Alexandroupolis (, ) or Alexandroupoli (, ) is a city in
Greece
Greece, officially the Hellenic Republic, is a country in Southeast Europe. Located on the southern tip of the Balkan peninsula, it shares land borders with Albania to the northwest, North Macedonia and Bulgaria to the north, and Turkey to th ...
and the capital of the
Evros regional unit. It is the largest city in
Greek Thrace
Western Thrace or West Thrace (, '' ytikíThráki'' ), also known as Greek Thrace or Aegean Thrace, is a geographical and historical region of Greece, between the Nestos and Evros rivers in the northeast of the country; East Thrace, which lie ...
and the region of
Eastern Macedonia and Thrace
Eastern Macedonia and Thrace ( ; , ) is one of the thirteen Regions of Greece, administrative regions of Greece. It consists of the northeastern parts of the country, comprising the eastern part of the Geographic regions of Greece, region of ...
, with a population of 71,751, and is an important port and commercial center for northeastern Greece.
The city was first settled by the
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman Empire (), also called the Turkish Empire, was an empire, imperial realm that controlled much of Southeast Europe, West Asia, and North Africa from the 14th to early 20th centuries; it also controlled parts of southeastern Centr ...
in the 19th century and grew into the fishing village ''Dedeağaç''. In 1873, it became a ''kaza'' and one year later was promoted to a ''
sanjak
A sanjak or sancak (, , "flag, banner") was an administrative division of the Ottoman Empire. The Ottomans also sometimes called the sanjak a liva (, ) from the name's calque in Arabic and Persian.
Banners were a common organization of nomad ...
''. The city developed into a regional trading center. Later, it became a part of
Adrianople Vilayet. During the
Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878)
The Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878) was a conflict between the Ottoman Empire and a coalition led by the Russian Empire which included United Principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia, Romania, Principality of Serbia, Serbia, and Principality of ...
, the area was briefly captured by the Russians. Ottoman rule ended with the
First Balkan War
The First Balkan War lasted from October 1912 to May 1913 and involved actions of the Balkan League (the Kingdoms of Kingdom of Bulgaria, Bulgaria, Kingdom of Serbia, Serbia, Kingdom of Greece, Greece and Kingdom of Montenegro, Montenegro) agai ...
, when the city was captured by
Bulgaria
Bulgaria, officially the Republic of Bulgaria, is a country in Southeast Europe. It is situated on the eastern portion of the Balkans directly south of the Danube river and west of the Black Sea. Bulgaria is bordered by Greece and Turkey t ...
in 1912. In the
Second Balkan War
The Second Balkan War was a conflict that broke out when Kingdom of Bulgaria, Bulgaria, dissatisfied with its share of the spoils of the First Balkan War, attacked its former allies, Kingdom of Serbia, Serbia and Kingdom of Greece, Greece, on 1 ...
,
Greece
Greece, officially the Hellenic Republic, is a country in Southeast Europe. Located on the southern tip of the Balkan peninsula, it shares land borders with Albania to the northwest, North Macedonia and Bulgaria to the north, and Turkey to th ...
took control of the city. With the
Treaty of Bucharest (10 August 1913), the city returned to Bulgaria.
With the defeat of Bulgaria in
World War I
World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...
, the city came under Greek control for the second time. In 1920, the city was renamed to honour the King of Greece,
Alexander
Alexander () is a male name of Greek origin. The most prominent bearer of the name is Alexander the Great, the king of the Ancient Greek kingdom of Macedonia who created one of the largest empires in ancient history.
Variants listed here ar ...
. With the
Treaty of Lausanne
The Treaty of Lausanne (, ) is a peace treaty negotiated during the Lausanne Conference of 1922–1923 and signed in the Palais de Rumine in Lausanne, Switzerland, on 24 July 1923. The treaty officially resolved the conflict that had initially ...
in 1923, Alexandroupolis became an official part of Greece.
The modern city is near the site of ancient
Sale, a
colony
A colony is a territory subject to a form of foreign rule, which rules the territory and its indigenous peoples separated from the foreign rulers, the colonizer, and their ''metropole'' (or "mother country"). This separated rule was often orga ...
of
Samothrace
Samothrace (also known as Samothraki; , ) is a Greek island in the northern Aegean Sea. It is a municipality within the Evros regional unit of Thrace. The island is long, in size and has a population of 2,596 (2021 census). Its main industries ...
. Alexandroupolis, as well as the whole area from the
Evros Delta to
Lake Vistonida and the foothills of
Rhodope Mountains
The Rhodopes (; , ; , ''Rodopi''; ) are a mountain range in Southeastern Europe, and the largest by area in Bulgaria, with over 83% of its area in the southern part of the country and the remainder in Greece. Golyam Perelik is its highest peak ...
, was inhabited by
Cicones, a Thracian people with whom, according to mythology,
Odysseus
In Greek mythology, Greek and Roman mythology, Odysseus ( ; , ), also known by the Latin variant Ulysses ( , ; ), is a legendary Greeks, Greek king of Homeric Ithaca, Ithaca and the hero of Homer's Epic poetry, epic poem, the ''Odyssey''. Od ...
and his comrades clashed on their return from
Troy
Troy (/; ; ) or Ilion (; ) was an ancient city located in present-day Hisarlik, Turkey. It is best known as the setting for the Greek mythology, Greek myth of the Trojan War. The archaeological site is open to the public as a tourist destina ...
.
Alexandroupolis benefits from its position at the centre of land and sea routes connecting Greece with
Turkey
Turkey, officially the Republic of Türkiye, is a country mainly located in Anatolia in West Asia, with a relatively small part called East Thrace in Southeast Europe. It borders the Black Sea to the north; Georgia (country), Georgia, Armen ...
.
Landmarks in Alexandroupolis include the lighthouse in the port, the archaeological sites of the
Mesimvria Zone, the city's waterfront (the centre of commercial activity), the Ethnological Museum of Thrace, the thermal springs (Hana) of
Traianoupoli
Traianoupoli () or Traianopolis in Thrace, Trajanopolis or Trajanople was a medieval settlement in the 14th century in the Evros regional unit of East Macedonia and Thrace region, northeastern Greece, nowadays named Loutra Traianoupoleos.
Traian ...
, the cave of the
Cyclops
In Greek mythology and later Roman mythology, the Cyclopes ( ; , ''Kýklōpes'', "Circle-eyes" or "Round-eyes"; singular Cyclops ; , ''Kýklōps'') are giant one-eyed creatures. Three groups of Cyclopes can be distinguished. In Hesiod's ''Th ...
Polyphemus
Polyphemus (; , ; ) is the one-eyed giant son of Poseidon and Thoosa in Greek mythology, one of the Cyclopes described in Homer's ''Odyssey''. His name means "abounding in songs and legends", "many-voiced" or "very famous". Polyphemus first ap ...
and the nearby
Evros delta
Delta commonly refers to:
* Delta (letter) (Δ or δ), the fourth letter of the Greek alphabet
* D (NATO phonetic alphabet: "Delta"), the fourth letter in the Latin alphabet
* River delta, at a river mouth
* Delta Air Lines, a major US carrier ...
.
[
Alexandroupolis has developed into a strategic port for both Greece and ]NATO
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO ; , OTAN), also called the North Atlantic Alliance, is an intergovernmental organization, intergovernmental Transnationalism, transnational military alliance of 32 Member states of NATO, member s ...
in 2022, complementing the port of Souda
Souda () is a town and former municipality in the Chania regional unit, Crete, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Chania, of which it is a municipal unit. The municipal unit has an area of . It is an imp ...
in southern Greece.
Name
The modern city of Alexandroupolis was founded as a small fishing village in the early 19th century under the Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman Empire (), also called the Turkish Empire, was an empire, imperial realm that controlled much of Southeast Europe, West Asia, and North Africa from the 14th to early 20th centuries; it also controlled parts of southeastern Centr ...
, by fishermen from Ainos and the villages of Makri and Maroneia
Maroneia () is a village and a former municipality in Rhodope regional unit, East Macedonia and Thrace, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Maroneia-Sapes, of which it is a municipal unit. The munic ...
.[ It became known as Dedeagach (; ; ). The name supposedly comes from an old Turkish wise man (Turkish ''dede'') who spent much of his time under the shade of a tree (''ağaç'') and was eventually buried beside it. From the first days of the city's capture (14 May 1920), the local authorities as well as the Metropolitan, decided to rename the city from ''Dedeağaç'' to Neapoli ("new city"), as it was the newest Greek city. In 1920, King ]Alexander I of Greece
Alexander () is a male name of Greek origin. The most prominent bearer of the name is Alexander the Great, the king of the Ancient Greek kingdom of Macedonia who created one of the largest empires in ancient history.
Variants listed here are ...
visited the city, and the local authorities renamed the city Alexandroupoli ("city of Alexander") in his honor, with the approval of the central government.
History
From Neolithic Period to the 19th century
Human settlements appear since the Neolithic Period
The Neolithic or New Stone Age (from Greek 'new' and 'stone') is an archaeological period, the final division of the Stone Age in Mesopotamia, Asia, Europe and Africa (c. 10,000 BCE to c. 2,000 BCE). It saw the Neolithic Revolution, a wid ...
