Agios Athanasios (, before 1926: ) village in the Pella regional unit 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 ...

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 village is located north of

Lake Vegoritida Lake Vegoritida (, ''Limni Vegoritida''), also historically referred to as Lake Ostrovo (, ''Limni Ostrovou''), is one of the largest natural lakes in northern Greece. Located in the region of Macedonia (Greece), Macedonia, it lies 6 km northeast ...

within the Vegoritida municipal unit which belongs to the municipality of

Edessa Edessa (; ) was an ancient city (''polis'') in Upper Mesopotamia, in what is now Urfa or Şanlıurfa, Turkey. It was founded during the Hellenistic period by Macedonian general and self proclaimed king Seleucus I Nicator (), founder of the Sel ...

History and Population

Agios Athanasios is a village located in the Pella regional unit of Central Macedonia, Greece. It is situated in a region known for its historical significance and rich cultural heritage, particularly related to the ancient kingdom of Macedonia. # Location: Agios Athanasios is located near the town of

, a major urban center in the Pella region. The area is known for its natural beauty, including mountains and lakes. # Population: The old village has a small population of 67, while the new village has just over 500 inhabitants (2021 census), primarily composed of ethnic Greeks. The community is largely involved in agriculture, with the surrounding region being fertile and suitable for various crops. # Cultural Heritage: The village, like much of the Pella region, is deeply connected to the history of ancient Macedonia, the birthplace of Alexander the Great. While Agios Athanasios itself does not have major ancient ruins, the region is steeped in history, with nearby archaeological sites such as the ancient city of Pella, the capital of the Macedonian kingdom. # Modern Identity: Today, the village is a quiet, rural community. It reflects the broader trends in the region, where modern Greek culture and identity dominate, though there are traces of historical influences from various periods, including Byzantine and Ottoman. # Language and Ethnicity: The residents of Agios Athanasios primarily speak Greek. While the broader region of Central Macedonia has a history of diverse linguistic and ethnic influences, including Slavic, Vlach, and Turkish, the population in Ayios Athanasios identifies strongly as Greek. Historical Context: The region of

Pella Pella () is an ancient city located in Central Macedonia, Greece. It served as the capital of the Ancient Greece, ancient Greek kingdom of Macedonia (ancient kingdom), Macedon. Currently, it is located 1 km outside the modern town of Pella ...

is historically significant as the heartland of the ancient Macedonian kingdom, with the city of Pella serving as the capital during the reign of Alexander the Great. Byzantine Influence: During the Byzantine period, the area, like much of Macedonia, was under the control of the

Byzantine Empire 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 influence of Byzantine culture, religion, and architecture would have been prevalent, as evidenced by the many Byzantine churches and monasteries found in the wider region. Ottoman Rule: From the late 14th century until the early 20th century, the region, including Agios Athanasios, was part of 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 ...

. This period was marked by the coexistence of different ethnic and religious groups, including Greeks, Turks, and Slavs. Cultural Influences: During Ottoman rule, the region experienced significant cultural and demographic changes, with the introduction of Ottoman administrative practices, and the influence of Islamic culture, though the majority population remained Greek Orthodox. Greek War of Independence: The 19th century saw the

Greek War of Independence The Greek War of Independence, also known as the Greek Revolution or the Greek Revolution of 1821, was a successful war of independence by Greek revolutionaries against the Ottoman Empire between 1821 and 1829. In 1826, the Greeks were assisted ...

(1821–1829), leading to the gradual liberation of Greek territories. However, Agios Athanasios and the wider region of Macedonia remained under Ottoman control until the Balkan Wars in the early 20th century. Balkan Wars: 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 ...

(1912–1913) was pivotal in liberating Macedonia from Ottoman rule. After the wars, Macedonia, including Pella and Agios Athanasios, was incorporated into the modern Greek state. In August 1916 Bulgarian and Serbian forces fought near the village during the Chegan Offensive. 20th Century Developments: Throughout the 20th century, the village, like much of rural Greece, experienced significant changes, including population movements, economic shifts, and the impact of both World Wars and 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 ...

The old village was abandoned by the 1980s and the inhabitants built a new village further down the slopes called Neos Agios Athanasios, however, after 2000, with the popularity of nearby

Voras The Voras Mountains (; also Boras), also known as Nidže (, ) are a mountain range situated on the border between Greece and North Macedonia. It separates the Pella (regional unit), Pella regional unit on the Greek side in the south from the Mar ...

Ski resort on Mt Kaimaktsalan, the old buildings of Agios Athanasios have beem refurbished and the old village has become popular with tourists and skiers. Current Status: * Tourism and Heritage: In recent years, Agios Athanasios and the surrounding region have seen an increase in interest from tourists, particularly those interested in exploring the historical sites of ancient Macedonia, such as the nearby archaeological site of Pella. * Agios Athanasios represents a typical rural village in northern Greece, where ancient history intersects with modern Greek identity.

References

Populated places in Pella (regional unit) Edessa, Greece {{CMacedonia-geo-stub