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{{Other uses|Policastro (disambiguation){{!}}Policastro}}
⚫ ]
{{Infobox Greek Dimos
|name = Polykastro
⚫ |name_local = Πολύκαστρο
|type = municipal unit
|image_map = DE Polykastrou.svg
|map_caption = Location within the regional unit
|periph = ]
|periphunit = ]
|municipality = ]
|pop_municunit = 11338
|area_municunit = 312.7
|pop_community = 6609
|area_community = 45.8
|population_as_of = 2021
|elevation =
|coordinates = {{coord|41|00|N|22|34|E|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code = 612 00
|image_skyline = Polykastro2.jpg
|caption_skyline = General view
|area_code =
|licence = ΚΙ
|website =
}}


'''Polykastro''' ({{lang-el|Πολύκαστρο}}), is a town of 8.000 inhabitants in the ]. The ] has 12.000 inhabitants, and includes Polykastro and 23 villages. It is built near the ], on the Road and Railway from ] to ]. It was formerly known as Karasuli <ref>{{el icon}} Dikaeos Vassiliadis, "History of Polykastro", Polykastro</ref><ref name="Kanchov"></ref><ref name="Karasouli -- Polykastron">{{cite web |url=http://pandektis.ekt.gr/dspace/handle/123456789/169373 |title=Karasouli -- Polykastron|format= |work= |accessdate=2009-05-01}} ''Pandektis: Name Changes of Settlements in Greece'', copiled by the </ref>, Mavrosuli<ref>{{el icon}} Dikaeos Vassiliadis, "History of Polykastro", Polykastro</ref> or Rugunovec<ref name = "Kanchov"/>. '''Polykastro''' ({{langx|el|Πολύκαστρο}}, before 1928 {{lang|el|Καρασούλι}}, ''Karasoúli'';<ref name="Karasouli -- Polykastron">{{cite web |url=http://pandektis.ekt.gr/dspace/handle/10442/169373|title=Karasouli – Polykastron|access-date=2016-11-21}} ''Pandektis: Name Changes of Settlements in Greece'', compiled by the </ref>) is a town and a former municipality in ] regional unit of ], ]. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality ], of which it is a municipal unit, and the seat.
The municipal unit has an area of 312.717&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>, the municipal unit 45.775&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>.<ref name=stat01>{{cite web|url=http://dlib.statistics.gr/Book/GRESYE_02_0101_00098%20.pdf|publisher=National Statistical Service of Greece|title=Population & housing census 2001 (incl. area and average elevation)|language=el}}</ref> The municipal unit of Polykastro has 12,000 inhabitants, and includes Polykastro and 23 villages. It is built near the ], on the road and railway from ] to ]. It was formerly known as '''Karasuli''' (Turkish),<ref name="ReferenceA">{{in lang|el}} Dikaeos Vassiliadis, "History of Polykastro", Polykastro</ref><ref name="Kanchov"></ref> Mavrosuli<ref name="ReferenceA"/> or '''Rugunovec''' (] and ]: Ругуновец).<ref name = "Kanchov"/>