(4500-3000 BC) at the southeast end of Western Thrace
Western Thrace or West Thrace (, '' ytikíThráki'' ), also known as Greek Thrace or Aegean Thrace, is a geographical and historical region of Greece, between the Nestos and Evros rivers in the northeast of the country; East Thrace, which lie ...
. In the Bronze Age
The Bronze Age () was a historical period characterised principally by the use of bronze tools and the development of complex urban societies, as well as the adoption of writing in some areas. The Bronze Age is the middle principal period of ...
(3000-1050 BC) there is no strong evidence of active city participation. During the Early Iron Age
The Iron Age () is the final epoch of the three historical Metal Ages, after the Chalcolithic and Bronze Age. It has also been considered as the final age of the three-age division starting with prehistory (before recorded history) and progr ...
(1050-650 BC) the various Thracian
The Thracians (; ; ) were an Indo-European speaking people who inhabited large parts of Southeast Europe in ancient history.. "The Thracians were an Indo-European people who occupied the area that today is shared between north-eastern Greece, ...
tribes appeared and settled in mountainous and, more rarely, in lowland areas. In the Byzantine Period
The Byzantine Empire, also known as the Eastern Roman Empire, was the continuation of the Roman Empire centred on Constantinople during late antiquity and the Middle Ages. Having survived History of the Roman Empire, the events that caused the ...
, the region which covers the modern city of Alexandroupolis played a leading role, because the city bordered Constantinople
Constantinople (#Names of Constantinople, see other names) was a historical city located on the Bosporus that served as the capital of the Roman Empire, Roman, Byzantine Empire, Byzantine, Latin Empire, Latin, and Ottoman Empire, Ottoman empire ...
. For this reason the settlement was guarded by powerful military installations. In the following years, up to the 19th century, the city seems to have been deserted and covered by forests and wild trees.
Ottoman era
The modern city was first settled in the 19th century, under the Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman Empire (), also called the Turkish Empire, was an empire, imperial realm that controlled much of Southeast Europe, West Asia, and North Africa from the 14th to early 20th centuries; it also controlled parts of southeastern Centr ...
. Long used as a landing ground for fishermen from the opposite coast of Samothrace
Samothrace (also known as Samothraki; , ) is a Greek island in the northern Aegean Sea. It is a municipality within the Evros regional unit of Thrace. The island is long, in size and has a population of 2,596 (2021 census). Its main industries ...
, a hamlet developed in the area during the construction of a railway line connecting Constantinople
Constantinople (#Names of Constantinople, see other names) was a historical city located on the Bosporus that served as the capital of the Roman Empire, Roman, Byzantine Empire, Byzantine, Latin Empire, Latin, and Ottoman Empire, Ottoman empire ...
to the major cities of Macedonia
Macedonia (, , , ), most commonly refers to:
* North Macedonia, a country in southeastern Europe, known until 2019 as the Republic of Macedonia
* Macedonia (ancient kingdom), a kingdom in Greek antiquity
* Macedonia (Greece), a former administr ...
from Pythio
Pythio (Greek: Πύθιο, Turkish: Kuleliburgaz), also referred to as Pythion (Πύθιον), is a village and community in the eastern part of Didymoteicho municipality, Evros regional unit, Greece. It is 16 km east of the centre of Didy ...
. The work was part of an effort to modernise the Empire, and was assigned to engineers from Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary, also referred to as the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Dual Monarchy or the Habsburg Monarchy, was a multi-national constitutional monarchy in Central Europe#Before World War I, Central Europe between 1867 and 1918. A military ...
. The settlement grew into a fishing village, Dedeağaç.
In 1873 it was made the chief town of a ''kaza
A kaza (, "judgment" or "jurisdiction") was an administrative divisions of the Ottoman Empire, administrative division of the Ottoman Empire. It is also discussed in English under the names district, subdistrict, and juridical district. Kazas co ...
'', to which it gave its name, and a ''kaymakam
Kaymakam, also known by #Names, many other romanizations, was a title used by various officials of the Ottoman Empire, including acting grand viziers, governors of provincial sanjaks, and administrators of district kazas. The title has been reta ...
'' was appointed to it. In 1884 it was promoted to a ''sanjak
A sanjak or sancak (, , "flag, banner") was an administrative division of the Ottoman Empire. The Ottomans also sometimes called the sanjak a liva (, ) from the name's calque in Arabic and Persian.
Banners were a common organization of nomad ...
'', and the governor became a ''mutasarrıf
Mutasarrif, mutesarrif, mutasarriff, or mutesarriff () was the title used in the Ottoman Empire and places like post-Ottoman Iraq for the governor of an administrative district in place of the usual sanjakbey. The Ottoman rank of mutasarrif was e ...
''. In 1889 the Greek archbishopric of Aenus was transferred to Dedeağaç. In the late 19th and early 20th century, Dedeağaç was part of the Adrianople Vilayet.
Russo-Turkish War
Dedeağaç was captured by the Russians during the Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878)
The Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878) was a conflict between the Ottoman Empire and a coalition led by the Russian Empire which included United Principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia, Romania, Principality of Serbia, Serbia, and Principality of ...
. Russian forces settled in the village. The officers in charge saw that reconstruction incorporated wide streets running parallel to each other, allowing the quick advance of troops, and avoided cul-de-sac
A dead end, also known as a ''cul-de-sac'' (; , ), a no-through road or a no-exit road, is a street with only one combined inlet and outlet.
Dead ends are added to roads in urban planning designs to limit traffic in residential areas. Some d ...
s. This was very unlike the narrow alleys, cobbled streets, and dead-ends that were characteristic of Ottoman cities at the time. The city returned to Ottoman control by the end of the war. The brief Russian presence had a lasting effect on the design of Alexandroupolis' streets.
Balkan Wars
The building of a railway station in Dedeağaç led to the development of the village into a town, and a minor trade centre by the end of the century. The town became the seat of a ''pasha
Pasha (; ; ) was a high rank in the Ottoman Empire, Ottoman political and military system, typically granted to governors, generals, dignitary, dignitaries, and others. ''Pasha'' was also one of the highest titles in the 20th-century Kingdom of ...
'' as the capital of a ''sanjak
A sanjak or sancak (, , "flag, banner") was an administrative division of the Ottoman Empire. The Ottomans also sometimes called the sanjak a liva (, ) from the name's calque in Arabic and Persian.
Banners were a common organization of nomad ...
''. Ottoman control of the town lasted until the Balkan Wars
The Balkan Wars were two conflicts that took place in the Balkans, Balkan states in 1912 and 1913. In the First Balkan War, the four Balkan states of Kingdom of Greece (Glücksburg), Greece, Kingdom of Serbia, Serbia, Kingdom of Montenegro, M ...
. On 8 November 1912, Dedeağaç and its station was captured by Bulgaria
Bulgaria, officially the Republic of Bulgaria, is a country in Southeast Europe. It is situated on the eastern portion of the Balkans directly south of the Danube river and west of the Black Sea. Bulgaria is bordered by Greece and Turkey t ...
n forces with the assistance of the Hellenic Navy
The Hellenic Navy (HN; , abbreviated ΠΝ) is the Navy, naval force of Greece, part of the Hellenic Armed Forces. The modern Greek navy historically hails from the naval forces of various Aegean Islands, which fought in the Greek War of Independ ...
. Bulgaria and Greece were allies during the First Balkan War
The First Balkan War lasted from October 1912 to May 1913 and involved actions of the Balkan League (the Kingdoms of Kingdom of Bulgaria, Bulgaria, Kingdom of Serbia, Serbia, Kingdom of Greece, Greece and Kingdom of Montenegro, Montenegro) agai ...
, but opponents in the Second Balkan War
The Second Balkan War was a conflict that broke out when Kingdom of Bulgaria, Bulgaria, dissatisfied with its share of the spoils of the First Balkan War, attacked its former allies, Kingdom of Serbia, Serbia and Kingdom of Greece, Greece, on 1 ...
. Dedeağaç was captured by Greek forces on 11 July 1913. The Treaty of Bucharest (10 August 1913) determined that Dedeağaç would be returned to Bulgaria along with the rest of Western Thrace
Western Thrace or West Thrace (, '' ytikíThráki'' ), also known as Greek Thrace or Aegean Thrace, is a geographical and historical region of Greece, between the Nestos and Evros rivers in the northeast of the country; East Thrace, which lie ...
.
In September 1913, after the end of the Second Balkan War
The Second Balkan War was a conflict that broke out when Kingdom of Bulgaria, Bulgaria, dissatisfied with its share of the spoils of the First Balkan War, attacked its former allies, Kingdom of Serbia, Serbia and Kingdom of Greece, Greece, on 1 ...
, about 12,000 Bulgarian refugees took refuge in the outskirts of the city. They were from 17 different villages all over the Western Thrace
Western Thrace or West Thrace (, '' ytikíThráki'' ), also known as Greek Thrace or Aegean Thrace, is a geographical and historical region of Greece, between the Nestos and Evros rivers in the northeast of the country; East Thrace, which lie ...
fleeing ethnic cleansing.
World War I
The defeat of Bulgaria by the Allies
An alliance is a relationship among people, groups, or states that have joined together for mutual benefit or to achieve some common purpose, whether or not an explicit agreement has been worked out among them. Members of an alliance are calle ...
in World War I
World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...
