The main ingredients are meatMeat
Meat is animal flesh that is used as food. Most often, this means the skeletal muscle and associated fat and other tissues, but it may also describe other edible tissues such as organs and offal...
and rice
Rice
Rice is the seed of the monocot plants Oryza sativa or Oryza glaberrima . As a cereal grain, it is the most important staple food for a large part of the world's human population, especially in East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and the West Indies...
in salty carbage-leaf, having the shape of an egg. It is used often as Christmas food. Kichi (Kozanitiko kichi) is called another local dish, which is actually a cheese pie
Pie
A pie is a baked dish which is usually made of a pastry dough casing that covers or completely contains a filling of various sweet or savoury ingredients....
with circular-snail form.
Notable people
- Ioannis Amanatidis, (1981–present) footballerFootball (soccer)Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
- Nikolas AsimosNikolas AsimosNikolas Asimos was a Greek composer and singer. His real surname was Asimopoulos . Asimos was a very special case of a counter-culture artist, mostly because of his choice of lifestyle. His behaviour and songs were often received as provocatory by the general public. He was a person with strong...
, (1949–1988) composerComposerA composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
and singer - Elias AtmatsidisElias AtmatsidisElias Atmatsidis is a former Greek football goalkeeper.Atmatsidis played most of his career for AEK Athens FC...
, (1969–present)Football goalkeeper - Evripidis Bakirtzis, (1895–1947), politicianPoliticianA politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
- Panayiotis Demopoulos, (1977–present) composerComposerA composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
and pianistPianistA pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:... - Anna DiamantopoulouAnna DiamantopoulouAnna Diamantopoulou , is a Member of Parliament in Greece for the party of the Panhellenic Socialist Movement and the current Minister for Education, Lifelong Learning and Religious Affairs in Greece...
, (1959–present) politicianPoliticianA politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
, former EU Commissioner, for Employment and Social AffairsEuropean Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs & Equal OpportunitiesThe Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion is the member of the European Commission. The current commissioner is László Andor....
, in the Prodi CommissionProdi CommissionThe Prodi Commission was the European Commission in office between 1999 and 2004. The administration was led by former Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi.-History:... - Foulidis EleftheriosFoulidis EleftheriosEleftherios Foulidis, is a Greek iconographer, born in Drepano, Kozani. He took his first impressions and practical Art lessons from his father Theofilos, who was a stage designer for the National Theatre of North Greece. Since then Mr...
, Iconographer - Georg Johannes Karajanis, great-great-grandfather of conductorConductingConducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
Herbert von KarajanHerbert von KarajanHerbert von Karajan was an Austrian orchestra and opera conductor. To the wider world he was perhaps most famously associated with the Berlin Philharmonic, of which he was principal conductor for 35 years... - Georgios LassanisGeorgios LassanisGeorgios Lassanis was a scholar and politician from Kozani, Greece.He studied literature and philosophy in Leipzig, then, in 1818, moved to Odessa, where he taught at the Greek community's business school. In Russia he became a member of Filiki Eteria, a secret Greek organisation. In 1820, he...
, (1793–1870) scholar and politicianPoliticianA politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making... - Michalis PapakonstantinouMichalis PapakonstantinouMichalis Papakonstantinou was a Greek politician and author. He studied law at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Papakonstantinou served as the Minister for Foreign Affairs from August 7, 1992, until October 13, 1993, as a member of the New Democracy Party.He regularly wrote as a...
, (1919–2010), author and Minister for Foreign AffairsMinister for Foreign Affairs (Greece)The Minister for Foreign Affairs is the senior minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Greece, established on 3 April 1833. The current Minister for Foreign Affairs, since 11 November 2011 is the former European Commissioner Stavros Dimas...
(1992–1993) - Giorgos PapakonstantinouGiorgos PapakonstantinouGiorgos Papakonstantinou , born October 30, 1961 in Athens, Greece, is a Greek economist and politician and the current Minister for the Environment, Energy and Climate Change of Greece, formerly Minister for Finance. He is a member of the Panhellenic Socialist Movement.-Education and career:He...
