A WORLD OF LEARNING, COLLABORATION AND CULTURE

Project: A tourist guide of Giannitsa and the area around it.

1ST HIGH SCHOOL OF GIANNITSA-PELLA-GREECE

TOURIST GUIDE BY 3RD FORM STUDENTS ENGLISH CLASS ADVANCED

GIANNITSA Giannitsa (Greek: Γιαννιτσά [ʝaniˈt͡sa], in English also Yannitsa, Yenitsa) is the largest city in the regional unit of Pella and the capital of the Pella municipality, in the region of Central Macedonia in northern Greece. Its population is 31,983 people. The community of Giannitsa includes a few outlying villages. The municipality as a whole includes many villages and has 63,122 inhabitants. The city is located in the center of Macedonia between Mount Paiko and the plain of Giannitsa. About 7 km from Giannitsa are the ruins of ancient Pella, birthplace of Alexander the Great and capital of ancient Macedonia. The city is 48 km from Thessaloniki. Giannitsa is predominantly a rural area. The draining of the Lake Giannitsa left fertile soil for agriculture, leading to population growth in the region.

The clock Tower

The Clock Tower

The Clock Tower, built by the Ottoman conquerors in 1667-1668, is a rectangular building of a height of 25 m made of stone and brick. The building has a richly decorated exterior but interior is slightly decorated. Regarded as the oldest preserved tower, located on Greek territory. On the roof there was a turret, where the clocks were. The tower also served military purposes since from its windows could the Turks control the entire region.

The Metropolis

The church of the Assumption of Mary or the Metropolis is located in the northern area of Giannitsa and constructed between 1858-1867. It is certain that the Sultan allowed its construction in 1858. According to the tradition, the residents offered work selflessly for the construction of the church and it is even said that because of lack of water, they used wine instead.

Philippio park

Philippio is the largest park in the town of Giannitsa, located on a hill under which visitors can find an open amphitheatre of thecapacity of about 3,000 people. A lot of concerts, plays and cultural events take place in the amphitheatre every year during summer.

Philip 2nd Father of Alexander the Great. The statue is in the Filippio park.

“the Black Statue”

The "Black Statue" is the Memorial of the city created by the sculptor Gregory Zevgoli, and placed there in 1925 in memory of the soldiers who gave their lives for the liberation of the city from the Turks in 1912. This statue represents the winged time writing history at the feet of which mother Greece has embraced her son, a slain soldier.It is located at the city entrance.

The Mausoleum of Gazi Evrenos

Gazi Evren was a prominent Ottoman military commander who lived inGiannitsa during the ottoman occupation. He was buried in this mausoleum in 1417.

Mount Paiko

Geography

Morphologically, Paiko is a curvy extension to the NE of the adjacent Voras mountain range. Together they surround the plain of

Aridea. East and south of Paiko are the plains of the Vardar (Axios) river and the plains of Giannitsa respectively.

Hydrology Skra lake and waterfalls.

Paiko is rich in surface as well as underground bodies of water, often potable. Springs exist at the foothills and small wetlands can be found at high altitudes, connected by several streams. Two waterfalls and a

lagoon of blue-green waters are located near the Skra peak.

Loudias River

In the past water from the Voras,Vermio and Paiko mountains, flowed into Giannitsa Lake and then to the Thermaic Gulf. The Loudias now collects water that comes mainly from Mount Paiko and the main sources is close to Aravissos village. A section of the river has been converted into an artificial channel, thus enabling the draining of Lake Giannitsa and its marshlands. Throughout the length of about 60km, the region is fertile. In 1912, during the First Balkan War, this area became the site of the Battle of Giannitsa. Today, following the draining of the lake of Giannitsa, Loudias is no longer a natural river, but basically an artificial canal, 40 km long, receiving the water from the plain of Giannitsa and from part of Imathia plain. Besides, the river is suitable for rowing sports and the town's rowing team as many others train there.

Pedestrian street - Entertainment and meeting place for the citizens

The Cultural town hall

People in Giannitsa have the opportunity to join drama and art clubs and a variety of traditional dancing associations as well.

Culture and sports in Giannitsa

In our town there are a lot of sport associations with distinctionsin women handball and volleyball, rowing and chess.

The Ancient Pella

Pella (Greek: Πέλλα), is an ancient city located in Central Macedonia, Greece, best known as the historical capital of the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon in the time of Alexander the Great. On the site of the ancient city is the Archaeological Museum of Pella.

History   Pella is first mentioned by Herodotus of Halicarnassus (VII, 123) in

relation to Xerxes' campaign and by Thucydides (II, 99,4 and 100,4) in relation to Macedonian expansion and the war against Sitalces, the king of the Thracians. According to Xenophon, in the beginning of the 4th century BC it was the largest Macedonian city. It was probably built as the capital of the kingdom by Archelaus I, replacing the older palace-city of Aigai although there appears to be some possibility that it may have been created by Amyntas. In antiquity, Pella was a strategic port connected to the Thermaic Gulf by a navigable inlet, but the harbour and gulf have since silted up, leaving the site landlocked.

 

Archaeology

The site was explored by 19th-century voyagers. The first excavation was begun by G. Oikonomos in 1914–15. The modern systematic exploration of the site began in 1953 and work has continued since then uncovering significant parts of the extensive city.

