Naousa, Imathia

Naousa Νάουσα
Naousa
Official seal of Naousa Seal
Naousa
Coordinates:
Country	Greece
Administrative region	Central Macedonia
Regional unit	Imathia
Area
• Municipality	424.9 km2 (164.1 sq mi)
• Municipal unit	300.9 km2 (116.2 sq mi)
Elevation	330 - 450 m (−1,150 ft)
Population (2011)
• Municipality	32,494
• Municipality density	76/km2 (200/sq mi)
• Municipal unit	21,152
• Municipal unit density	70/km2 (180/sq mi)
Community
• Population	19268
Time zone	EET (UTC+2)
• Summer (DST)	EEST (UTC+3)
Postal code	592 00
Area code(s)	23320
Vehicle registration	ΗΜ
Website	www.naoussa.gr

Naousa (Greek: Νάουσα, historically Νάουσσα - Naoussa), officially The Heroic City of Naousa is a city in the Imathia regional unit of Macedonia, Greece. Population 32,494 (2011). It is situated in the eastern foothills of the Vermio Mountains, 17 kilometres (11 miles) northwest of Veroia. Naousa is surrounded by orchards, producing peaches, apples, cherries and other fruits. The jam brand name Naousa is known all over Greece. Its dry red wines are also well known, sold under the "Naousa" denomination of origin. Naousa is also known for its parks (Municipal Park, Park of Saint Nicholas etc.) and for its ski resorts (3-5 Pigadia and Seli).

An industrial center since the 19th century, for most of the 20th century the history of Naousa was closely intertwined with that of the Lanaras family, local industrialists who, at the height of their influence, employed almost half of Naousa's population in their textile factories. The Lanaras family built hospitals, social centers etc. while streets of Naousa were named after family members. In the 1990s and 2000s however, most of the local factories closed, leaving Naousa with a serious (and still unresolved) unemployment problem. Due to its industrial past, Naousa is traditionally a stronghold of the Communist Party of Greece.

Municipality

The municipality Naousa was formed at the 2011 local government reform by the merger of the following 3 former municipalities, that became municipal units:

• Anthemia
• Eirinoupoli
• Naousa

Province

The province of Naousa (Greek: Επαρχία Νάουσας) was one of the provinces of Imathia. It had the same territory as the present municipality. It was abolished in 2006.

History

Flag of the revolutionaries from Naousa (1821).

Clocktower.

Old street.

The city is situated in ancient Emathia west of the ancient Macedonian town of Mieza and the site of ancient School of Aristotle. The area, according to Herodotus, was where the fertile Gardens of King Midas were situated. Later, in the current position of the city, the Romans established the colony of Nova Augusta. The name changed through the centuries to Niagusta, Niaousta and Niaousa, until it became today's Naousa.

In 1705, an armatolos named Zisis Karademos led a Greek uprising against the local Ottoman garrison.

In 1822, during the Greek War of Independence, the fighting in Central Macedonia against the Turks came to a dramatic finale in Naousa. Abdul Abud, the Pasha of Thessaloniki, arrived on the 14th of March at the head of a 16,000 strong force and 12 cannons. The Greeks defended Naousa with a force of 4,000 under Anastasios Karatasos, Dimitrios Karatasos, Aggelis Gatsos, Karamitsos and Philippos, the son of Zafeirakis Theodosiou, under the overall command of Zafeirakis Theodosiou and Anastasios Karatasos. The Turks attempted to take the town of Naousa on the 16th of March 1822, and on the 18 and 19 March, without success. On the 24th of March the Turks began a bombardment of the city walls that lasted for several days. After requests for the town's surrender were dismissed by the Greeks, the Turks charged the Gate of St George on Good Friday, the 31st of March. The Turkish attack failed but on the 6th of April, after receiving fresh reinforcements of some 3,000 men, the Turkish army finally overcame the Greek resistance and entered the city. In an infamous incident, as the rebels were abandoning the town, some of the women left behind committed suicide by falling down a cliff over the small river Arapitsa. Zafeirakis Theodosiou was pursued by a Turkish unit and was killed. The other Greek leaders retreated southwards. Abdul Abud laid the town and surrounding area to waste. The fall and massacre of Naousa marked the end of the Greek revolution in Central Macedonia in 1822.

Naousa has a large population of Aromanians, also known as Vlachs, and a small Romani population.

Sporting teams

Naoussa hosts the clubs Naoussa F.C., which played at First National Division of Greece for one year (season 1993-94) and EGS Zafeirakis Naoussas (Greek: Ε.Γ.Σ.Ζαφειράκης Νάουσας) that keeps parts volleyball, handball and basketball. The name refers to the Greek prokritos Zafeirakis Theodosiou (Greek: Ζαφειράκης Θεοδοσίου) (1772–1822).

Sport clubs based in Naoussa
Club	Founded	Sports	Achievements
Naoussa F.C.	1962	Football	Earlier presence in A Ethniki
EGS Zafeirakis Naoussas	1974	Volleyball, Handball, Basketball	Earlier presence in A1 Ethniki Volleyball

International relations

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Greece

Twin towns — Sister cities

Naousa, Imathia is twinned with:

• Asenovgrad, Bulgaria (1994)
• Zgorzelec, Poland (1998)

Notable people

• Anastasios Michail (17th century-1722), theologian
• Zisis Karademos(17th century-1705), armatolos, led a rebellion
• Zafeirakis Theodosiou (18th century-1822), political leader

Gallery

• 

  Monument of the Heroids of 1822

• 

  View from St. Theologos hill

• 

  Agios Nikolaos park

• 

  View of a vineyard

• 

  Traditional dress

See also

• List of settlements in Imathia
• Folklore Museum of the Lyceum of Hellenic Women
• Wine and Vine Museum