==History== ==History==
] monument]]
⚫ ])]]
===Ancient times=== ===Ancient times===
It is inhabited in the Neolithic Era. There are two settlements of that era: in Axiochorion ('''Amydon''') and in Limnotopos ('''Carabia'''). In Bronze Age, at about 3500 and 3000 BC, ] came in the area. In Axiochorion, was the capital of Paeonia, Amydon<ref name="Hammond">"History of Macedonia I" N. G. L. Hammond, 1972</ref><ref name="Sakellariou ">In Greek "Macedonia: 4.000 years of Greek Civilization" Sakellariou, 1990</ref>. Paeonians from Amydon took place in Trojan War as Trojan allies, with King '''Pyraechmes''' and '''Asteropaeos'''. King '''Pelegon''' was the one who led Paeonians from Northern valey of Axios river to the Southern valey, now called '''Amphaxitis'''. Paeonians also, found the town '''Chaetae''' in Tsaousitsa, near Pontoiraklia. In the 19th century BC, there is an invasion from the east. The invaders were ], later known as Krestonians, as they inhabited Krestonia, east of Amphaxitis. In the 12th century BC ] came in the area. Amydon became the first place of iron treatment in Southern Balkans. Phrygians found the town '''Baerus''' or Vairos near village Kastro. In the 5th century B.C. Macedonians conquared Amphaxitis and by that time, the Area of Polykastro followed the rest of Greece<ref name="Hammond"/><ref name="Sakellariou "/>. The area is inhabited since the Neolithic Era. There are two settlements from that era: in Axiochorion (]) and in Limnotopos (]). In the Bronze Age, 3500 to 3000 BC, ] moved into the area. In Axiochorion was the capital of Paeonia, Amydon.<ref name="Hammond">"History of Macedonia I" N. G. L. Hammond, 1972</ref><ref name="Sakellariou ">In Greek "Macedonia: 4.000 years of Greek Civilization" Sakellariou, 1990</ref> Paeonians from Amydon took part in the ] as Trojan allies, with King ] and ]. King Pelegon was the one who led Paeonians from the northern valley of the Axios river to the southern valley, now called ]. Paeonians also, founded the town ] in Tsaousitsa, near Pontoiraklia. In the 19th century BC, there was an invasion from the east. The invaders were ], later known as ]ns, as they inhabited Krestonia, east of Amphaxitis. In the 12th century BC ] came in the area. Amydon became the first place of iron treatment in Southeast Europe. Phrygians founded the town ] or Vairos near the village ]. In the 5th century B.C. ] conquered Amphaxitis and by that time, the Area of Polykastro followed the rest of ].<ref name="Hammond"/><ref name="Sakellariou "/>


===Roman and East Roman (Byzantine) times=== ===Roman and East Roman (Byzantine) times===
In Roman times, Amydon was completely destroyed. Polykastron ('''Tauriana''') belongs in 2nd Division of Macedonia, where Thessaloniki is the capital. During the Roman times, from 2nd century BC to 4th century AD, ], ] and ] invaded the area. In Byzantine times there were a lot of wars with the northern tribes, as ], Vardars, ] and ] and the area was misfortuned. In 13th century, the Byzantine Emperors rebuilt the fortress of Vairos in order to face the northern enemies<ref name="Sakellariou "/><ref name="Centennia">"Historical Maps of Europe" Centennia, U.S.A. 1992</ref><ref name="Vakalopoulos">In Greek: "History of Modern Hellenism 1204-1985" K. Vakalopoulos, Thessaloniki</ref>. In Roman times, Amydon was completely destroyed. The settlement in the region was called ] and belonged in 2nd Division of Macedonia, with Thessaloniki as the capital. During Roman times, 2nd century BC to 4th century AD, ], ] and ] made incursions. In Byzantine times there were many wars with the northern tribes, as ], Vardars, ] and ] and the area was severely affected. In the 13th century, the Byzantine Emperors rebuilt the fortress of Vairos in order to face the northern enemies.<ref name="Sakellariou "/><ref name="Centennia">"Historical Maps of Europe" Centennia, U.S.A. 1992</ref><ref name="Vakalopoulos">In Greek: "History of Modern Hellenism 1204–1985" K. Vakalopoulos, Thessaloniki</ref>


===Ottoman times=== ===Ottoman times===
In 1397 the area was conquered by the ]<ref name="Centennia"/> and Ottomans started a program of ].<ref name="Sakellariou "/> Many people left the area to live in the mountains.
⚫ In 1397 the area was conquered by the ]<ref name="Centennia"/>. Ottomans start a program of ]<ref>In Greek "Macedonia: 4.000 years of Greek Civilization" Sakellariou, 1990</ref>. A lot of people left the area to live in the mountains. According to ] traveller ], the area was populated only by Greeks and Turks. After the 15th century the area was based in agricultural economy. Many farm workers came from other places of Ottoman empire, in order to work, because many locals refused to work in Ottoman owned farms<ref>In Greek "Macedonia: 4.000 years of Greek Civilization" Sakellariou, 1990</ref><ref>In Greek: "History of Modern Hellenism 1204-1985" K. Vakalopoulos, Thessaloniki</ref>. Most of the farm workers who came, were Bulgarians<ref>In Greek: "Modern History of Macedonia 1830-1912" K. Vakalopoulos, Thessaloniki</ref>. So, Bulgarian language started gradually to replace the Greek language. After 16th century, a lot of ] came in the area from ]. During 17th and 18th centuries, a lot of Greek Vlachs came in the area, from ], removed because of Turkish/Albanian loots<ref>In Greek "Macedonia: 4.000 years of Greek Civilization" Sakellariou, 1990</ref><ref>In Greek: "History of Modern Hellenism 1204-1985" K. Vakalopoulos, Thessaloniki</ref>. It is remarkable that in the villages Evzoni and Korona, people used to speak a Vlach-Slavic dialect with a great amount of ancient Greek components, called ]. There are such speakers even nowadays. Researcher Maria Papageorgiou claims that a lot of plays of ancient Greek tragic poets, not preserved nowadays, were kept verbally, in this dialect, as tales.