(1914–1918) ensured another change of hands for the town. Western Thrace was withdrawn from Bulgaria under the terms of the 1919 Treaty of Neuilly
The Treaty of Neuilly-sur-Seine (; ) was a treaty between the victorious Allies of World War I on the one hand, and Bulgaria, one of the defeated Central Powers in World War I, on the other. The treaty required Bulgaria to cede various territor ...
. Alexandroupolis was under temporary management of the Entente led by French General Charpy. In the second half of April 1920 prime ministers of the main allies of the Entente powers (except United States), gave Western Thrace to Greece at the San Remo conference
The San Remo conference was an international meeting of the post-World War I Allied Supreme Council as an outgrowth of the Paris Peace Conference, held at Castle Devachan in Sanremo, Italy, from 19 to 26 April 1920. The San Remo Resolution ...
. Bulgaria retained the right of transit to use the port of Dedeagach to transport goods through the Aegean Sea
The Aegean Sea is an elongated embayment of the Mediterranean Sea between Europe and Asia. It is located between the Balkans and Anatolia, and covers an area of some . In the north, the Aegean is connected to the Marmara Sea, which in turn con ...
.
The change of guard between French and Greek officials occurred on 14 May 1920, in the city's Post Office. In the interior of the Post Office there is a memorial plaque concerning this event. The city was soon visited by Alexander of Greece
Alexander (, romanized: ''Aléxandros''; 1 August 189325 October 1920) was King of Greece from 11 June 1917 until his death on 25 October 1920.
The second son of King Constantine I, Alexander was born in the summer palace of Tatoi on ...
. He was the first King of Greece
The Kingdom of Greece was ruled by the House of Wittelsbach from 1832 to 1862 and by the House of Glücksburg from 1863 to 1924 and, after being temporarily abolished in favor of the Second Hellenic Republic, again from 1935 to 1973, when it ...
to visit the town which was renamed in his honour.
Greco-Turkish War
Following the defeat of Greece in the Greco-Turkish War (1919–1922), the Greek Army under General
A general officer is an Officer (armed forces), officer of high rank in the army, armies, and in some nations' air force, air and space forces, marines or naval infantry.
In some usages, the term "general officer" refers to a rank above colone ...
Theodoros Pangalos
Theodoros Pangalos (, romanized: ''Theódoros Pángalos''; 11 January 1878 – 26 February 1952) was a Greek general, politician and dictator. A distinguished staff officer and an ardent Venizelist and anti-royalist, Pangalos played a leading r ...
retreated from Eastern Thrace
East Thrace or Eastern Thrace, also known as Turkish Thrace or European Turkey, is the part of Turkey that is geographically in Southeast Europe. Turkish Thrace accounts for 3.03% of Turkey's land area and 15% of its population. The largest c ...
to the area of Alexandroupolis. Bulgaria used the opportunity of the Greek defeat to demand that Alexandroupolis either be returned to Bulgarian control or declared a neutral zone under international control. Both demands were rejected by the Greek leadership and found no support in the League of Nations
The League of Nations (LN or LoN; , SdN) was the first worldwide intergovernmental organisation whose principal mission was to maintain world peace. It was founded on 10 January 1920 by the Paris Peace Conference (1919–1920), Paris Peace ...
. The Treaty of Lausanne
The Treaty of Lausanne (, ) is a peace treaty negotiated during the Lausanne Conference of 1922–1923 and signed in the Palais de Rumine in Lausanne, Switzerland, on 24 July 1923. The treaty officially resolved the conflict that had initially ...
(24 July 1923) affirmed the Greek sovereignty of Western Thrace
Western Thrace or West Thrace (, '' ytikíThráki'' ), also known as Greek Thrace or Aegean Thrace, is a geographical and historical region of Greece, between the Nestos and Evros rivers in the northeast of the country; East Thrace, which lie ...
.
World War II
During World War II
World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
the Nazis gave Alexandroupolis to their Bulgarian partners. Alexandroupolis was under Bulgarian occupation between May 1941 and 1944. Before the war the city had a Jewish community of 150 members. The city suffered destruction of its Jewish population by Bulgarian forces. In March 1943 the Jews were deported to the Nazi death camps, where they were exterminated. Only 4 Jews survived. The city suffered some damage to buildings and a loss of population during the war.
Alexandroupolis was largely spared the effects of the Greek Civil War
The Greek Civil War () took place from 1946 to 1949. The conflict, which erupted shortly after the end of World War II, consisted of a Communism, Communist-led uprising against the established government of the Kingdom of Greece. The rebels decl ...
(1946–1949). Forces of the communist Democratic Army of Greece
The Democratic Army of Greece (DAG; , ΔΣΕ; ''Dimokratikós Stratós Elládas'', DSE) was the army founded by the Communist Party of Greece during the Greek Civil War (1946–1949). At its height, it had a strength of around 50,000 men and w ...
in and around the town area were small and loosely organized, resulting in the absence of major battles in the area. The return of peace allowed for Alexandroupolis to grow from a town of 16,332 residents in 1951 to a city of 57,812 residents by 2011.
Changes in local governance
Since 1930, Alexandroupolis has been in the Evros regional unit in the administrative region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace
Eastern Macedonia and Thrace ( ; , ) is one of the thirteen Regions of Greece, administrative regions of Greece. It consists of the northeastern parts of the country, comprising the eastern part of the Geographic regions of Greece, region of ...
, in the historical region of Western Thrace
Western Thrace or West Thrace (, '' ytikíThráki'' ), also known as Greek Thrace or Aegean Thrace, is a geographical and historical region of Greece, between the Nestos and Evros rivers in the northeast of the country; East Thrace, which lie ...
. In 2006, the province of Alexandroupolis was abolished. In 2011, the municipality of Alexandroupolis was created by the merger of three former municipalities of Alexandroupolis, Feres and Traianoupoli
Traianoupoli () or Traianopolis in Thrace, Trajanopolis or Trajanople was a medieval settlement in the 14th century in the Evros regional unit of East Macedonia and Thrace region, northeastern Greece, nowadays named Loutra Traianoupoleos.
Traian ...
. The municipality currently has an area of 1,216.954 km2, and is divided into the communities of Aisymi, Avas, Kirki, Makri and Sykorrachi. As of May 2019, the mayor of Alexandroupolis is Ioannis Zampoukis.
Geography
Alexandroupolis is about west of the delta of the Evros, 40 km from the border with Turkey
Turkey, officially the Republic of Türkiye, is a country mainly located in Anatolia in West Asia, with a relatively small part called East Thrace in Southeast Europe. It borders the Black Sea to the north; Georgia (country), Georgia, Armen ...
, from Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki (; ), also known as Thessalonica (), Saloniki, Salonika, or Salonica (), is the second-largest city in Greece (with slightly over one million inhabitants in its Thessaloniki metropolitan area, metropolitan area) and the capital cit ...
on the newly constructed A2 ''Egnatia Odos'' motorway, and from Athens
Athens ( ) is the Capital city, capital and List of cities and towns in Greece, largest city of Greece. A significant coastal urban area in the Mediterranean, Athens is also the capital of the Attica (region), Attica region and is the southe ...
. Around the city are small fishing villages like Makri and Dikella to the west, and suburban Maistros, Apalos, Antheia, Aristino, Nipsa, Loutra to the east, while north of the city are the Palagia, Avantas, Aissymi, and Kirki. At the 2001 census, the main city had a population of 48,885 and the municipal unit had a population of 52,720. The current metropolitan population is estimated at 70,000 inhabitants, and its area covers the southern portion of the regional unit, running from the Rhodope regional unit to the Evros Delta. Besides Alexandroupolis, its other largest settlements are the villages of Mákri (pop. 820), Ávas (497), Sykorráchi (309), Aisými (289), and Díkella (288).
Climate
Alexandroupolis has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate
A Mediterranean climate ( ), also called a dry summer climate, described by Köppen and Trewartha as ''Cs'', is a temperate climate type that occurs in the lower mid-latitudes (normally 30 to 44 north and south latitude). Such climates typic ...
(''Csa'') with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. The lowest temperature ever recorded is on 15 February 1985 while the highest temperature ever recorded is on 18 July 2024.
Transport
Alexandroupolis is accessible by air, rail, road and ferry. It has an international port, the A2 ''Egnatia Odos'' motorway, the airport "Dimokritos" and a railway connection with other cities. There are cycle lanes in the city centre.
Airport
Alexandroupolis is served by Dimokritos International Airport (IATA:AXD) in the suburbs of Apalos, about 6 km from Alexandroupolis city center. There are daily flights to Athens
Athens ( ) is the Capital city, capital and List of cities and towns in Greece, largest city of Greece. A significant coastal urban area in the Mediterranean, Athens is also the capital of the Attica (region), Attica region and is the southe ...
, and several days per week flights to Crete
Crete ( ; , Modern Greek, Modern: , Ancient Greek, Ancient: ) is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, the List of islands by area, 88th largest island in the world and the List of islands in the Mediterranean#By area, fifth la ...
