Irakleio
Ηράκλειο
Irakleio is located in Greece
Irakleio
Irakleio
Location within the region
Coordinates: 38°3′N 23°46′E / 38.050°N 23.767°E / 38.050; 23.767
CountryGreece
Administrative regionAttica
Regional unitNorth Athens
Government
 • MayorNikolaos Mpampalos
Area
 • Municipality4.638 km2 (1.791 sq mi)
Elevation
150 m (490 ft)
Population
 (2011)[1]
 • Municipality
49,642
 • Municipality density11,000/km2 (28,000/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)
Postal code
141 xx
Area code(s)210
Vehicle registrationZ
Websitewww.iraklio.gr

Irakleio (Greek: Ηράκλειο) is a suburb in the northeastern part of the Athens agglomeration, Greece, and a municipality of the Attica region.

Geography

Irakleio is located about 8 km northeast of Athens city centre. The municipality has an area of 4.638 km2.[2] Its built-up area is continuous with those of the neighbouring suburbs Kalogreza, Nea Ionia, Metamorfosi, Lykovrysi, Pefki and Marousi. Irakleio is subdivided into several quarters, including Palaio Irakleio, Neo Irakleio, Ano Irakleio and Prasinos Lofos. The main thoroughfare is Irakleiou Avenue, which connects it with central Athens. The northern beltway of Athens, Motorway 6, passes through Irakleio. Irakleio is served by a metro station (Irakleio metro station) and by a commuter railway station (Irakleio railway station).

History

Irakleio square

Irakleio was named after a sanctuary of Heracles that was located in the area in classical antiquity. Before the Greek War of Independence the village was known as Arakli.

Irakleio was refounded as a military colony for the Bavarian Auxiliary Corps by King Otto. Due to the divide between the Catholic Bavarians and the Orthodox Greeks, the local Catholic pastor had to function as match-maker, bringing in a boatload of Catholic girls from Syros to secure the colony's continued existence. The colony nevertheless quickly assimilated into Greek society, so that by the 1860s, German was almost no longer known. During World War II, Heinrich Himmler, who learned of the German origin of many Irakleiotes, came in person to the area and took measures to ensure their comfort amidst the Great Famine. About a hundred Irakleiotes were even persuaded to move to Germany as Volksdeutsche and join the German war effort, but once in Bavaria they found a hostile welcome; and when they returned home in 1945, they found their properties confiscated by the Greek government.[3]

Irakleio was part of the municipality of Athens until 1925, when it became a separate community, elevated to municipality in 1948.[4] The earthquake of September 7, 1999, affected the area but caused minor damages.

Princess Alice of Battenberg (1885-1969), founded the Orthodox religious order of Martha and Mary here after World War II.

Historical population

YearPopulation
198137,833
199142,905
200145,926
201149,642

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Απογραφή Πληθυσμού - Κατοικιών 2011. ΜΟΝΙΜΟΣ Πληθυσμός" (in Greek). Hellenic Statistical Authority.
  2. ↑ "Population & housing census 2001 (incl. area and average elevation)" (PDF) (in Greek). National Statistical Service of Greece. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 21, 2015.
  3. ↑ Seidl, Wolf (1981). Bayern in Griechenland. Die Geburt des griechischen Nationalstaats und die Regierung König Ottos [Bavaria in Greece. The Birth of the Greek Nation-State and the Reign of King Otto] (in German) (New and expanded ed.). Munich: Prestel. pp. 234–235. ISBN 3-7913-0556-5.
  4. ↑ "EETAA local government changes". Retrieved June 28, 2020.
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