⚫ The ] called the town Karasouli. That name comes from the ] words ''"kara"''=black and ''"suli"''=swamp. Another interpretation of the name, is that the ] named it after a local man who had dark skin and was originally from ], ].<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
⚫ In the revolution of 1821, people of Polykastro fought against the Turkish Army at the revolutionary movement of Vogdantsa (now ], in the ]), in order to liberate ], but were unsucessful. The revolution continued in Southern Greece. A lot of Polykastro fighters and fighters from near villages (such as ], Bogdanci, etc) went in Southern Greece in order to fight the Turkish Army there. It is remarkable that in the first ], a committee was established, called Committee of North Macedonians<ref>In Greek "The Cultural Identity of Greeks in Pelagonia (1912-1930)" Nikolaos Vassiliadis, Aristoteles University of Thessaloniki, 2004, p. 230</ref>, consisted of three members. One of the three members was from Bogdanci<ref>In Greek "The Cultural Identity of Greeks in Pelagonia (1912-1930)" Nikolaos Vassiliadis, Aristoteles University of Thessaloniki, 2004, p. 230</ref>.


⚫ According to ] traveller ], the area was populated only by Greeks and Turks.{{Citation needed|date=May 2011}} After the 15th century the area relied on its agricultural economy. Many farm workers came from other places of the Ottoman Empire, in order to work because many locals refused to work in Ottoman owned farms.<ref name="Sakellariou "/><ref name="Vakalopoulos"/> After the 16th century, many ] arrived in the area from ]. During 17th and 18th centuries, ] came also in the area, from ], removed because of Turkish/Albanian loots.<ref name="Sakellariou "/><ref name="Vakalopoulos"/> It is remarkable that in the villages Evzoni and Korona, people used to speak a Romance dialect, called ].{{citation needed|date=October 2013}} There are such speakers even nowadays. Researcher Maria Papageorgiou claims that a lot of plays of ancient Greek tragic poets, not preserved nowadays, were kept verbally, in this dialect, as tales.
⚫ After 1850, there had been established 5 Greek communities in the region; in Polykastro, Axiochori, Aspros, Evzonoi and Metamorfossis and four Greek schools; in Polykastro, Aspros, Axiochori and Evzonoi. Two Greek churches and one school were built in the village, they are known as Agii Anargyri (Taxiarches nowadays) and Agios Athanassios<ref> In Greek: Neoklis Kazazis "To Makedonikon Problima (The Macedonian Problem". Athens, 1907</ref>.
⚫ In 1870 the railway station of Karasouli was established<ref>{{el icon}} Dikaeos Vassiliadis, "History of Polykastro", Polykastro</ref>. ] named the town Karasouli. That name comes from the ] words ''"kara"''=black and ''"suli"''=swamp. Another interpretation of the name, is that the ] named it after a local man, who had dark skin and had origin from ], ]<ref>{{el icon}} Dikaeos Vassiliadis, "History of Polykastro", Polykastro</ref>.
⚫ In the end of 19th century and in the beginning of 20th century the conflict between Bulgarians and Greeks in Macedonia led to armed collisions. A lot of local Greek troops were acting in the region of Polykastro municipality. Georgios Vegyris, Georgios Didaskalou and Christos Doitsinis from village ] organised troops against Bulgarians. In the nearby village of Vogoroitsa (now ], in the Rep. of Macedonia) act troops with leaders: Christos Dringas and Dimitrios Ouroumis. Also in Pardeitsa (now ], in the Rep. of Macedonia) the teams of Aggelos Athanassiou and Aggelos Dakos act. Those troops were acting in the whole area from Bogdanci and Gevgeli, to Polykastro, Aspros and ]<ref> In Greek: "The Macedonian Struggle" K. Vakalopoulos, C. Nerantzis, 2000</ref><ref>In Greek: "Modern History of Macedonia 1830-1912" K. Vakalopoulos, Thessaloniki</ref><ref>In Greek: "Centers of Orginising, Action and Resistance of the Greeks of Kilkis Prefecture During the Macedonian Struggle" Christos Intos, Records of Convention "100 Years after Pavlos Melas' Death", Company of Macedonian Studies (CMS), Thessaloniki 2004</ref><ref>In Greek: Obscure Native Macedonian Fighters" Company of Macedonian Studies (CMS), University Studio Press, Thessaloniki, 2008]</ref>.