(Heraklion
Heraklion or Herakleion ( ; , , ), sometimes Iraklion, is the largest city and the administrative capital city, capital of the island of Crete and capital of Heraklion (regional unit), Heraklion regional unit. It is the fourth largest city in G ...
and Sitia
Sitia (Latin language, Latin and Italian language, Italian) or Siteia (, ) is a port town and a municipality in Lasithi, Crete, Greece. The town has 11,166 inhabitants and the municipality has 20,438 (2021). It lies east of Agios Nikolaos, Cre ...
). At summer 2024 the direct connection to Larnaca Airport
Larnaca International Airport – Glafcos Clerides is an international airport located southwest of Larnaca, Cyprus. Larnaca International Airport is Cyprus' main international airport and the larger of the two commercial airports in the area ...
will begin. The airport is connected to the city by highway, taxi services, and scheduled bus services.
Seaport
The port of Alexandroupolis has been used principally by travelers. There are daily services to the islands of Samothrace
Samothrace (also known as Samothraki; , ) is a Greek island in the northern Aegean Sea. It is a municipality within the Evros regional unit of Thrace. The island is long, in size and has a population of 2,596 (2021 census). Its main industries ...
and Lemnos
Lemnos ( ) or Limnos ( ) is a Greek island in the northern Aegean Sea. Administratively the island forms a separate municipality within the Lemnos (regional unit), Lemnos regional unit, which is part of the North Aegean modern regions of Greece ...
. Due to its strategic location on NATO's eastern flank, it has important military logistical significance.
Railway
Alexandroupolis has two railway stations: Alexandroupolis dialogi (trading station) and Alexandroupoli
Alexandroupolis (, ) or Alexandroupoli (, ) is a city in Greece and the capital of the Evros (regional unit), Evros regional unit. It is the largest city in Greek Thrace and the region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, with a population of 71,75 ...
or Alexandroupoli Port (for passengers). It is served by trains to Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki (; ), also known as Thessalonica (), Saloniki, Salonika, or Salonica (), is the second-largest city in Greece (with slightly over one million inhabitants in its Thessaloniki metropolitan area, metropolitan area) and the capital cit ...
and to Ormenio. There is an extensive network of train and bus replacements services throughout the region of Evros. There were railway connections to Burgas
Burgas (, ), sometimes transliterated as Bourgas, is the second largest city on the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast in the region of Northern Thrace and the List of cities and towns in Bulgaria, fourth-largest city in Bulgaria after Sofia, Plovdiv, an ...
in Bulgaria and to Edirne
Edirne (; ), historically known as Orestias, Adrianople, is a city in Turkey, in the northwestern part of the Edirne Province, province of Edirne in Eastern Thrace. Situated from the Greek and from the Bulgarian borders, Edirne was the second c ...
and Istanbul
Istanbul is the List of largest cities and towns in Turkey, largest city in Turkey, constituting the country's economic, cultural, and historical heart. With Demographics of Istanbul, a population over , it is home to 18% of the Demographics ...
in Turkey, but those were suspended.
Road transport
The A2 ''Egnatia Odos'' motorway is the largest main road that passes through Alexandroupolis. It connects the city with Igoumenitsa
Igoumenitsa () is a coastal city in northwestern Greece. It is the capital of the regional unit of Thesprotia.
Igoumenitsa is the chief port of Thesprotia and Epirus, and one of the largest passenger ports of Greece, connecting northwestern Main ...
, Ioannina
Ioannina ( ' ), often called Yannena ( ' ) within Greece, is the capital and largest city of the Ioannina (regional unit), Ioannina regional unit and of Epirus (region), Epirus, an Modern regions of Greece, administrative region in northwester ...
, Kozani
Kozani (, ) is a town in northern Greece, capital of Kozani (regional unit), Kozani regional unit and of Western Macedonia. It is located in the western part of Macedonia (Greece), Macedonia, in the northern part of the Aliakmonas, Aliakmonas riv ...
, Grevena
Grevena (, ''Grevená'' ; ) is a town and Communities and Municipalities of Greece, municipality in Western Macedonia, northern Greece, capital of the Grevena (regional unit), Grevena regional unit. The town's current population is 12,515 citizen ...
, Veria
Veria (; ), officially transliterated Veroia, historically also spelled Beroea or Berea, is a city in Central Macedonia, in the geographic region of Macedonia, northern Greece, capital of the regional unit of Imathia. It is located north-nor ...
, Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki (; ), also known as Thessalonica (), Saloniki, Salonika, or Salonica (), is the second-largest city in Greece (with slightly over one million inhabitants in its Thessaloniki metropolitan area, metropolitan area) and the capital cit ...
, Kavala
Kavala (, ''Kavála'' ) is a city in northern Greece, the principal seaport of eastern Macedonia and the capital of Kavala regional unit.
It is situated on the Bay of Kavala, across from the island of Thasos and on the A2 motorway, a one-and ...
, Xanthi
Xanthi is a city in the region of Western Thrace, northeastern Greece. It is the capital of the Xanthi regional unit of the region of East Macedonia and Thrace.
Amphitheatrically built on the foot of Rhodope mountain chain, the city is divided ...
and Komotini
Komotini (, , ), is a city in the Modern regions of Greece, region of East Macedonia and Thrace, northeastern Greece and its capital. It is also the capital of the Rhodope (regional unit), Rhodope. It was the administrative centre of the Rhodope- ...
to the west and Kipoi of Evros to the east. There are bus routes of the Evros Bus Service connecting Alexandroupolis with the cities of Komotini, Xanthi, Kavala and Thessaloniki. There are bus routes that connect Alexandroupolis directly with Athens
Athens ( ) is the Capital city, capital and List of cities and towns in Greece, largest city of Greece. A significant coastal urban area in the Mediterranean, Athens is also the capital of the Attica (region), Attica region and is the southe ...
. There is a frequent daily connection with the other regions of Evros ( Feres, Soufli
Soufli () is a town in the Evros (regional unit), Evros regional unit, Greece, notable for the silk industry that flourished there in the 19th century. The town stands on the eastern slope of the twin hill of Prophet Elias, one of the easternmost s ...
, Didymoteicho
Didymoteicho ( ) is a town located on the eastern edge of the Evros (regional unit), Evros regional unit of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, in northeastern Greece. It is the seat of the municipality of the same name. The town (pop. 8,681 in 2021 ...
, Orestiada
Orestiada (, Katharevousa, formerly ), is the northeasternmost, northernmost and newest city of Greece and the second largest town of the Evros (regional unit), Evros regional unit of western Thrace, Thrace. Founded by Greek refugees from Edirne a ...
, etc.).
Urban Transport
The Urban Bus Service of Alexandroupolis operates 15 routes. They connect the centre to the University
A university () is an educational institution, institution of tertiary education and research which awards academic degrees in several Discipline (academia), academic disciplines. ''University'' is derived from the Latin phrase , which roughly ...
, the hospital, the Airport and surrounding areas such as: Maistros, Makri (and Agia Paraskevi Beach), Palagia, Loutra, Nipsa, Mesembria, Avas, Amfitriti, Aisymi, Dikella and Apalos. Additional routes connect the centre with five districts: Poimenidi, Altinalmazi Park, Agios Vasileios, Exopolis and End of Avantos Street.
Health
Alexandroupolis University General Hospital (PGNA)
The Hospital of Alexandroupolis was founded in 1939 under the name "Alexandroupolis State Hospital". The hospital was divided into two services, Medicine and Administration. The staff of the hospital at that time was 26 people, i.e. 13 administrative staff, 5 scientific and 8 nursing staff. In 1987 it was co-located with the Department of Medicine of the Democritus University of Thrace
The Democritus University of Thrace (DUTH; , ΔΠΘ), established in July 1973, is based in Komotini, Greece and has campuses in cities of Xanthi, Komotini, Alexandroupoli, Orestiada, Didymoteicho, Drama, Greece, Drama and Kavala."''The relation b ...
. In 2002, the merger of the University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis and the General Hospital of Alexandroupolis was completed in one unit under the name "University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis".
The following subsidiary organizations and services are under its jurisdiction: Medical Center of Soufli
Soufli () is a town in the Evros (regional unit), Evros regional unit, Greece, notable for the silk industry that flourished there in the 19th century. The town stands on the eastern slope of the twin hill of Prophet Elias, one of the easternmost s ...
, Medical Center of Samothrace
Samothrace (also known as Samothraki; , ) is a Greek island in the northern Aegean Sea. It is a municipality within the Evros regional unit of Thrace. The island is long, in size and has a population of 2,596 (2021 census). Its main industries ...
(including the Regional Clinics), Technological Education of First Cycle of Nursing (Nursing School). It operates in a building complex with a total area of 93,544 sq.m., within a plot of 200,000 sq.m., the largest hospital ever built in Greece, and covers the needs of the wider region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace
Eastern Macedonia and Thrace ( ; , ) is one of the thirteen Regions of Greece, administrative regions of Greece. It consists of the northeastern parts of the country, comprising the eastern part of the Geographic regions of Greece, region of ...
. The total capacity of the hospital is 673 beds.
Alexandroupolis Military Hospital (216 KICHNE)
In 1953, the operation of the 216th Mobile Campaign Surgical Hospital (KICHNE) began under the administration of Dr. Kampakis Vassilios at the Alexander the Great Camp. The mission of the hospital was to provide treatment to officers and hoplites of local units. In 1960 it stopped receiving patients, and became a recruited unit. In April 1962 it was transferred to the current Patsouka Camp, while it was receiving and treating pathology and surgical patients.
