Vathy (Samos)

The small town of Vathy (Greek Βαθύ (n. sg. ) Also Ano Vathy, Upper Vathy ' rarely, Paleo Vathy Vathy Old ' ) is one of the east of the Greek island of Samos at the oldest settlements on the island. Vathy has 1888 inhabitants, including the surrounding rural settlements 3147th Together with the town of Samos Vathy forms an almost closed settlement area.

Location

The village lies to the east of Vathy Samos. It is with 43.638 km ², the second largest town in the municipality Samos by area. The area extends from the west coast of the Gulf of Vathy ( kolpos Vatheos Κόλπος Βαθέος ) to the Mykali beach ( Παραλία Μυκάλη ) in the south and to the Cape Praso ( Ακρωτήριο Πράσο ) in the northeast. The city of Samos bordered to the north, northwest Kokkari, in the west and in the southeast Mytilinii the village Paleokastro. The recent development of the small town of Vathy moves northwestward down to the sea and meets there with the settlement of the town of Samos. To the east on the Vlamari Plateau lie the villages of Agia Zoni and Kamara. The settlements Varella and Drosia lie south near Paleokastro, Mesokambos far south on Mykali beach, the scattered settlements Koumarionas and Zervou west on the road to Mytilinii. The hamlet Kedros located on the National Road 62 north-west near the coast.

History

Probably already in the middle of the 16th century, settled here in humans. At the beginning of the 17th century founded refugees from the Peloponnese on the ruins of an ancient settlement in the area of present-day hamlet Moraitochori ( Μωραϊτοχώρι ) the place. Due to the location hidden on a saddle between the mountains Koutsomylos and Varela about 80 m above the largest natural harbor on the island one was safe from pirate attacks. Ottoman records of that time flying the place name Ahirlasi. Middle of the 18th century, Vathy has become one of the largest villages of the island. The name of the district Chiotika ( Χιώτικα ) suggests that even people of Chios settled. At sea, there was no settlement, only the area Gialos ( Γιαλός Coast) served as a port. In this section residents of Vathy and resettled traders began to build the Ionian islands large warehouses. To distinguish they called the slow-growing village of Kato Vathi ( Κάτω Βαθύ ) as opposed to the old place, the Pano Vathy ( Πάνω Βαθύ ) or Chorio ( Χωριό ) was called.

To date, Vathy has preserved its traditional character. Small streets, alleys stairs, tight -built houses and little old churches still dominate the townscape. Only the building of the school ( δημοτικό σχολείο ) and the local government ( κοινοτικό κατάστημα ) do not fit the uniform townscape.

On the formerly agrarian Vlamari plateau east of the city of grain and tobacco cultivation was once widespread. Today, the cultivation of vegetables, grapes and olives is powered by only the hamlet Kamara and Agia Zoni.

After the connection of Samos Greece Vathy made ​​from 1918 to 1997 an independent country community ( Kinotita Vatheos Κοινότητα Βαθέος ). The majority of associated settlements were established in the second half of the 20th century. In the course of municipal reform in 1997 eight rural communities (Greek κοινότητες ) and the Municipality of Samos were fused ( Δήμος Σαμίων Dimos Samion ) to the municipality of Vathy ( Dimos Vatheos Δήμος Βαθέος ). The then created four island communities were merged by the decision taken in 2010 Kallikratis program to the municipality Samos, Vathy received the status of a city ( Δημοτική Κοινότητα ).

* 1920 called Vlameri

¹ 1920 including Kambos 47 inhabitants; Votsos 23 inhabitants; Psili Ammos 12 inhabitants

To the east of Vathy are two monasteries

• The monastery of Agia Zoni, founded in 1695 is located in the eponymous hamlet. The frescoes of the church date from the 17th century.
• The monastery was founded in 1756 Zoodohos Pigi. Due to its location about 300 meters above the sea there is a view along the east coast of the island and on the nearby Turkish coast.

Personalities

Vathy is the birthplace of important people in history

• Konstantin Lachanas (* 1769 - † 19 December 1842 in Chalkida ) provided as captain during the Greek War of the Ottoman fleet several naval battles. In three clashes 1821.1824 and 1826, he defended the island successfully. On April 18, 1821 he called for resistance and hoisted for the first time on the small Pigadi Course ( Πηγαδάκι ) in Vathy the flag of the Greek liberation movement. There now a bust of him.
• Christodoulos Matakides (* 1799 - † 1847 in Syros ) took part in the Greek Revolution and later representative of Samos in the National Assembly.
• Themistocles Sophoulis, who later became Prime Minister, was one of the pioneers of union with Greece.