⚫ During the ], people of Polykastro fought against the Ottomans in the revolutionary movement of ], but were unsuccessful. The revolution continued in southern Greece. Many fighters from Polykastro and nearby villages (such as ], Bogdanci, etc.) went in Southern Greece to contribute. During the first ], a committee was established, called "Committee of North Macedonians",<ref name="Pelagonia 1930 p. 230">In Greek "The Cultural Identity of Greeks in Pelagonia (1912–1930)" Nikolaos Vassiliadis, Aristoteles University of Thessaloniki, 2004, p. 230</ref> consisted of three members. One of the three members was from Bogdanci.<ref name="Pelagonia 1930 p. 230"/>
⚫ In 1900, the ethnic composition of the town had changed with many ], ] and ] immigrating to the area. However ] still comrised the majority of the population.<ref></ref>The ethnic composition of the village according to ] in 1900 was 340 Bulgarians, 200 Turks, 12 Adyghe and 55 Romani people.<ref></ref> The "La Macédoine et sa Population Chrétienne" survey by Dimitar Mishev concluded that the Christian population was comprised of 312 ], 144 Bulgarian ] and 30 Romanis. Bulgarians built a school also, in the village in the beginning of 20th century.<ref> D.M.Brancoff. "La Macédoine et sa Population Chrétienne". Paris, 1905, р.194-195.</ref> A better estimation can be made by co-accounting ] and ] statistics of that era<ref>In Greek "Macedonia: 4.000 years of Greek Civilization" Sakellariou, 1990</ref>. The final conclusion is that population of the area of Polykastro municipality was 7,000 people. 1,000 ], 4,000 ] and 2,000 Muslims, mainly ]<ref>In Greek "Macedonia: 4.000 years of Greek Civilization" Sakellariou, 1990</ref>.

⚫ After 1850, five Greek communities had been established in the region; in Polykastro, Axiochori, Aspros, Evzonoi and Metamorfossis and four Greek schools; in Polykastro, Aspros, Axiochori and Evzonoi. Two Greek churches and one school were built in the village, they are known as Agii Anargyri (Taxiarches nowadays) and Agios Athanassios.<ref>In Greek: Neoklis Kazazis "To Makedonikon Problima (The Macedonian Problem". Athens, 1907</ref>
In 1870 the railway station of Karasouli was established.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

⚫ Late 19th century and early 20th century the conflict between Bulgarians and Greeks in Macedonia led to armed collisions. A lot of local Greek troops were acting in the region of Polykastro municipality. Georgios Vegyris, Georgios Didaskalou and Christos Doitsinis from village ] organised troops against Bulgarians. In the nearby village of Vogoroitsa (now ], in the Rep. of North Macedonia) act troops with leaders: Christos Dringas and Dimitrios Ouroumis. Also in Pardeitsa (now ], in the Rep. of North Macedonia) the teams of Aggelos Athanassiou and Aggelos Dakos act. Those troops were acting in the whole area from Bogdanci and Gevgeli, to Polykastro, Aspros and ].<ref name="ReferenceB">In Greek: "Modern History of Macedonia 1830–1912" K. Vakalopoulos, Thessaloniki</ref><ref>In Greek: "The Macedonian Struggle" K. Vakalopoulos, C. Nerantzis, 2000</ref><ref name="Intos"/><ref name="Obscure"/>