Since 1974 the hospital has been treating and examining patients of the 12th Mechanized Infantry Division "Evros". In 1996 it was renamed to the 492 General Military Hospital and has operated under this name until 2011. Since 2011 it has operated as 216 KICHNE.
Media
Television
There are 3 regional television stations operating in Alexandroupolis: Delta TV, Thraki NET (Thrace Television Network), ALFA TV.
Press
''Daily active newspapers''
* Eleftheri Thraki (Free Thrace)
* I Gnomi tis Thrakis (The opinion of Thrace)
''Weekly active newspapers''
* Mahitis tou Evrou (Fighter of Evros)
* Politis tis Thrakis (Citizen of Thrace)
* Thraki Press (Thrace Press)
Radio
The main Radio Stations broadcasting from Alexandroupolis are:
* NRG
* Polis
* Status Radio
* Thraki Fm
* Heat Radio
* Delta Fm
* Kanali 5 (Channel 5)
* Radio Dee Jay
* Maximum
* Yparho
* Radio Elpida
* Radio Alfa
Sites
Local information in electronic form is done through the pages "e-evros", "Alexpolisonline", "evros24" and "evrosnews".
Culture
Each year, in the summer on the coast avenue of King Alexander, a book exhibition is held. Every two years near the harbor the international trade fair "Alexpo" is organized.
On 14 May each year, the annexation of the city and Thrace
Thrace (, ; ; ; ) is a geographical and historical region in Southeast Europe roughly corresponding to the province of Thrace in the Roman Empire. Bounded by the Balkan Mountains to the north, the Aegean Sea to the south, and the Black Se ...
to Greece is celebrated by a parade. The city's patron saint is Saint Nikolaos, whose feast is celebrated on 6 December each year.
Wine Festival
Until the 1980s in the city, the Wine Festival was held under the auspices of the Greek National Tourism Organization
The Greek National Tourism Organisation (, ''Ethnikos Organismos Tourismou''), often abbreviated as GNTO () is the governmental Board for the promotion of tourism in Greece. It functions under the supervision of the Ministry of Tourism.
History ...
(EOT). This celebration revived after 25 years, in the summer of 2013 at the initiative of the Municipality of Alexandroupolis and is the city's greatest cultural event. The city's and Evros's regional unit cultural associations offer red and white local wine along with various meats.
Nautical Week
In the summer of 2022, the Municipality of Alexandroupolis revived the "Nautical Week" after many years. This fest takes place in July and includes a number of events and activities, which aim to highlight the seamanship and the special relationship of Alexandroupolis and its people with the sea.
Ecopark "Altinalmazis"
Since May 2017, Alexandroupolis has a new 1400-seat garden theatre in "Ecopark Altinalmazis ", where various cultural events such as theatrical performances and concerts are held. It has an area of 135,597 sq.m. (80 acres) and has a refreshment, walkways, green spaces and kiosks. This park is named after Konstantinos Altinalmazis, Alexandroupolis's longest-serving mayor (1925–29, 1929–33, 1933–37,1937-41).
Sights
The Lighthouse of Alexandroupolis
A central attraction and symbol of the city is the Lighthouse (recognized as a cultural heritage monument in 2013) located on the city's promenade (Megalou Alexandrou Street). It was built in 1850 and started operating in 1880, built on the western side of the city's harbor to facilitate the coasting of local sailors who traveled to the area of Hellespont
The Dardanelles ( ; ; ), also known as the Strait of Gallipoli (after the Gallipoli peninsula) and in classical antiquity as the Hellespont ( ; ), is a narrow, natural strait and internationally significant waterway in northwestern Turkey t ...
. It is on a cylindrical pedestal and is 27 meters from the average sea level and 18 meters from the ground, making it one of the tallest lighthouses in Greece
Greece, officially the Hellenic Republic, is a country in Southeast Europe. Located on the southern tip of the Balkan peninsula, it shares land borders with Albania to the northwest, North Macedonia and Bulgaria to the north, and Turkey to th ...
. It operates with electricity and its distinctive feature is its light beam reaching 24 nautical miles (approximately 44 km) and three white blinks every 15 seconds.
Evros Delta National Park
Just 20 miles from the city, the Evros Delta is one of Europe's most important habitats with 200,000-acre area, which is on the list of protected areas of the International Ramsar Convention (1971) due to the significant and rare species of plants (more than 300 species), fauna (40 species of mammals, 28 species of reptiles and 46 species of fish) and birds(320 species). Part of the Delta has been designated as a Special Protection Area
A special protection area (SPA) is a designation under the European Union Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds. Under the Directive, Member States of the European Union (EU) have a duty to safeguard the habitats of migratory birds and cer ...
and is proposed as a Site of Community Interest in the Natura 2000 Network.
Ethnological Museum of Thrace
It is housed in a 1899 built neoclassical stone building on 14 May, 63 street, and has been operating since October 2002 to preserve historical memory in the wider geographical area of Thrace
Thrace (, ; ; ; ) is a geographical and historical region in Southeast Europe roughly corresponding to the province of Thrace in the Roman Empire. Bounded by the Balkan Mountains to the north, the Aegean Sea to the south, and the Black Se ...
. It includes exhibits on the tradition of Thrace and covers the following themes: clothing, music and worship, confectionery, bronze and earthenware, textiles, land cultivation.
Cave of Cyclops
It is located in Makri and is a famous cave of the Cyclops Polyphemus
Polyphemus (; , ; ) is the one-eyed giant son of Poseidon and Thoosa in Greek mythology, one of the Cyclopes described in Homer's ''Odyssey''. His name means "abounding in songs and legends", "many-voiced" or "very famous". Polyphemus first ap ...
according to local folk tradition. It has traces of use since the Neolithic period
The Neolithic or New Stone Age (from Greek 'new' and 'stone') is an archaeological period, the final division of the Stone Age in Mesopotamia, Asia, Europe and Africa (c. 10,000 BCE to c. 2,000 BCE). It saw the Neolithic Revolution, a wid ...
(about 4,500 BC) and today the Neolithic settlement, one of the most important in the Balkans
The Balkans ( , ), corresponding partially with the Balkan Peninsula, is a geographical area in southeastern Europe with various geographical and historical definitions. The region takes its name from the Balkan Mountains that stretch throug ...
, has been discovered.
Mesimbria-Zone
Mesimbria-Zone
Zone, Zones or The Zone may refer to:
Places Military zones
* Zone, any of the divisions of France during the World War II German occupation
* Zone, any of the divisions of Germany during the post-World War II Allied occupation
* Korean Demilit ...
is an archaeological site 20 km from Alexandroupolis. A number of coins and ruins from an ancient city, probably Zone
Zone, Zones or The Zone may refer to:
Places Military zones
* Zone, any of the divisions of France during the World War II German occupation
* Zone, any of the divisions of Germany during the post-World War II Allied occupation
* Korean Demilit ...
, have been found here. It was one of the colony-fortresses of Samothrace
Samothrace (also known as Samothraki; , ) is a Greek island in the northern Aegean Sea. It is a municipality within the Evros regional unit of Thrace. The island is long, in size and has a population of 2,596 (2021 census). Its main industries ...
and flourished in the 5th and 4th centuries BC. The main buildings are: the sanctuary of Demeter
In ancient Greek religion and Greek mythology, mythology, Demeter (; Attic Greek, Attic: ''Dēmḗtēr'' ; Doric Greek, Doric: ''Dāmā́tēr'') is the Twelve Olympians, Olympian goddess of the harvest and agriculture, presiding over cro ...
, the temple of Apollo
Apollo is one of the Twelve Olympians, Olympian deities in Ancient Greek religion, ancient Greek and Ancient Roman religion, Roman religion and Greek mythology, Greek and Roman mythology. Apollo has been recognized as a god of archery, mu ...
, the fortification wall, the walled settlement of the Hellenistic years, the cemetery and the Residences. It is noteworthy that a number of amphorae can be seen that were probably used as a waterproofing system.
Thermal springs of Traianoupoli
The thermal springs of Traianoupoli
Traianoupoli () or Traianopolis in Thrace, Trajanopolis or Trajanople was a medieval settlement in the 14th century in the Evros regional unit of East Macedonia and Thrace region, northeastern Greece, nowadays named Loutra Traianoupoleos.
Traian ...
are 14 km away from the city of Alexandroupolis and are of the most famous hot springs in the region, since ancient times. Hana was an Ottoman inn and behind it during the Ottoman Empire there were baths (hamams), today ruins from the 16th century
The 16th century began with the Julian calendar, Julian year 1501 (represented by the Roman numerals MDI) and ended with either the Julian or the Gregorian calendar, Gregorian year 1600 (MDC), depending on the reckoning used (the Gregorian calend ...
. In 1964, modern facilities for bath therapy and positherapy were rebuilt at the archeological site, which are officially recognized by the Greek state for their healing properties and are considered one of the most important in Greece.
