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Salamis Island

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For other meanings of Salamis, see Salamis

Salamis (Greek, Modern: Σαλαμίνα Salamína, Ancient/Katharevousa: Σαλαμίς Salamís) is the largest Greek island in the Saronic Gulf, about 1 nautical mile (2 km) off-coast from Piraeus and about 16km west of Athens. Due to its roughly crescent shape, the island is also locally known as Koulouri, after the bread roll of this form. The chief city, Salamis or Salamina, lies in the west-facing core of the crescent on Salamis Bay, which opens into the Saronic Gulf. The island's main port, Paloukia, in size second only to Piraeus, is on the eastern side.

History

The name Salamis is probably derived from Salam (shalam), Phoenician for peace, under which it was mentioned in Homer's writings. Some sources, however, say it was named after the nymph Salamis, according to legend the mother of Cychreus, the first king of the island).

Salamis was probably first colonised by Aegina and later occupied by Megara, but became an Athenian possession in the time of Solon or Peisistratos, following the war between Athens and Megara around 600 BC.

Salamis island is known for the Battle of Salamis, the decisive naval victory of the allied Greek fleet, led by Themistocles, over the Persian Empire in 480 BC. It is said to be the birthplace of Ajax and Euripides, the latter's birth being popularly placed on the day of the battle. In modern times, it is home to Salamis Naval Base, headquarters for the Hellenic Navy.

During the German invasion of Greece in World War II, the harbor was bombed by the Luftwaffe on April 23, 1941, sinking the Greek battleships Kilkis and Lemnos.

In the 1960s and 1970s, during the military junta period, changes in land legislation allowed the subdivision of land plots. This opened the island to massive unplanned and unregulated urban and suburban development, including many weekend homes, especially along the northern and eastern coasts. The lack of corresponding investment in infrastructure, combined with heavy industry, has led to sea and beach pollution on this side of the island. There are, however, ongoing initiatives such as help from the European Union’s Cohesion Fund toward improving sewerage by 2008.

Geography and administration

Salamis has an area of 36 square miles; its highest point is Mavrovouni (1325 feet). As of the mid-20th century, the majority of the inhabitants were Arvanite. According to Strabo, the ancient capital was at the south of the island;, and in classical times it was to the east, on the Kamatero Peninsula overlooking the Strait of Salamis; in modern times it is on the west.

Much of Salamis Island is rocky and mountainous. On the south of the island is a pine forest, unusual in western Attica, which is frequently the location of fires. While there is some agriculture inland, the majority of inhabitants work in maritime occupations (fishing, ferries, and the island's shipyards) or commute to work in Athens. The maritime industry is focused on the north-east coast of the island at the port of Paloukia, where ferries to mainland Greece are based, and in the dockyards of Ampelakia and the north side of the Kynosoura (Greek: Κυνοσούρα = "dog tail") peninsula.

Salamis Island is very popular for holiday and weekend visits from the Athens and Piraeus area; its permanent population of some 31,000 rises to 300,000 in peak season. This supports a strong service industry sector, with many cafes, bars, ouzeries, tavernas and consumer goods shops throughout the island. On the south of the island, away from the port, there are a number of less developed areas with good swimming beaches including those of Aianteio, Maroudi, Perani, Peristeria, Kolones, Saterli, Selenia and Kanakia.

Salamis Island belongs to the Piraeus Prefecture of the Attica periphery.

It is divided into two municipalities: Salamina and Ampelakia. The current mayor of Salamina is Spyros Sofras and of Ampelakia Marios Travlos, both elected in the Hellenic municipal election of October 2006. Spyros Sofras is the first time as mayor of Salamina, and Marios Travlos is the second turn as mayor of Ampelakia.