⚫ In 1900, the ethnic composition of the town had changed with many ], ] and ] immigrating to the area. However, according to Bulgarian scholars, ] still comprised the majority of the population.<ref name="promacedonia.org"></ref> The ethnic composition of the village according to ] in 1900 was 340 Bulgarians, 200 Turks, 12 Adyghe and 55 Romani people.<ref name="promacedonia.org"/> The "La Macédoine et sa Population Chrétienne" survey by Dimitar Mishev concluded that the Christian population was composed of 312 ], 144 Bulgarian ] and 30 Romanis. Bulgarians maintainеd a school also, in the village in the beginning of the 20th century.<ref>D.M.Brancoff. "La Macédoine et sa Population Chrétienne". Paris, 1905, р.194–195.</ref> Another population data source could be found in ], ]n and ] statistics of the era.<ref name="Sakellariou "/> According to these sources them the population of the area of Polykastro municipality was 7,000 people, 1,000 of whom ], 4,000 ] and 2,000 Muslims, mainly ].<ref name="Sakellariou "/>


===Macedonian Struggle=== ===Macedonian Struggle===
Line 25: Line 56:
<!-- Unsourced image removed: ] --> <!-- Unsourced image removed: ] -->


In the ] of 1904-1908 several Polykastrins fought against Bulgarian detachments of the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization (]) and Turkish Armies. Georgios Karaiskakis from Bogdanca (now in the Rep. of Macedonia) and his troop were the main defenders of the area. Georgios Karaiskakis "Vogdantsiotis" was acting in an area from Gevgelija and Stromnitsa (now ]) to Doirani, Polykastro and Aspros. We killed in a buttle near Strumica against Bulgarians in 1905<ref>In Greek: "The Armed Phase of Macedonian Struggle 1904-1908" K. Vakalopoulos, Thessaloniki</ref>. ] from Evzonoi was the most important Macedonian fighter against Bulgarians and took revenge for many assassinations of Greeks by Bulgarians. Georgios Koukogiannis from Metamorphossis with Asterios Demou and Lazaros Doitsinis from Evzonoi were defending their villages by Bulgarians. Konstantinos Argyriou from Polykastro with Traianos Antoniou and Demetrios Giovanis from Axiochorion were fighting and organising the Greek schools<ref name="Obscure">In Greek: Obscure Native Macedonian Fighters" Company of Macedonian Studies (CMS), University Studio Press, Thessaloniki, 2008]</ref><ref>In Greek: "The Armed Phase of Macedonian Struggle 1904-1908" K. Vakalopoulos, Thessaloniki</ref><ref name="Intos">In Greek: "Centers of Orginising, Action and Resistance of the Greeks of Kilkis Prefecture During the Macedonian Struggle" Christos Intos, Records of Convention "100 Years after Pavlos Melas' Death", Company of Macedonian Studies (CMS), Thessaloniki 2004</ref>. The ] of 1904–1908 aimed at liberating ] from the collapsing Ottoman Empire and uniting it with Greece; several Polykastrins fought against Bulgarian detachments of the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization (]) and Turkish Armies. The Greek commander ] from Bogdanca (now in the Republic of North Macedonia) and his troop were the main defenders of the area. Georgios Karaiskakis"Vogdantsiotis" was acting in an area from Gevgelija and Stromnitsa (now ]) to Doirani, Polykastro and Aspros. He was killed in a battle near Strumica against the Bulgarians in 1905.<ref name="ReferenceC">In Greek: "The Armed Phase of Macedonian Struggle 1904–1908" K. Vakalopoulos, Thessaloniki</ref> ] from Evzonoi was the most important Macedonian fighter against Bulgarians and took revenge for many assassinations of Greeks by Bulgarians. Georgios Koukogiannis from Metamorphossis with Asterios Demou and Lazaros Doitsinis from Evzonoi were defending their villages by Bulgarians. Konstantinos Argyriou from Polykastro with Traianos Antoniou and Demetrios Giovanis from Axiochorion were fighting and organising the Greek schools.<ref name="Intos">In Greek: "Centers of Organising, Action and Resistance of the Greeks of Kilkis Prefecture During the Macedonian Struggle" Christos Intos, Records of Convention "100 Years after Pavlos Melas' Death", Company of Macedonian Studies (CMS), Thessaloniki 2004</ref><ref name="Obscure">In Greek: Obscure Native Macedonian Fighters" Company of Macedonian Studies (CMS), University Studio Press, Thessaloniki, 2008</ref><ref name="ReferenceC"/>

Finally Polykastro and the area was captured by the Greek Army during the ] in 1912. Most of its ] population was expelled to Bulgaria.<ref>Georgi Daskalov; The Bulgarians in Aegean Macedonia – Myth or reality; 1996; p.145 (in Bulgarian)</ref> The area became again a war theatre during ] (]).

