Ouranoupoli

Ouranoupoli (Greek Ουρανούπολη ( f sg ); pronounced Uranúpoli, Katharevousa Ouranoupolis Ουρανούπολις; German, sky city '), is a Greek village on the peninsula of Chalkidiki (Region of Central Macedonia ) on the border of Mount Athos. Ouranoupolis is since 2010 a village in the municipality ( Dimos ) Aristotelis, District Stagira - Acanthus.

History

Ouranoupoli was originally an ancient city to 316 BC in the area of ​​today's Trypiti. It was founded by Alexarchos, the eccentric brother of the Macedonian king Cassander ( Strabo VII question. 35). Alexarchos considered himself to be the sun god Helios and created for the resettled residents of the city dedicated a new dialect ( Athenaeus 3.54.98d -e). In the 11th century the southeast of the village, the monastery was built, which was rebuilt by the Crusaders of the Fourth Crusade in a castle in the 12th century ( Frangokastro, Frankenburg ). In the 13th century, the area of Ouranoupoli belonged to the Athos Monastery of Vatopedi. Built in 1344 the monastery on investors a huge tower, the Tower of Prosphorion, which is the landmark Ouranoupolis today. In 1922 the settlement was founded by refugees from Asia Minor.

Archaeological site Zygou Monastery, also known as " Castle of the Franks " means

The Prosphorios Tower, the landmark of OURANOUPOLI

Byzantine tower in Ouranoupolis

• View from Prosphorios Tower

North ...

To the southeast ...

Economy

Ouranoupoli is mainly financed by its port and tourism. The port is the most important for the supply of the Athos monasteries. About him go first, the monks and visitors with permission ( Diamonitirion ) into the monastic state and on the other hand-made icons, soaps, candles and chains of the monks in the place where they are usually bought from the numerous tourists. Most hotels are above the coastal road ( National Road 16) between Ouranoupoli and Trypiti or Ierissos at or on low hills. They offer from March to September rooms. In 2001, the city counted 960 inhabitants.

Climate

Since Chalkidiki in the Mediterranean region, the subtropical zone, located to the summer and winter differ greatly. The summers are hot and dry. In contrast to the winter there are only very few rain this season. In summer, temperatures of around 30 ° C, in winter, however, only of 12 ° C.