Karlovasi

In this article, we will delve into the fascinating world of Karlovasi. Throughout history, Karlovasi has played a fundamental role in society, impacting people's lives in various ways. From its origins to the present, Karlovasi has been the object of fascination, study and debate, generating endless opinions and perspectives that enrich our understanding of this topic. Through this in-depth and detailed analysis, we will explore the most relevant aspects of Karlovasi, delving into its historical importance, its contemporary implications and the future perspectives it holds for us. Get ready to embark on a journey of discovery and knowledge about Karlovasi!

Karlovasi
Καρλόβασι
Municipal unit
Central square of Karlovasi.
Central square of Karlovasi.
Karlovasi is located in Greece
Karlovasi
Karlovasi
Location within the regional unit
Coordinates: 37°47′N 26°42′E / 37.783°N 26.700°E / 37.783; 26.700
CountryGreece
Administrative regionNorth Aegean
Regional unitSamos
MunicipalityWest Samos
Area
 • Municipal unit100.3 km2 (38.7 sq mi)
Population
 (2021)[1]
 • Municipal unit
10,220
 • Municipal unit density100/km2 (260/sq mi)
 • Community
7,363
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)
Vehicle registrationΜΟ

Karlovasi (Greek: Καρλόβασι) is a town, a municipal unit, and a former municipality on the island of Samos, North Aegean, Greece. Since the 2019 local government reform it is part of the municipality West Samos, of which it is a municipal unit and the seat.[2] It is located on the northwest side of the island and it is considered the commercial center of the island. According to the 2021 census, the population of the municipal unit was 10,220 inhabitants.[1] Its land area is 100.330 km2.[3] The municipal unit shares the island of Samos with the municipal units of Vathy, Pythagoreio, and Marathokampos.

School of Sciences of University of the Aegean

Church Agios Nikolaos

The School of Sciences of University of the Aegean[4] is located in the town and currently there are three academic departments:

  • Department of Mathematics
  • Department of Information and Communication Systems Engineering
  • Department of Statistics and Actuarial - Financial Mathematics

There are over 1,000 active students living in the town throughout the year.[5]

History

Karlovasi is a town with a rich cultural and industrial history, being a flourishing tannery and tobacco manufacturing center in the early 1900s. Many magnificent neoclassical mansions can be seen from that period as well as the remains of the large stone-built factories at the "Ormos" seaside. The town's economy shifted to trade after World War II and the collapse of the leather market. Pottery and brick-making became a flourishing business due to the rare quality of the soil in the environs of Karlovasi while the town's market was continuously growing to become the largest and most important in the Island. The connection of the Karlovasi Port with Seferihisar's Sığacık, in Turkey, brings a large number of travelers in the island.

Lykourgos Logothetis, the island's leader during the Greek War of Independence was born here in 1772. Karlovasi is also closely linked to Yiannis Ritsos, one of the country's most important poets, who spend most of his summers in his Karlovasi house, now the residence of his daughter, author Eri Ritsou.

An earthquake with a moment magnitude of 7.0 occurred on 30 October 2020, about 14 km (8.7 mi) northeast of the Greek island of Samos. Many buildings at the town of Karlovasi were collapsed or damaged as the result of this event, which is known as the "Samos earthquake" by the International Seismological Centre.[citation needed]

Attractions

Karlovasi has an unusually large number of almost cathedral-size churches, due to the fact that the modern town was formed by the unification of four smaller ones, all of them hometowns of wealth patrons such as tannery moguls and ship owners. The main touristic sights are the Tannery Museum,[6] the Folklore Museum, the church of Agia Triada at Paleo Karlovasi, the 11th century church of Metamorfosis[7] and the adjoining Venetian castle at Potami. The waterfalls of Potami and the nearby beaches of Mikro and Megalo Seitani are among the islands most popular attractions.

Communities

The municipal unit contains ten communities (κοινότητες, koinótites).[8]

Community Community (Greek) Pop. 2021[1] Area (km2)
Karlovasi Καρλοβασι 7,363 21.36
Agioi Theodoroi Άγιοι Θεόδωροι 93 2.95
Drakaioi Δρακαίοι 75 10.18
Kastania Καστανιά 130 6.12
Kontaiika Κονταίικα 292 6.91
Kontakaiika Κοντακαίικα 1,076 8.33
Kosmadaioi Κοσμαδαίοι 72 13.30
Leka Λέκα 424 5.80
Platanos Πλάτανος 340 11.61
Ydroussa Υδρούσσα 355 14.09

References

  1. ^ a b c "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. ^ "Τροποποίηση του άρθρου 1 του ν. 3852/2010" [Amendment of Article 1 of l. 3852/2010] (in Greek). Government Gazette. p. 1164.
  3. ^ "Population & housing census 2001 (incl. area and average elevation)" (PDF) (in Greek). National Statistical Service of Greece. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-09-21.
  4. ^ "University of the Aegean | Samos University Unit". Archived from the original on 2012-08-18. Retrieved 2012-12-06.
  5. ^ "University of the Aegean | Welcome". Archived from the original on 2010-03-01. Retrieved 2010-03-28., by the University of the Aegean
  6. ^ "Μουσείο Βυρσοδεψίας στο Καρλόβασι Σάμου | samosin.gr". SamosIn (in Greek). Retrieved 2024-09-16.
  7. ^ "Metamorfosis Sotiros chapell or Panagia Potamou or Agia Sotiro". SamosIn. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
  8. ^ "Local Administrative Units (LAU)". Eurostat. Retrieved 2021-09-12.