===Modern times===
]

Polykastro has witnessed the flow of ], from ] and other countries. Refugees who had arrived on the ] islands, and had subsequently been transported to ] or ] would then make their way to the border at ] to the north of Polykastro, often passing by the town on the highway. After the substantial closure of that border in 2015, refugees started camping out, for example at petrol stations on the highway. Humanitarian agency ] set up its offices for the area in Polykastro.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://activityreport2015.msf.org/country/greece/|title="MSF Activity Report 2015: Greece"|access-date=9 August 2017}}</ref>


⚫ ==Famous inhabitants==
Finally Polykastro and the area was liberated by the Greek Army during the ] in 1912.


⚫ *] (1875–1905), IMRO revolutionary
⚫ ==Famous inhabitants of Polykastro==
*], (1870–1935), Greek Macedonian leader in the ''Macedonian Struggle''
⚫ *] (1875-1905), IMRO revolutionary
*], (1870-1935), Greek Macedonian Leader in the ''Macedonian Struggle'' *] , Greek Macedonian leader in the ''Macedonian Struggle''
*] , Greek Macedonian Leader in the ''Macedonian Struggle''
*] (1904–1991), ] *] (1904–1991), ]
*], (1908-1981), member of parliament (1946-1967), minister of transport (1952-1954) *], (1908–1981), member of parliament (1946–1967), minister of transport (1952–1954)
*], international football player *], international football player
*], actor *], actor
*], champion runner *], champion runner
*Vasiliki Pappa, actress, singer


==References== ==References==
{{reflist}} {{reflist}}
{{Kilkis}}


==External links==
{{coord|41|00|N|22|34|E|region:GR_type:city_source:enwiki-GNS|display=title}}
{{commons category-inline|Polykastro}}


{{Paionia div}}
]
]


]
]
]
⚫ ]

Latest revision as of 11:27, 24 October 2024

For other uses, see Policastro. Municipal unit in Greece
Polykastro Πολύκαστρο
Municipal unit
General viewGeneral view
Polykastro is located in GreecePolykastroPolykastroLocation within the regional unit
Coordinates: 41°00′N 22°34′E / 41.000°N 22.567°E / 41.000; 22.567
CountryGreece
Administrative regionCentral Macedonia
Regional unitKilkis
MunicipalityPaionia
Area
 • Municipal unit312.7 km (120.7 sq mi)
 • Community45.8 km (17.7 sq mi)
Population
 • Municipal unit11,338
 • Municipal unit density36/km (94/sq mi)
 • Community6,609
 • Community density140/km (370/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)
Postal code612 00
Vehicle registrationΚΙ

Polykastro (Greek: Πολύκαστρο, before 1928 Καρασούλι, Karasoúli;) is a town and a former municipality in Kilkis regional unit of Central Macedonia, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Paionia, of which it is a municipal unit, and the seat. The municipal unit has an area of 312.717 km, the municipal unit 45.775 km. The municipal unit of Polykastro has 12,000 inhabitants, and includes Polykastro and 23 villages. It is built near the Axios River, on the road and railway from Thessaloniki to Belgrade. It was formerly known as Karasuli (Turkish), Mavrosuli or Rugunovec (Macedonian and Bulgarian: Ругуновец).

History

Macedonian Struggle monument
WWI British Military Cemetery near Polykastro (Doiran Memorial)

Ancient times

The area is inhabited since the Neolithic Era. There are two settlements from that era: in Axiochorion (Amydon) and in Limnotopos (Carabia). In the Bronze Age, 3500 to 3000 BC, Paeonians moved into the area. In Axiochorion was the capital of Paeonia, Amydon. Paeonians from Amydon took part in the Trojan War as Trojan allies, with King Pyraechmes and Asteropaeus. King Pelegon was the one who led Paeonians from the northern valley of the Axios river to the southern valley, now called Amphaxitis. Paeonians also, founded the town Chaetae in Tsaousitsa, near Pontoiraklia. In the 19th century BC, there was an invasion from the east. The invaders were Pelasgians, later known as Crestonians, as they inhabited Krestonia, east of Amphaxitis. In the 12th century BC Phrygians came in the area. Amydon became the first place of iron treatment in Southeast Europe. Phrygians founded the town Baerus or Vairos near the village Kastro. In the 5th century B.C. Macedonians conquered Amphaxitis and by that time, the Area of Polykastro followed the rest of Greece.