In the Municipality of Salamina, which has a land area of 80.992 km² and a 2001 census population of 30,962, the chief population centre is the city of Salamina (also called Salamis, Salamis City or Koulouris, pop. 25,730 in 2001), containing the districts Alonia, Agios Minas, Agios Dimitrios, Agios Nikolaos, Boskos, Nea Salamina, Tsami and Vourkari. Its second-largest town is Aiánteio (pop. 3,652). In the Municipality of Ampelákia, which has a land area of 15.169 km² and a population of 7,060, the largest towns are Ampelákia (pop. 4,537) and Selínia (2,346).

Population

Year Municipal population Municipal and Island population Population of Capital
1981 20,807 25,215 5,143
1991 22,567 27,582 6,316
2001 30,022 37,091 9,259
2007 c.38,000

Culture

Famous mythological and ancient people

Modern celebrities

Education

Salamis island has eleven primary schools (ten public and one private), four high schools and four lycees. The majority of students are proficient in school, and usually the pupils (above age 13) have acquired diplomas and certificates in English, French or in German like ECCE, FCE, CPE, ECPE and others. Many students from Salamis island also possess many computer skills. Many students also study abroad, usually in countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, and France. In the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, the pupils went to Italy for studies since it was close to Greece.

Recreational areas

On Salamis island, a visitor can find many bars, cafeterias, beaches, shops, with different views of Salamis Bay. The main cafeterias and bars are based at the area of Agios Nikolaos, which is at the west suburbs of Salamis city. The district took its name from the homonymous church. Taverns and inns are in every place of the island with their local food and dishes. The shops are opened from 8:00 up until 2:00 in the morning and at 5:30 to 9:00 in the afternoons during weekdays (also open from 9:00 to 1:30 in the mornings and 6:00 to 8:30 in the afternoons during Saturdays). Salamina has a plethora of shops for clothes, souvenirs, appliances, vehicles, and computers.

Sports

Salamis island has two football teams, Aias (Ajax) Salaminas and Ampelakiakos F.C.

Local newspapers and magazines

  • Salaminiaki Protoporia (Salaminian Vanguard)
  • Anatropes (Tippings )
  • I Enotita tis Salaminas (The Unity of Salamis)
  • I Nea Salamina (The New Salamis)
  • I Foni tis Salaminas (The Voice of Salamis)
  • Neo Ithos tis Salaminas (New Morale of Salamis)
  • Apopsi (Opinion)
  • Palmos tis Salaminas (Pulse of Salamis)
  • Athlitikoi Palmoi (Athletic Vibrations)
  • Politis me dikaioma (Citizen with rights)
  • Sports Week Salamina

Landmarks

Landmark Year of construction Location
Faneromeni Monastery 15th century Faneromeni
Chantry of Saint George around 1250 Agios Georgios
Euripideio Theatre 1993 in suburbs of Salamis City (in hill Patris)
Church of Saint Dimitrios 1806 center of Salamis City (in hononymous district)
The Cave of Euripides 450 BC at south Salamis Island (near Peristeria)
The Cottage of Angelos Sikelianos 1935 Faneromeni
The Stone Lighthouse 1901 Peristeria
The bust of Georgios Karaiskakis 1982 center of Salamis City (in Vourkari district)
The Windmills 19th century in suburbs of Salamis City (in a hill)
Chantry of Prophet Elias early of 20th century Salamis City (in a stone hill)
Chantry of Saint Grygorios 12th century Psili Ammos
The Stony small Theater 1990 Selinia
The City Hall of Salamis 2000 Salamis City
The Monastery of Saint Nicolaos 17th century at south Salamis Island (near Kanakia)
The Church of Saint John the Kalyvitis 11th century at south Salamis Island (near Kanakia)
The Folklore Museum 2000 it ' s lodging at Salamis City Hall
The Mansion of Galeos Family 19th century at Salamis center (at Agios Minas district)
The Church of Saint Minas 1869 at Salamis City (at Agios Minas district)

Sister Cities

Photo Gallery

See also

References

External links



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Last updated on Thursday March 06, 2008 at 09:36:41 PST (GMT -0800)
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