, Minister for Finance of Greece - Georgios ParakeimenosGeorgios ParakeimenosGeorgios Parakeimenos was a Physician and preacher. He was born in Kozani and later he went and studied medicine and philosophy at Padua. He was director of the Kozani school from 1694 to 1707.*List of Macedonians - External links :*...
, educator - Georgios SakellariosGeorgios SakellariosGeorgios Sakellarios was a chief physician at the court of Ali Pasha.He was born in Kozani and studied German and French and also Philosophy in Hungary. In addition to his post at the court, he was an associate of Rigas Ferraios and Perraivos....
, (1765–1838) educator - Ieroklis StoltidisIeroklis StoltidisIeroklis Stoltidis , also known as "Iéro", is a retired Greek footballer, who played as a defensive midfielder. He's well known as a passionate, determined anchorman with tremendous mental and physical courage....
, (1975–present) footballer - Ioannis TopalidisIoannis TopalidisIoannis Topalidis is a former Greek football player and was last the assistant manager of the Greek national football team.-Career:He spent most of his football career in Germany where he played for clubs such as SpVgg Ludwigsburg, VfR Bürstadt and Starkenburgia Heppenheim in the German 3rd...
, (1962–present), former Greek football player, assistant manager of the Greek national football team. - Chrisanthos TheodoridisChrisanthosChrysanthos Theodoridis or simply Chrysanthos was a singer and songwriter from Pontus, though he also lived in Thessaloniki for many years. He was born Chrisanthos Theodoridis in Oinoi of Kozani and he wrote several songs from and for Pontus. He became a symbol for the people from Pontus worldwide...
, (1934–2005) singer-songwriter, was born in Kozani - Kalliopi Vetta, singer
Twinnings
Bristol, Connecticut
Bristol is a suburban city located in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States southwest of Hartford. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 61,353. Bristol is primarily known as the home of ESPN, whose central studios are in the city. Bristol is also home to...
, USA, since November 2, 1987 Iaşi
Iasi
Iași is the second most populous city and a municipality in Romania. Located in the historical Moldavia region, Iași has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Romanian social, cultural, academic and artistic life...
, Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
Toluca
Toluca
Toluca, formally known as Toluca de Lerdo, is the state capital of Mexico State as well as the seat of the Municipality of Toluca. It is the center of a rapidly growing urban area, now the fifth largest in Mexico. It is located west-southwest of Mexico City and only about 40 minutes by car to the...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
Turgovishte, Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
, since 2002
Location
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See also
- Lake Polyfytos BridgeLake Polyfytos BridgeThe Lake Polyfytos Bridge or the Servia / Neraida High Bridge is one of the longest bridges in Greece, with a length of 1,372 m. Construction began in 1972 along with the artificial lake and was completed in 1975....
- Kozani Municipal StadiumKozani StadiumKozani Stadium is a multi-use stadium in Kozani, Greece. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home stadium of Kozani F.C.. The stadium holds 4,000 and was built in 1955....
- I Army Corps of the Hellenic ArmyHellenic Army I Army Corps-Structure:**I Army Corps , headquartered at Kozani, Macedonia consists of***VIII Infantry Division , based at Ioannina, Epirus organised in****HQ Company...
- Kozani National Airport "Filippos"
- Enteka danceMakedonikos antikristosMakedonikos antikristos is a dance from Macedonia in Greece. It means "face to face dance from Macedonia", and it is danced by two people, usually by a man and a woman. It is mainly danced in the western side of Macedonia in the city of Kozani....
- Krokos KozanisKrokosKrokos is a small Greek town of 5.000 inhabitants, only 5 km south of the city of Kozani. It was the seat of the municipality of Elimeia. Krokos has a modern telecommunications infrastructure, including broadband internet availability by means of ADSL....
External links
- Municipality of Kozani
- Prefecture of Kozani
- Region of Western Macedonia
- University of Western Macedonia
- TEI of Western Macedonia
- http://www.macedonian-heritage.gr/HellenicMacedonia/en/C3.6.html
