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Neapoli (Greek: Νεάπολη) is a small town and a former municipality in Lasithi, eastern Crete, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform, it has been treated as a municipal unit of Agios Nikolaos.[2] The municipal unit has an area of 130.450 km2 (50.367 sq mi).[3] It is located 12 kilometres (7 miles) west from Agios Nikolaos in the green valley of Mirabello. The surrounding area is mountainous and home to a collection of native olive trees. Neapoli is a traditional Cretan town with narrow streets and cobbled roads. The Cathedral of the Virgin Mary (Megali Panagia) is located on the central square.
Neapoli
Νεάπολη | |
|---|---|
 View of Neapoli from its graveyard | |
  Neapoli Location within the regional unit  | |
| Coordinates: 35°17′N 25°36′E / 35.283°N 25.600°E | |
| Country | Greece |
| Administrative region | Crete |
| Regional unit | Lasithi |
| Municipality | Agios Nikolaos |
| Area | |
| • Municipal unit | 130.5 km2 (50.4 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 260 m (850 ft) |
| Population (2021)[1] | |
| • Municipal unit | 4,320 |
| • Municipal unit density | 33/km2 (86/sq mi) |
| • Community | 2,889 |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+3 (EEST) |
| Postal code | 72400 |
| Area code(s) | 28410 |
| Vehicle registration | AN |
| Website | www |
History
edit
The modern settlement at Neapoli was established during the period of Venetian rule on Crete under the name "New Village".[clarification needed] When the seat of Lasithi Prefecture was moved there from Phourni,[when?] it was renamed Neapolis (Medieval Greek: Νεάπολις, "New City"). Under Turkish rule, this was calqued into Ottoman Turkish as Yeni Şehir (یڭی شهر) before returning to its Greek name after independence. Agios Nikolaos became the new seat of the prefecture in 1904.
Annual festival
editAnnually on the 15th of August there is a holy festival dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The main square hosts musicians, traditional dancers, and a market. There are also some sports events including a cycling race around the hills of Lasithi. When it gets dark there is a procession of torches up the mountainside.
Museum of Local History
editThere is a small museum of local history comprising mostly photographs and postcards of Neapolis.[4]
Local produce
editThe town is surrounded by olive trees. Olives and olive oil are a very important part of the local agricultural economy. There are also many almond trees. A traditional local product of Neapoli is a drink, made from almonds, called soumada. It is a very sweet almond-flavored, non-alcoholic, soft drink that can also be delicately flavored with flowers (providing variations of the aroma and the flavor).
Local wildlife
editWhilst walking around the hills surrounding Neapoli, apart from the usual tortoises, hare, goats, and xylophagidae (known more commonly in Greece as Tzitzikia), one can occasionally see eagles, hummingbirds, and scorpions. The scorpions are usually hiding under rocks.
Notable residents
editAntipope Alexander V (also Peter of Candia or Peter Phillarges, c. 1339 – May 3, 1410) was born in Neapoli. He reigned from June 26, 1409, to his death in 1410 and is officially regarded by the Roman Catholic Church as an antipope.
References
edit- ^ "Αποτελέσματα Απογραφής Πληθυσμού - Κατοικιών 2021, Μόνιμος Πληθυσμός κατά οικισμό" [Results of the 2021 Population - Housing Census, Permanent population by settlement] (in Greek). Hellenic Statistical Authority. 29 March 2024.
- ^ "ΦΕΚ B 1292/2010, Kallikratis reform municipalities" (in Greek). Government Gazette.
- ^ "Population & housing census 2001 (incl. area and average elevation)" (PDF) (in Greek). National Statistical Service of Greece., excluding municipal departments of Vrachasi and Milatos that left in 2006
- ^ Site.
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