Alexandria – The city of Alexandria

Alexandreia, 13-11-2009

It is about the largest village of Imathias plain that was called Gidas until 1952. There are some written documents of the 18th century about Gidas. It used to be the historical center of the plain that was known since the Turkish domination as Roumlouki, the land of the Greeks, and consisted of 40 villages. The traditional costume of the women is considered to be a hangover of the military regimentals of the ancient years. Its basic element is the “katsouli”, an unusual headband that is made of three kerchiefs and reminds of an ancient helmet. The women of Roumlouki claim that it was given to them by Alexander the Great. According to tradition the enemy that tried to invade was once forced to retreat by the women of the plain. When Alexander came back from his expedition and was informed of this war exploit he commanded the men to give their helmets to the women. As a result, this headband is one of the main characteristics of the region.

There are little archeological finds in Alexandria. A pillar of the roman period and some more marble finds were discovered at the north-east side of the city but there has been no archeological research yet. In Nisi, there were found some remains of an ancient settlement by the lake; it is about a roman settlement with many mosaics. Unfortunately, this place can not be visited. During the Byzantine era Alexandreia was a part of the military land known as Kritzista, while Vrysaki and Nisi belonged to some wealthy family of the Byzantine era. A big monastery used to exist in Gidachori, a large and populated village that was visited by the Apostle Kosmas the Aetolian during the summer of 1775. Kapsochora was the base of Bishop Theofilos who had founded there a library and a seminary in the 18th century. During the Macedonian struggle the inhabitants of Gidas took part in many of the operations. Many heroes and captains come from this region. Koungas’ hut is still known as one of the most powerful Greek redoubts in the lake of Giannitsa. Of great importance was also the inhabitants’ contribution of the villages near the lake (Kambochori, Nisi, Shoinas, Neochori). Nisi was burned down by the comitadjis in 1906 in the context of terrifying the residents who were helping the Greek troops. The village was liberated in 1912 and its railway was used as the headquarters of the Greek army in order to liberate Giannitsa and Thessaloniki. The telegram that informed Athens about the liberation of Thessaloniki was sent from this station. After the draining of the marsh of Giannitsa and the construction of irrigation system many people chose to move to this area despite its climate. These facts in combination with the plain’s location at the point where the roads to Thessaloniki, to west Macedonia and to southern Greece meet helped the economic growth of the village that was renamed into Alexandria in 1952 and became a wealthy city. Municipality of Alexandria is nowadays the third largest municipality of Imatia. Vrysaki, Kambochori, Kapsochora, Loutros, Neochori, Niseli, Nisi, Shoinas are also part of the municipality. Alexandria’s economy is based on the agricultural products produced such as cotton-plant, peaches, sugar-beets, apples, pears, tobacco crop, and cereals. Part of these products is being exported. The position of Alexandria turned the city into a center of trade; as a result the population grew and the town keeps on becoming larger due to the new buildings that have to be built. The new irrigation system that is almost ready will help the further growth of the city. There is also an old airport that could be used for the transportation of the local agricultural products, a fact that would also be helpful for the local economy.

Don’t forget to visit

The church of St Kyriaki (Agia Kyriaki), at the south of Loutros. It is located in a forest next to Aliakmonas. Every year, on June 6 a big festival is taking place there.
The church of St Anargyroi (Agioi Anargyroi) in Nisi as well as the Touba, a place that is strongly connected to the Macedonian struggle.
The country church of St Ioannis at the river bank of Aliakmonas, south of Niseli. North of this region there is an amusement ground next to the river where you can take your walk or even go boating. At this part of the river you can see many water fowls.
The fans of hiking should choose Kapsochora for their walks, where they can admire beautiful houses with clean yards. This is where the well known musician and composer Christos Nikolopoulos comes from.
You should also have a cup of coffee at the railway station, under its famous plane-tree. If you visit our town during Christmas holidays you will be able to watch the custom of rougatzia. It is about young men wearing the traditional costume, who dance around the streets of the town holding swords in order to collect some money from the residents. This custom has its origins in the old habit of the Klephts and Armatoloi who used to collect money from the residents of this area as a reward for protecting them. On December 26 there is a special feast where you can eat pork meat for free at the yard of the folklore museum in Alexandria but also in Loutros, Kambochori and Niseli. Furthermore, there are some celebrations during carnival, especially on Shrove Monday. On August 15 there is a religious festival with a bazaar and some more cultural events that take place in the city’s theatre and last until the end of the month. On Vetsopoulou Street, a part of which has been pedestrianized, one can find many stores and cafés as it is the place where people use to go out and have fun. The fans of folk songs can find in Alexandria some of the most well known instrumentalists of the zournas and the daouli and enjoy their playing during feasts that are being held regularly.
On Saturdays there is a street market near the south entrance of the town. Those who have a special interest in antiques should visit Agios Georgios at the east side of the town, where you can also see the church of St Alexandros. North of Papantonis Square you can see a traditional building that is going to become a folklore museum as well as the city’s stadium. At the west side of the square there is the house of G. Ioannou (author and poet) as well as the Bey’s house and the statue of Theocharis Kougas (known from the Macedonian struggle). You should also visit the church of Holy Mary (Panagia) where you can find some great wall paintings. At the center of the town there is a big building that isn’t finished yet and will become the Cultural Center of the town. Eleftheria square is the lung of the town, a place where the Epiphany and other religious events take place and where the public library is. There is also a square with the statue of Pontios Akritas (a man of great importance for the Greeks who used to live at the region of Caucasus as well as for their descendant). There are four local newspapers and a radio station in Alexandria.

Alexandria of Imathia

Ioannis D. Moschopoulos

Lawyer, Researcher of History and Folklore