Roman and East Roman (Byzantine) times

In Roman times, Amydon was completely destroyed. The settlement in the region was called Tauriana and belonged in 2nd Division of Macedonia, with Thessaloniki as the capital. During Roman times, 2nd century BC to 4th century AD, Gauls, Goths and Germans made incursions. In Byzantine times there were many wars with the northern tribes, as Avars, Vardars, Bulgars and Slavs and the area was severely affected. In the 13th century, the Byzantine Emperors rebuilt the fortress of Vairos in order to face the northern enemies.

Ottoman times

In 1397 the area was conquered by the Ottoman Empire and Ottomans started a program of Islamification. Many people left the area to live in the mountains.

The Ottomans called the town Karasouli. That name comes from the Turkish words "kara"=black and "suli"=swamp. Another interpretation of the name, is that the Ottomans named it after a local man who had dark skin and was originally from Souli, Epirus.

According to Ottoman traveller Hadji Khalfa, the area was populated only by Greeks and Turks. After the 15th century the area relied on its agricultural economy. Many farm workers came from other places of the Ottoman Empire, in order to work because many locals refused to work in Ottoman owned farms. After the 16th century, many Sarakatsani arrived in the area from Epirus. During 17th and 18th centuries, Vlachs came also in the area, from Western Macedonia, removed because of Turkish/Albanian loots. It is remarkable that in the villages Evzoni and Korona, people used to speak a Romance dialect, called Megleno-Romanian. There are such speakers even nowadays. Researcher Maria Papageorgiou claims that a lot of plays of ancient Greek tragic poets, not preserved nowadays, were kept verbally, in this dialect, as tales.

During the Greek War of Independence, people of Polykastro fought against the Ottomans in the revolutionary movement of Bogdanci, but were unsuccessful. The revolution continued in southern Greece. Many fighters from Polykastro and nearby villages (such as Gevgelija, Bogdanci, etc.) went in Southern Greece to contribute. During the first provisional Greek government, a committee was established, called "Committee of North Macedonians", consisted of three members. One of the three members was from Bogdanci.

After 1850, five Greek communities had been established in the region; in Polykastro, Axiochori, Aspros, Evzonoi and Metamorfossis and four Greek schools; in Polykastro, Aspros, Axiochori and Evzonoi. Two Greek churches and one school were built in the village, they are known as Agii Anargyri (Taxiarches nowadays) and Agios Athanassios. In 1870 the railway station of Karasouli was established.

Late 19th century and early 20th century the conflict between Bulgarians and Greeks in Macedonia led to armed collisions. A lot of local Greek troops were acting in the region of Polykastro municipality. Georgios Vegyris, Georgios Didaskalou and Christos Doitsinis from village Evzoni organised troops against Bulgarians. In the nearby village of Vogoroitsa (now Bogorodica, in the Rep. of North Macedonia) act troops with leaders: Christos Dringas and Dimitrios Ouroumis. Also in Pardeitsa (now Prdeic, in the Rep. of North Macedonia) the teams of Aggelos Athanassiou and Aggelos Dakos act. Those troops were acting in the whole area from Bogdanci and Gevgeli, to Polykastro, Aspros and Doirani.

In 1900, the ethnic composition of the town had changed with many Turks, Adyghe and Romani immigrating to the area. However, according to Bulgarian scholars, Bulgarians still comprised the majority of the population. The ethnic composition of the village according to Vasil Kanchov in 1900 was 340 Bulgarians, 200 Turks, 12 Adyghe and 55 Romani people. The "La Macédoine et sa Population Chrétienne" survey by Dimitar Mishev concluded that the Christian population was composed of 312 Bulgarian Exarchists, 144 Bulgarian Patriarchists and 30 Romanis. Bulgarians maintainеd a school also, in the village in the beginning of the 20th century. Another population data source could be found in Ottoman, Bulgarian and Greek statistics of the era. According to these sources them the population of the area of Polykastro municipality was 7,000 people, 1,000 of whom Greeks, 4,000 Bulgarians and 2,000 Muslims, mainly Turks.