In February 2006, a farmer accidentally uncovered the largest tomb ever found in Greece. The names of the noble ancient Macedonian family are still on inscriptions and painted sculptures and walls have survived. The tomb dates to the 2nd or 3rd century BC. Overall, archaeologists have uncovered 1,000 tombs since the year 2000, but these only represent an estimated 5% of the site. In 2009 43 graves last year containing rich and elaborate grave goods were found and in 2010 37 tombs dating from 650 to 280 B.C were discovered containing rich ancient Macedonian artefacts ranging from ceramics to precious metals. One of the tombs was the final resting place of a warrior from the 6th century B.C. with a bronze helmet with a gold mouth plate, weapons and jewellery.

Many artefacts are displayed in the Archaeological Museum of Pella.

Alexander the Great

History

Alexander III of Macedon (20/21 July 356 BC – 10/11 June 323 BC), commonly known as Alexander the Great  was a king of the Ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon and a member of the Argead dynasty. Born in Pella in 356 BC, Alexander succeeded his father, Philip II, to the throne at the age of twenty. He spent most of his ruling years on an unprecedented military campaign through Asia and northeast Africa, and by the age of thirty he had created one of the largest empires of the ancient world, stretching from Greece to north western India. He was undefeated in battle and is widely considered one of history's most successful military commanders.

 

The town of Edessa

Edessa, known as “town of waters, is a town in northern Greece and the capital of Pella regional unit (in which Giannitsa also belongs to) in the central Macedonia region. It’s famous for the waterfalls and it attracts tourists who like winter sports during the winter.

Loutraki baths (Pozar) are located in northern Greece, at the foot of mount Kaimaktsalan, 100 km from Thessaloniki. The area of the Loutraki Baths is a natural sight, located in a green environment with plane trees and waterfalls. The hot water is beneficial for people who suffer from rheumatism, arthritis and skin diseases

Loutraki Baths - Aridea

Greek traditional food

Greek saladsGreece is known for the production of oils and olive oil but also for the delicious salads which are made of fresh vegetables and accompanied with feta cheese.

Tzatziki sauce

Tzatziki is made of yoghurt, garlic and olive oil. It is one of the most famous Greek appetizers.

Greek Gyros

Gyros might be the most famous Greek fast food. It contains pork or chicken meat with fried potatoes, tomato and tzatziki sauce in a pita.

Souvlaki

Souvlaki consists of pieces of grilled pork or chicken meat on a chopstick.

Mousakas

Mousakas is a traditional dish which consists of potatoes, aubergines, mince meat and bechamel.

Mpougatsa

Mpougatsa is a sweet pie with vanilla flavoured cream.

Loukoumades

Loukoumades is a desert that is almost like donuts and it is served with honey.

Greek pies

Greek pies are also very famous. Homemade pastry is usually filled with cheese or spinach.

Την εργασία ανέλαβαν οι μαθητές της Γ’ Τάξης:

ΑΡΠΟΥΔΗΣ ΑΝΑΣΤΑΣΙΟΣΒΑΡΕΛΑ ΒΑΣΙΛΙΚΗΓΑΛΑΝΗΣ ΑΡΙΣΤΕΙΔΗΣΓΑΛΑΤΙΑΝΟΣ ΚΩΝ/ΝΟΣΖΑΡΜΑΚΟΥΠΗ ΜΑΡΙΑΚΑΜΠΑΛΗ ΕΙΡΗΝΗΚΑΡΑΠΑΤΣΙΑΣ ΘΕΟΔΟΣΗΣΚΑΡΑΦΥΛΛΙΑ ΑΙΚΑΤΕΡΙΝΗΚΑΡΥΠΙΔΟΥ ΒΑΣΙΛΙΚΗΚΑΦΕΤΖΗ ΜΑΡΙΑΚΩΝΣΤΑΝΤΙΝΙΔΗΣ ΑΝΤΩΝΗΣΛΟΓΓΟΥ ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗΛΥΚΟΠΟΥΛΟΥ ΔΗΜΗΤΡΑΜΑΥΡΕΝΗΣ ΡΑΦΑΗΛ

ΜΕΡΑ ΕΛΙΣΑΒΕΤΝΙΚΟΛΑΪΔΟΥ ΑΡΤΕΜΙΣΠΑΠΟΥΡΤΖΗΣ ΔΙΑΜΑΝΤΗΣΠΕΓΙΟΥ ΜΑΓΔΑΛΗΝΗΣΒΟΛΙΑΝΤΟΠΟΥΛΟΥ ΕΛΕΥΘΕΡΙΑΣΤΡΑΝΤΖΙΑ ΑΝΑΣΤΑΣΙΑΣΩΤΗΡΙΑΔΟΥ ΕΛΙΣΑΒΕΤΤΟΠΑΛΙΔΟΥ ΣΟΥΖΑΝΑΤΣΑΛΚΑΝΤΗ ΟΛΙΝΑΧΑΤΖΗ ΑΙΜΙΛΙΑΧΑΤΖΗΑΣΛΑΝΙΔΟΥ ΑΝΝΑ ΜΑΡΙΑΧΑΤΖΗΓΕΩΡΓΙΟΥ ΘΕΟΔΩΡΑΧΑΤΖΗΜΩΥΣΙΑΔΟΥ ΖΩΗ