Museums
* Historical Museum of Alexandroupolis (335, Democracy Avenue)
* Ethnological Museum of Thrace (63, 14 May street)
* Archaeological Museum of Alexandroupolis (44, Makris Avenue)
* Ecclesiastical Museum of the Holy Metropolis of Alexandroupolis (Mitropoleos Square)
* Folklore Museum of Cappadocian Association of Alexandroupolis (1, Mitropoulou street)
* Museum of Folklore and Natural History (8, Thermopylae street, Nea Chili)
* Museum of Natural History (Platanopathos of Maistros)
* Museum of Flora and Fauna (Art & Culture Center of the Municipality of Alexandroupolis " Georgios Vizyinos")
*Museum of Sarakatsani Tradition ( Aisymi)
Historic Preserved Buildings of architectural interest
File:Ζαρίφειος Σχολή.jpg, Zariphios Educational Academy founded by Georgios Zariphis
File:Kapnomagazo.jpg, Old "Kapnomagazo" (tobacco store), the new municipal library of Alexandroupolis
File:Alexandroupolis port (August 2022).jpg, Alexandroupoli's port customs buildings
File:3rd Public Primary School, Alexadroupolis.jpg, The 3rd Primary school of Alexandroupolis which is housed in the courtyard of the Metropolis
* Zariphios Pedagogical Academy
* Kapnomagazo (Tobacco store), now municipal library
* Old Hospital
* Democritus University of Thrace Building (Reading room)
* Port Customs Buildings
* 1st Primary School
* 3rd Primary School
* Building of Missionary Action
Education
Alexandroupolis houses four Departments of the Democritus University of Thrace
The Democritus University of Thrace (DUTH; , ΔΠΘ), established in July 1973, is based in Komotini, Greece and has campuses in cities of Xanthi, Komotini, Alexandroupoli, Orestiada, Didymoteicho, Drama, Greece, Drama and Kavala."''The relation b ...
. These Departments are the following:
*Department of Medicine
*Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics
*Department of Primary Level Education
*Department of Education Sciences in Early Childhood
Some highly specialised medical operations are performed in the new Regional General University Hospital – Research center, currently the largest one in Greece
Greece, officially the Hellenic Republic, is a country in Southeast Europe. Located on the southern tip of the Balkan peninsula, it shares land borders with Albania to the northwest, North Macedonia and Bulgaria to the north, and Turkey to th ...
. The Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics is the only one in Greece in this scientific field.
The city has a network of public schools, from nurseries to high schools, under the responsibility of the city council.
Sport
Volleyball
The Volleyball team of Ethnikos Alexandroupolis has a long-standing presence in the Greek Volleyleague with a long history in the sport, being the first provincial team to participate in the A1 Volleyball championship (42 years). He has made significant progress in all three home titles (Championship
In sport, a championship is a competition in which the aim is to decide which individual or team is the champion.
Championship systems
Various forms of competition can be referred to by the term championship.
Title match system
In this sys ...
, Cup
A cup is an open-top vessel (container) used to hold liquids for drinking, typically with a flattened hemispherical shape, and often with a capacity of about . Cups may be made of pottery (including porcelain), glass, metal, wood, stone, pol ...
, League Cup), reaching the final (2014
The year 2014 was marked by the surge of the Western African Ebola epidemic, West African Ebola epidemic, which began in 2013, becoming the List of Ebola outbreaks, most widespread outbreak of the Ebola, Ebola virus in human history, resul ...
) and 8 times the first 4 teams in ranking, but also in European competitions, reaching two times the quarterfinals of the CEV Challenge Cup
The CEV Challenge Cup is the third tier official competition for men's volleyball clubs from the whole of Europe.
The competition started in the 1980–81 season under the name CEV Cup. In 2007 it was renamed to CEV Challenge Cup.
History
* # ...
in 2015
2015 was designated by the United Nations as:
* International Year of Light
* International Year of Soil __TOC__
Events
January
* January 1 – Lithuania officially adopts the euro as its currency, replacing the litas, and becomes ...
and 2016
2016 was designated as:
* International Year of Pulses by the sixty-eighth session of the United Nations General Assembly.
* International Year of Global Understanding (IYGU) by the International Council for Science (ICSU), the Internationa ...
. He has also featured great athletes of the Greek and global volleyball such as Marios Giourdas
Marios Giourdas (sometimes written as Gkiourdas) (Greek: Μάριος Γκιούρδας; born 2 March 1973) is a Greek male former volleyball player. He was part of the Greece men's national volleyball team. He competed with the national team a ...
, Theodoros Baev and Andreas Andreadis, while Thanassis Moustakidis, Andrej Kravárik and Nikos Samaras also wore his shirt. He has also won many national championships in the infrastructure departments. In total, she has won 6 Greek U21 championships (1976, 1987, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2023), 2 Greek U18 championships (2008, 2011), 3 Greek U16 championships (2007, 2008, 2009). The headquarters of the team is the closed gym of "Michalis Paraskevopoulos", 1000 seats, located next to the " Fotis Kosmas" athletic stadium.
Other city's Volleyball Teams are:
* G.S.G. Nike Alexandroupolis: Women's team with 9 participations in Women's Greek Volleyball Championship and best place the 4th (1997–98), that allowed the team to participate in Challenge Cup
The Rugby Football League Challenge Cup, commonly known just as the Challenge Cup is a Single-elimination tournament, knockout rugby league cup competition organised by the Rugby Football League, held annually since 1896, it is the world's old ...
. Nike has won 2 National Junior championships (1990, 1992) and 1 National Girls Championship (1989).
* G.E. Alexandroupolis, which has competed in the A2 Men's Volleyball category.
* Finikas Alexandroupolis, women's volleyball team, which competes in the A2 Women's Volleyball category
Football
The main sporting facilities are situated around the football and athletics stadium '' Fotis Kosmas''. The stadium hosts various football teams, such as:
Basketball
There are two basketball teams in the city: Ethnikos Alexandroupolis and Olympiada Alexandroupolis. Each game between them is a local derby. These two teams compete in the regional basketball championship of East Macedonia and Thrace. Ethnikos Alexandroupolis has celebrated two rises and participations in the Greek C Basket League
The Greek C Basket League, or Greek C Basketball League (), is a national basketball league in Greece. It is the 4th-tier level of the basketball league system in Greece, and was founded in 1985. It is also known as National League 2. It is organ ...
(1995, 2014), counting equal relegations. The biggest success of the team's academy is the 3rd place in the National Children Basketball Championship in 1983/84.
The U14 Girls' team of Olympiada Alexandroupolis has won three consecutive times the U14 championship of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace
Eastern Macedonia and Thrace ( ; , ) is one of the thirteen Regions of Greece, administrative regions of Greece. It consists of the northeastern parts of the country, comprising the eastern part of the Geographic regions of Greece, region of ...
, in 2020–2021, 2021-2022 and 2022–2023. Also, in 2021-2022 and in 2022-23 qualified to the Greek U14 Girls' Basketball Championship, placing 8th and 7th respectively in Greece in this age category.
Handball-Beach Handball
In beach handball the team of Kyklopes Alexandroupolis has won 6 Greek Men's Beach Handball Championships, 4 of them consecutive (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019), 1 Greek Men's Beach Handball Cup (2022) and 2 Greek Women's Beach Handball Cup (2022, 2024). The women's handball team has 7 participations in the Women's A1 Handball Championship with best place the third in 1994-95 that allowed the team to participate in Challenge Cup
The Rugby Football League Challenge Cup, commonly known just as the Challenge Cup is a Single-elimination tournament, knockout rugby league cup competition organised by the Rugby Football League, held annually since 1896, it is the world's old ...
next year. Also the men's handball team of Kyklopes participates in the A2 Ethniki Handball
A2 Ethniki Handball is the 2nd-tier of Greek handball championship. It is held in two groups with teams separated according to geographical criteria. The first teams of each group promoted to A1 Ethniki. In recent year, the champions were Aris Ni ...
. The second team of the city is Asteras Alexandroupolis.
Swimming
In June 2013 was inaugurated the new Municipal Swimming Pool of Alexandroupolis " Dimosthenis Michalentzakis", which is the most modern swimming pool in Greece in terms of technical equipment and one of the most modern in Europe. In this place have been hosted major international events, such as the international synchronized swimming meeting Hellas Beetles Fina Artistic Swimming World Series, in April 2019. It is the headquarters of the swimming clubs: OFTHA and NOA, but also of the polo team of Ethnikos Alexandroupolis. The OFTHA team has held the first place in Thrace for several years and is one of the top clubs in Greece, while many of its athletes have achieved distinctions in national championships. Also, 3 disabled swimmers from Alexandroupolis are members of the National Team and represent Greece at the World Para Swimming Championships and Paralympic Games
The Paralympic Games or Paralympics is a periodic series of international multisport events involving athletes with a range of disability, disabilities. There are Winter Paralympic Games, Winter and Summer Paralympic Games, which since the 1988 ...
: Dimosthenis Michalentzakis (Gold Paralympic Medal in 2016
2016 was designated as:
* International Year of Pulses by the sixty-eighth session of the United Nations General Assembly.
* International Year of Global Understanding (IYGU) by the International Council for Science (ICSU), the Internationa ...
at 100 m. butterfly S9), Dimitrios Karypidis (4th Paralympian in 2021
Like the year 2020, 2021 was also heavily defined by the COVID-19 pandemic, due to the emergence of multiple Variants of SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19 variants. The major global rollout of COVID-19 vaccines, which began at the end of 2020, continued ...
at 100 m. backstroke S1) and Alexandros Lergios (first participation at the Paralympic Games
The Paralympic Games or Paralympics is a periodic series of international multisport events involving athletes with a range of disability, disabilities. There are Winter Paralympic Games, Winter and Summer Paralympic Games, which since the 1988 ...
of Tokyo, 2021).