Macedonian Struggle

The Macedonian Struggle of 1904–1908 aimed at liberating Macedonia from the collapsing Ottoman Empire and uniting it with Greece; several Polykastrins fought against Bulgarian detachments of the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization (IMRO) and Turkish Armies. The Greek commander Georgios Karaiskakis from Bogdanca (now in the Republic of North Macedonia) and his troop were the main defenders of the area. Georgios Karaiskakis"Vogdantsiotis" was acting in an area from Gevgelija and Stromnitsa (now Strumica) to Doirani, Polykastro and Aspros. He was killed in a battle near Strumica against the Bulgarians in 1905. Michael Sionidis from Evzonoi was the most important Macedonian fighter against Bulgarians and took revenge for many assassinations of Greeks by Bulgarians. Georgios Koukogiannis from Metamorphossis with Asterios Demou and Lazaros Doitsinis from Evzonoi were defending their villages by Bulgarians. Konstantinos Argyriou from Polykastro with Traianos Antoniou and Demetrios Giovanis from Axiochorion were fighting and organising the Greek schools.

Finally Polykastro and the area was captured by the Greek Army during the First Balkan War in 1912. Most of its Bulgarian population was expelled to Bulgaria. The area became again a war theatre during WWI (Macedonian front).

Modern times

General view of the town

Polykastro has witnessed the flow of refugees, from Syria and other countries. Refugees who had arrived on the Southern Sporades islands, and had subsequently been transported to Athens or Thessaloniki would then make their way to the border at Idomeni to the north of Polykastro, often passing by the town on the highway. After the substantial closure of that border in 2015, refugees started camping out, for example at petrol stations on the highway. Humanitarian agency Médecins Sans Frontières set up its offices for the area in Polykastro.

Famous inhabitants

References

  1. "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.
  2. "Karasouli – Polykastron". Retrieved 2016-11-21. Pandektis: Name Changes of Settlements in Greece, compiled by the Institute for Neohellenic Research
  3. "Population & housing census 2001 (incl. area and average elevation)" (PDF) (in Greek). National Statistical Service of Greece.
  4. ^ (in Greek) Dikaeos Vassiliadis, "History of Polykastro", Polykastro
  5. ^ Vasil Kanchov, Macedonia; Ethnography and Statistics, 1900
  6. ^ "History of Macedonia I" N. G. L. Hammond, 1972
  7. ^ In Greek "Macedonia: 4.000 years of Greek Civilization" Sakellariou, 1990
  8. ^ "Historical Maps of Europe" Centennia, U.S.A. 1992
  9. ^ In Greek: "History of Modern Hellenism 1204–1985" K. Vakalopoulos, Thessaloniki
  10. ^ In Greek "The Cultural Identity of Greeks in Pelagonia (1912–1930)" Nikolaos Vassiliadis, Aristoteles University of Thessaloniki, 2004, p. 230
  11. In Greek: Neoklis Kazazis "To Makedonikon Problima (The Macedonian Problem". Athens, 1907
  12. In Greek: "Modern History of Macedonia 1830–1912" K. Vakalopoulos, Thessaloniki
  13. In Greek: "The Macedonian Struggle" K. Vakalopoulos, C. Nerantzis, 2000
  14. ^ In Greek: "Centers of Organising, Action and Resistance of the Greeks of Kilkis Prefecture During the Macedonian Struggle" Christos Intos, Records of Convention "100 Years after Pavlos Melas' Death", Company of Macedonian Studies (CMS), Thessaloniki 2004
  15. ^ In Greek: Obscure Native Macedonian Fighters" Company of Macedonian Studies (CMS), University Studio Press, Thessaloniki, 2008
  16. ^ Vasil Kanchov. „Makedoniya. Etnografiya i Statistika“. Sofiya, 1900, page.151.
  17. D.M.Brancoff. "La Macédoine et sa Population Chrétienne". Paris, 1905, р.194–195.
  18. ^ In Greek: "The Armed Phase of Macedonian Struggle 1904–1908" K. Vakalopoulos, Thessaloniki
  19. Georgi Daskalov; The Bulgarians in Aegean Macedonia – Myth or reality; 1996; p.145 (in Bulgarian)
  20. ""MSF Activity Report 2015: Greece"". Retrieved 9 August 2017.

External links

Media related to Polykastro at Wikimedia Commons

Subdivisions of the municipality of Paionia
Municipal unit of Axioupoli
Municipal unit of Evropos
  • Agios Petros
  • Evropos
  • Mesia
  • Polypetro
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Municipal unit of Goumenissa
Municipal unit of Livadia
Municipal unit of Polykastro
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