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Karpenisi Καρπενήσι
Municipality
Part of the town
KarpenisiLocation within the region
Coordinates: 38°55′N 21°47′E / 38.917°N 21.783°E / 38.917; 21.783
Country	Greece
Administrative region	Central Greece
Regional unit	Evrytania
Government
• Mayor	Christos Kakavas (since 2023)
Area
• Municipality	948.6 km (366.3 sq mi)
• Municipal unit	250.9 km (96.9 sq mi)
Elevation	960 m (3,150 ft)
Population
• Municipality	11,445
• Density	12/km (31/sq mi)
• Municipal unit	7,921
• Municipal unit density	32/km (82/sq mi)
• Community	6,788
Time zone	UTC+2 (EET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+3 (EEST)
Postal code	361 00
Area code(s)	22370
Vehicle registration	ΚΗ
Website	www.karpenissi.gr

Karpenisi (Greek: Καρπενήσι, Greek pronunciation: [karpeˈnisi]) is a town in central Greece. It is the capital of the regional unit of Evrytania. Karpenisi is situated in the valley of the river Karpenisiotis (Καρπενησιώτης), a tributary of the Megdovas, in the southern part of the Pindus Mountains. Mount Tymfristos (2,315 m elevation) lies directly to the north of the town, and the foothills of mount Kaliakouda are in the south. Karpenisi has a ski resort and is a popular destination, especially during winter. It is called Switzerland of Greece for the resemblance with the mountainous country and its beauty, atypical for a Mediterranean place.

Etymology

The name Karpenisi derives from the Aromanian word kárpinu 'hornbeam' + the ending -iş. The Greek spelling Καρπενήσι is influenced by folk etymology, the second combining form appearing to be νησί 'island' (pronounced ). The first mention of the name is traced back to an Ottoman tax ledger of 1454–1455.

Municipality

The municipality Karpenisi was formed at the 2011 local government reform by the merger of the following 6 former municipalities, that became municipal units:

• Domnista (Ampliani, Domnista, Krikello, Mesokomi, Psiana, Roska, Stavloi)
• Fourna (Fourna, Kleisto, Vracha)
• Karpenisi (Agia Vlacherna, Agios Andreas, Agios Nikolaos, Fidakia, Kalesmeno, Karpenisi, Koryschades, Myriki, Papparousi, Pavlopoulo, Sella, Stefani, Stenoma, Voutyro)
• Ktimenia (Agia Triada, Agios Charalampos, Chochlia, Domianoi, Petralona)
• Potamia (Aniada, Chelidonas, Dermati, Karitsa, Klafsi, Megalo Chorio, Mikro Chorio, Mouzilo, Nostimo, Sygkrellos)
• Prousos (Alestia, Aspropyrgos, Esochoria, Kastania, Katavothra, Prodromos, Prousos, Sarkini, Stavrochori, Tornos, Velota)

The municipality has an area of 948.570 km, the municipal unit 250.887 km.

Mayor of Karpenisi

• Kostas Bakoyannis, 2011–2014
• Nikos Souliotis, 2014–2023
• Christos Kakavas, since 2024

History

Karpenisi has a lot of history in the region. In antiquity, Karpenisi was known as Oechalia and ruled by king Evrytos, inventor of the bow.

During the Greek Revolution of 1821, the towns mountainous location was of strategic importance for central Roumeli. During more recent times, the region took part in WWI and WWII, becoming the place where the armed National Resistance was initiated. Karpenisi was badly damaged by Italian and German attacks during WWII.

Climate

Due to its altitude, Karpenisi has a temperate climate (Köppen: C), with abundant rainfall year round and much cooler temperatures. Snowfall is frequent and heavy in winter, whereas summers are pleasantly warm with cool nights.

Historical population

Sister cities

• Asheville, United States
• Messolonghi, Greece
• Engomi, Cyprus

Notable people

• Zacharias Papantoniou (1877–1940), writer
• Ioannis Theodoropoulos, bronze medal in the pole vault 1896 Summer Olympics
• Georgios Kondylis (1878–1936), General of the Greek army and Prime Minister of Greece
• Charalambos Katsimitros (1886–1962), General of the Greek army who distinguished himself during the Greco-Italian War
• Pavlos Bakoyannis (1935–1989), Greek politician and journalist

Notable events

• Battle of Karpenisi (8 August 1823) during the Greek War of Independence

References

1. "Municipality of Karpenissi, Municipal elections – October 2023". Ministry of Interior.
2. "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.
3. Dana Facaros; Linda Theodorou (2003). Greece. New Holland Publishers. p. 382. ISBN 978-1-86011-898-2.
4. Oikonomou Konstantinos, Zagori toponym, Doctoral thesis, Ioannina 1986, pp. 752–753.
5. Beldiceanu, Nicoară; Vasiliu Năsturel, Petre Ștefan (1991). "Η Θεσσαλία στην περίοδο 1454/55–1506". ΘΕΣΣΑΛΙΚΟ ΗΜΕΡΟΛΟΓΙΟ (in Greek). 19: 105–106.
6. "ΦΕΚ B 1292/2010, Kallikratis reform municipalities" (in Greek). Government Gazette.
7. "Population & housing census 2001 (incl. area and average elevation)" (PDF) (in Greek). National Statistical Service of Greece. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 September 2015.
8. ^ "History - municipality of Karpenisi". Karpenisi. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
9. "Karpenisi, Greece". Archived from the original on 25 July 2011. Retrieved 7 October 2010.
10. "Σε μια συγκινητική τελετή στην πλατεία Μάρκου Μπότσαρη αδελφοποιήθηκαν οι Δήμοι Ι.Π. Μεσολογγίου και Καρπενησίου". 8 August 2022.
11. "Διδυμοποιήσεις".

External links

• Tourist Guide of Karpenisi

v t e Administrative division of the Central Greece Region
Area 15,549 km (6,004 sq mi) Population 547,390 (as of 2011) Municipalities 25 (since 2011) Capital Lamia
Regional unit of Boeotia	Aliartos-Thespies Distomo-Arachova-Antikyra Livadeia Orchomenos Tanagra Thebes
Regional unit of Euboea	Chalcis Dirfys-Messapia Eretria Istiaia-Aidipsos Karystos Kymi-Aliveri Mantoudi-Limni-Agia Anna Skyros
Regional unit of Evrytania	Agrafa Karpenisi
Regional unit of Phocis	Delphi Dorida
Regional unit of Phthiotis	Amfikleia-Elateia Domokos Kamena Vourla Lamia Lokroi Makrakomi Stylida
Regional governor Fanis Spanos (since 2019) Decentralized Administration Thessaly and Central Greece

• Populated places in Evrytania
• Municipalities of Central Greece
• Karpenisi
• Greek prefectural capitals