Track
The track team of Ethnikos Alexandroupolis also has a great tradition as has been in the first 10 teams of the Greek track championship ranking 4 times in men (1953, 1955, 1956, 1958), best place the 4th (1956), and in women (1959, 1989, 1990, 1991), best place also the 4th (1959). It has featured great athletes such as: Hrysopigi Devetzi, Dimosthenis Magginas and Fotis Kosmas. Many athletes of the team have won Panhellenic and Balkan medals in development categories.
Table Tennis
The last 10 years, Ethnikos Alexandroupolis has been consistently among the top 10 teams in Greece according to the Hellenic Table Tennis Federation rating tables. The women's team participates in the Greek Women's First Division (A1), while the men's team participates in the Greek Men's Second Division (A2).
As far as infrastructure teams are concerned, the club was 4 times in the finals of the Panhellenic Junior Children Championship (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019). In 2017 he won the 1st place and was the Greek Champion in this category, while in 2016, 2017, 2019 he won the 2nd place in Greece. In the category of Children, in 2017, 2018 and 2022 the team of Ethnikos Alexandroupolis took the 3rd place in the Panhellenic Table Tennis Championship, while in 2019 was the champion in this category and climbed to the top of Greece. In 2019, Ethnikos Alexandroupolis took the 2nd place in the Panhellenic Table Tennis Championship in the category of Young Women.
Athletes of the club are at the top of the federation's ranking list by winning cups and medals at the Panhellenic Open Championships.
Badminton
Since 2018, the Badminton department of Ethnikos Alexandroupolis has been competing in the A1 Greek Badminton Division, while club's athletes have won medals at the Panhellenic Development Championships.
Rugby
In 2009, the stadium hosted an international rugby match between Greece
Greece, officially the Hellenic Republic, is a country in Southeast Europe. Located on the southern tip of the Balkan peninsula, it shares land borders with Albania to the northwest, North Macedonia and Bulgaria to the north, and Turkey to th ...
and Bulgaria
Bulgaria, officially the Republic of Bulgaria, is a country in Southeast Europe. It is situated on the eastern portion of the Balkans directly south of the Danube river and west of the Black Sea. Bulgaria is bordered by Greece and Turkey t ...
; the match was the first time that Greece had played a home match outside of Attica
Attica (, ''Attikḗ'' (Ancient Greek) or , or ), or the Attic Peninsula, is a historical region that encompasses the entire Athens metropolitan area, which consists of the city of Athens, the capital city, capital of Greece and the core cit ...
.
Run Greece Alexandroupolis
Since 2014, with the help of the track team of Ethnikos Alexandroupolis, Run Greece Alexandroupolis is held, which continues until today, on the last Sunday of September, co-organized by SEGAS, Municipality of Alexandroupolis and Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace. Run Greece includes 800m race for children and races 5 km, 10 km.
Via Egnatia Run
The international race 'Via Egnatia Run' is an action of Evros Regional Unit which started in 2016 and is being held every May. It is a 21.1 km half-marathon on the route of the Ancient Via Egnatia
The Via Egnatia was a road constructed by the Romans in the 2nd century BC. It crossed Illyricum, Macedonia, and Thracia, running through territory that is now part of modern Albania, North Macedonia, Greece, and European Turkey as a contin ...
, which once connected Constantinople to Rome, culturally, economically and commercially, passing through the ancient city of Sale (today's Alexandroupolis) and Traianoupoli
Traianoupoli () or Traianopolis in Thrace, Trajanopolis or Trajanople was a medieval settlement in the 14th century in the Evros regional unit of East Macedonia and Thrace region, northeastern Greece, nowadays named Loutra Traianoupoleos.
Traian ...
. There is also a race of 5 km, and two races of 800 meters for disabled people and children. It takes place on the Alexandroupolis- Kipoi National Road and the routes have been certified by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races
The Association of International Marathons and Distance Races, also known as AIMS, is an association of the organisers of long-distance road running races. It was founded in 1982 at a meeting in London of marathon race directors. Its membership wa ...
(AIMS). The goal is through the sport to get to know the culture and history of this important route.
Thrace Night Run
Every June Thrace Night Run, which has become an institution the recent years and includes 5 and 10 km runs, is held on the coastal avenue of Alexandroupoli since 2021. The organization is undertaken by the sports club "Dromeas of Thrace" with the support of the Alexandroupoli's Municipality and EAS SEGAS of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace.
International relations
Twin towns – sister cities
* Burgas
Burgas (, ), sometimes transliterated as Bourgas, is the second largest city on the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast in the region of Northern Thrace and the List of cities and towns in Bulgaria, fourth-largest city in Bulgaria after Sofia, Plovdiv, an ...
, Bulgaria (1997)
* Lakatamia
Lakatamia ( ; ) is a southwestern suburb of Nicosia, Cyprus. In terms of population, Lakatamia municipality is the third largest municipality in Nicosia district and the fifth largest municipality in Cyprus (after Limassol, Strovolos, Nicosia and ...
, Cyprus (1993)
* Simferopol
Simferopol ( ), also known as Aqmescit, is the second-largest city on the Crimea, Crimean Peninsula. The city, along with the rest of Crimea, is internationally recognised as part of Ukraine, but controlled by Russia. It is considered the cap ...
, Ukraine (2016)
* Sosnovy Bor, Russia (2011)
* Vyborg (Saint Petersburg), Russia (2016)
* Edirne
Edirne (; ), historically known as Orestias, Adrianople, is a city in Turkey, in the northwestern part of the Edirne Province, province of Edirne in Eastern Thrace. Situated from the Greek and from the Bulgarian borders, Edirne was the second c ...
, Turkey (1997)
Consulate
The city hosts honorary consulate
A consulate is the office of a consul. A type of mission, it is usually subordinate to the state's main representation in the capital of that foreign country (host state), usually an embassy (or, only between two Commonwealth countries, a ...
from the following country:
* Russia
Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a country spanning Eastern Europe and North Asia. It is the list of countries and dependencies by area, largest country in the world, and extends across Time in Russia, eleven time zones, sharing Borders ...
Notable people
* Hrysopiyi Devetzi (1976), Greek athlete, silver Olympic medalist in triple jump ( Athens 2004)
* Fotis Kosmas (1926–1995), Mediterranean and 7th Olympic winner in decathlon
* Aggeliki Tsiolakoudi (1976), second best Greek Javelin thrower
* Dimosthenis Magginas (1982), middle-distance and long-distance runner
* Dimosthenis Michalentzakis (1998), Greek Gold Paralympic champion swimmer in 100 m. butterfly S9 ( Rio, 2016) and Bronze Paralympic Medalist in 100 m. freestyle S8 ( Tokyo, 2021)
*Demis Nikolaidis
Themistoklis "Demis" Nikolaidis (; born 17 September 1973) is a Greek former professional footballer who played as a striker. He was the forty second president of AEK Athens, and is considered one of the greatest forwards Greece has produced. I ...
(1973), Greek former international footballer, Euro 2004
The 2004 UEFA European Football Championship, commonly referred to as Euro 2004, was the 12th edition of the UEFA European Championship, a quadrennial football competition contested by the men's national teams of UEFA member associations. Th ...
champion
* Marinos Ouzounidis (1968), Greek former international footballer, football coach
*Sotiris Mavromatis
Sotiris Mavromatis (; born 21 February 1966) is a Greek retired football midfielder and later manager. He was a squad member for the 1988 UEFA European Under-21 Championship and was capped once for Greece
Greece, officially the Hellenic R ...
(1966), Greek former international footballer. Champion with PAOK
PAOK (, Πανθεσσαλονίκειος Αθλητικός Όμιλος Κωνσταντινοπολιτών, ''Panthessalonikeios Athlitikós Ómilos Constantinopoliton'', ''Pan-Thessalonian Athletic Club of Constantinopolitans''), commonly ...
in 1984-85 and finalist with Greek U-21 national team in UEFA Euro U-21 1988.
* Manolis Siopis (1994), Greek international footballer
* Savvas Gentsoglou (1990), Greek footballer
* Stavros Stathakis (1987), Greek footballer
* Dimitris Komesidis (1988), Greek footballer
*Athanasios Tsigas
Thanasis Tsigas (; born 20 September 1982) is a Greek former footballer, who played as a striker.
Career
He is a professional since 2001 and he played for Paniliakos, Kallithea, PAOK
PAOK (, Πανθεσσαλονίκειος Αθλητ� ...
(1982), Greek former footballer
*Marios Giourdas
Marios Giourdas (sometimes written as Gkiourdas) (Greek: Μάριος Γκιούρδας; born 2 March 1973) is a Greek male former volleyball player. He was part of the Greece men's national volleyball team. He competed with the national team a ...
(1973), Greek former international volleyball player
* Andreas Andreadis (1982), Greek international volleyball player
* Rafail Koumentakis (1993), Greek international volleyball player
* Anestis Dalakouras (1993), Greek international volleyball player
* Paraskevas Tselios (1997), Greek international volleyball player
*Giorgos Valavanidis
Giorgos Valavanidis (; 16 February 1974 – 12 November 2024) was a Greek professional basketball player.
Professional career
Valavanidis's origin is from Alexandroupoli and was raised in the local club of Feres, Evros. He started his career fr ...
(1974-2024), Greek former basketball player, silver medalist with Greece men's national under-16 basketball team in Eurobasket U16 1991, Saporta winner in 1991
It was the final year of the Cold War, which had begun in 1947. During the year, the Soviet Union Dissolution of the Soviet Union, collapsed, leaving Post-soviet states, fifteen sovereign republics and the Commonwealth of Independent State ...
, Greek champion in 1992 and Korac winner in 1994
The year 1994 was designated as the " International Year of the Family" and the "International Year of Sport and the Olympic Ideal" by the United Nations.
In the Line Islands and Phoenix Islands of Kiribati, 1994 had only 364 days, omitti ...
with PAOK
PAOK (, Πανθεσσαλονίκειος Αθλητικός Όμιλος Κωνσταντινοπολιτών, ''Panthessalonikeios Athlitikós Ómilos Constantinopoliton'', ''Pan-Thessalonian Athletic Club of Constantinopolitans''), commonly ...
*Nikos Hadjinikolaou
Nikos Chatzinikolaou () also spelled as Hatzinikolaou, Hatzinicolaou,Chatzinikolaou or Hadjinikolaou (born 1962 in Alexandroupoli) is a Greek journalist and media entrepreneur.
Biography
Chatzinikolaou studied at Panteion University without r ...
(1962), Greek journalist
* Lefteris Hapsiadis (1953–2023), Greek Lyrics creator and writer
* Stavento (Michalis Kouinelis) (1979), Greek hip-hop singer
* Arete Kosmidou (1997), Greek singer
* Gregoris Mentzas (1960), Greek management scientist and professor at the National Technical University of Athens
The National (Metsovian) Technical University of Athens (NTUA; , ''National Metsovian Polytechnic''), sometimes known as Athens Polytechnic, a university in Athens, Greece. It is named in honor of its benefactors Nikolaos Stournaris, Eleni Tosi ...
* Georgios Kandilaptis (1881–1971), Greek scholar, journalist and teacher
Historical population
Alexandroupolis is the 10th largest city in Greece.
Gallery
File:Δέλτα του Έβρου.jpg, Evros Delta
File:Lighthouse at Alexandroupolis, Greece.jpg, The lighthouse of Alexandroupolis
File:Άγαλμα Βισβύζη.jpg, Statue of Domna and Antonis Visvizis, heroes of the Greek War of Independence from Thrace
File:Νομαρχεία Έβρου.jpg, The building of the regional unit of Evros and with an exact copy of the Winged Victory of Samothace in the courtyard
File:Παραλιακή Αλεξανδρούπολης.jpg, View of Alexandroupolis' coastal area
File:Φάρος Αλεξανδρούπολης.jpg, The lighthouse of Alexandroupolis and the coastal road
File:Alexandroupolis seafront.jpg, Sunset in Alexandroupolis
File:St Joseph's Church, Alexandroupoli.JPG, St Joseph's Catholic church
File:20100626 Mesembria Amphorae Building Thrace Greece.jpg, Waterproofing system with amphorae at the archaeological site of Mesembria-Zone
Zone, Zones or The Zone may refer to:
Places Military zones
* Zone, any of the divisions of France during the World War II German occupation
* Zone, any of the divisions of Germany during the post-World War II Allied occupation
* Korean Demilit ...
File:Monastery of Panagia Kosmosotira, Ferres, Evros.JPG, The church of Theotokos Kosmosoteira in Feres
File:Ottoman Baths at Traianoupoli Greece.JPG, Ottoman baths in nearby Traianoupoli
Traianoupoli () or Traianopolis in Thrace, Trajanopolis or Trajanople was a medieval settlement in the 14th century in the Evros regional unit of East Macedonia and Thrace region, northeastern Greece, nowadays named Loutra Traianoupoleos.
Traian ...
File:IMAGE.JP2020.jpg, One of 6 windmills in Melia
File:Castle Potamos.jpg, The castle of Avas
File:Alexandroupolis lighthouse (January 2020).jpg, The square of Alexandroupolis' lighthouse
File:Alexandroupolis-sunset.jpg, Sunset on the coastal street of Alexandroupolis
File:Samothraki from Alexandroupolis (2).jpg, View of Samothrace
Samothrace (also known as Samothraki; , ) is a Greek island in the northern Aegean Sea. It is a municipality within the Evros regional unit of Thrace. The island is long, in size and has a population of 2,596 (2021 census). Its main industries ...
from the city
File:Αλεξανδρούπολη παραλιακή.jpg, Sunset with Samothrace
Samothrace (also known as Samothraki; , ) is a Greek island in the northern Aegean Sea. It is a municipality within the Evros regional unit of Thrace. The island is long, in size and has a population of 2,596 (2021 census). Its main industries ...
view
File:Δειλινό Αλεξανδρούπολη.jpg, Sunset in Alexandroupolis
File:Ηλιοβασίλεμα στην Αλεξανδρούπολη.jpg, Sunset in Alexandroupolis
File:Makri coastline, Evros.JPG, View of Samothrace
Samothrace (also known as Samothraki; , ) is a Greek island in the northern Aegean Sea. It is a municipality within the Evros regional unit of Thrace. The island is long, in size and has a population of 2,596 (2021 census). Its main industries ...
from a coastline in Makri
File:ΣΑΜΟΘΡΑΚΗ.jpg, View of snowy Samothrace
Samothrace (also known as Samothraki; , ) is a Greek island in the northern Aegean Sea. It is a municipality within the Evros regional unit of Thrace. The island is long, in size and has a population of 2,596 (2021 census). Its main industries ...
from a beach in Alexandroupolis
File:Coast along Alexandroupoli.JPG, Coast along Alexandroupolis
File:Alexandroupolis beach and Samothraki.jpg, Beach with view to Samothrace
Samothrace (also known as Samothraki; , ) is a Greek island in the northern Aegean Sea. It is a municipality within the Evros regional unit of Thrace. The island is long, in size and has a population of 2,596 (2021 census). Its main industries ...
File:Makri harbour, Evros.JPG, The small harbour of Makri
File:Makri, Evros prefecture, Greece.jpg, The village of Makri
File:Mountainous Landscape, Aetochori, Evros, Greece.jpg, Mountainous landscape in Aetochori
File:Road with small ekklisaki in Dikella.jpg, Road with small church near Dikella
File:Μνημείο Θρακικού Ελληνισμού.jpeg, Monument for Thracian
The Thracians (; ; ) were an Indo-European speaking people who inhabited large parts of Southeast Europe in ancient history.. "The Thracians were an Indo-European people who occupied the area that today is shared between north-eastern Greece, ...
Hellenism in the yard of the metropolitan church
File:Russian monument in Dedeagach of liberation of Bulgaria 1877-78 russo-turk war.jpg, Russian monument in the yard of the metropolitan church for the Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878)
File:Alexandroupolis (11).jpg, Pedestrian area in Alexandroupolis
File:Via Egnatia near Loutra Traianopolis.jpg, Via Egnatia
The Via Egnatia was a road constructed by the Romans in the 2nd century BC. It crossed Illyricum, Macedonia, and Thracia, running through territory that is now part of modern Albania, North Macedonia, Greece, and European Turkey as a contin ...
in Traianoupoli
Traianoupoli () or Traianopolis in Thrace, Trajanopolis or Trajanople was a medieval settlement in the 14th century in the Evros regional unit of East Macedonia and Thrace region, northeastern Greece, nowadays named Loutra Traianoupoleos.
Traian ...
, near Alexandroupolis
File:Olivenhain Alexandroupolis.jpg, Centuries-old olive grove in Alexandroupolis
File:Πλατεία Ελευθερίας Αλεξανδρούπολη.jpg, Eleftherias Square
File:Τζαμί Αλεξανδρούπολης, είσοδος.jpg, Alexandroupolis Mosque
See also
* Burgas-Alexandroupoli pipeline
*List of settlements in the Evros regional unit
This is a list of settlements in the Evros regional unit, Greece:
* Aisymi
* Alepochori
* Alexandroupoli
* Amorio
* Ampelakia
* Antheia
* Ardani
* Arzos
* Asimenio
* Asproneri
* Asvestades
* Avas
* Chandras
* Dadia
* Didymoteicho
* ...
* Ethnikos Alexandroupolis
* Alexandroupolis Airport
*Thrace
Thrace (, ; ; ; ) is a geographical and historical region in Southeast Europe roughly corresponding to the province of Thrace in the Roman Empire. Bounded by the Balkan Mountains to the north, the Aegean Sea to the south, and the Black Se ...
* Evros
References
External links
*
{{Authority control
19th-century establishments in the Ottoman Empire
Populated places established in the 19th century
Mediterranean port cities and towns in Greece
Populated coastal places in Greece
Greek prefectural capitals
Western Thrace
Port cities of the Aegean Sea
Thracian Sea
Municipalities of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace
Populated places in Evros (regional unit)
Alexander of Greece