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Coordinates: 39°57′10″N 22°37′40″E / 39.95278°N 22.62778°E / 39.95278; 22.62778
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| name = Aigani
| name = Aigani
| name_local = Αιγάνη
| name_local = Αιγάνη
| type = community
| image_map =
| image_map =
| map_caption =
| map_caption =
Line 10: Line 11:
| municipality = [[Tempi (municipality)|Tempi]]
| municipality = [[Tempi (municipality)|Tempi]]
| municunit = [[Kato Olympos]]
| municunit = [[Kato Olympos]]
| area = 0.3
| area = 21.0
| population = 535
| population = 1021
| area_community = 23
| population_as_of = 2021
| pop_community = 1134
| elevation = 192
⚫
| coordinates = {{coord|39|57|10|N|22|37|40|E|display=it}}
| population_as_of = 2011
| elevation_min = 250
| elevation_max = 385
⚫
| coordinates = {{coord|39|57|10|N|22|37|40|E}}
| postal_code =
| postal_code =
| area_code =
| area_code =
Line 23: Line 21:
}}
}}


'''Aigani''' or '''Egani''' ({{IPAc-en|ɛ|ˈ|g|ɑː|n|i}}; {{lang-el|Αιγάνη}}, {{IPA-el|eˈɣani|}}) is a village and Local Community ({{Lang|el|Τοπική κοινότητα}}) located on the northeastern border of the historical and [[Administrative regions of Greece|Administrative Region]] of [[Thessaly]], [[Greece]]. Since Greece's [[Kallikratis Plan|local government reforms of 2011]] the Local Community of Aigani is located in the municipal unit of [[Kato Olympos]] in the [[Tempi (municipality)|Tempi municipality]] within the [[Larissa (regional unit)|Larissa Regional Unit]] of Thessaly.<ref name="Kallikratis">[http://www.kedke.gr/uploads2010/FEKB129211082010_kallikratis.pdf Kallikratis law] Greece Ministry of Interior {{in lang|el}}</ref> The Local Community of Aigani consists of five settlements{{Efn|Prior to Greece's local government reform of 2011 the community of Aigani consisted of four settlements.|name=|group=lower-alpha}} and has a total of 1,134 inhabitants as of the 2011 census.<ref name=":0">[http://www.statistics.gr/documents/20181/1210503/resident_population_census2011rev.xls "Απογραφή Πληθυσμού 2011. ΜΟΝΙΜΟΣ Πληθυσμός"] [''Census 2011. Permanent Population''] (XLS) (in Greek). Ελληνική Στατιστική Αρχή [''Hellenic Statistical Authority'']. 2011. Retrieved 2020-05-09. [https://www.statistics.gr/el/statistics/-/publication/SAM03/2011 Hellenic Statistical Authority website.]</ref>
'''Aigani''' or '''Egani''' ({{IPAc-en|ɛ|ˈ|g|ɑː|n|i}}; {{lang-el|Αιγάνη}}, {{IPA-el|eˈɣani|}}) is a village and Local Community ({{Lang|el|Τοπική κοινότητα}}) located on the northeastern border of the historical and [[Administrative regions of Greece|Administrative Region]] of [[Thessaly]], [[Greece]]. Since Greece's [[Kallikratis Plan|local government reforms of 2011]] the Local Community of Aigani is located in the municipal unit of [[Kato Olympos]] in the [[Tempi (municipality)|Tempi municipality]] within the [[Larissa (regional unit)|Larissa Regional Unit]] of Thessaly.<ref name="Kallikratis">{{Cite web|url=http://www.et.gr/idocs-nph/search/pdfViewerForm.html?args=5C7QrtC22wGYK2xFpSwMnXdtvSoClrL81-32jgAMSfbnMRVjyfnPUeJInJ48_97uHrMts-zFzeyCiBSQOpYnT00MHhcXFRTsb2fGphpq4MKX2ZkaHobySNnvZCNHXvYVvlf80XevW0Q.|title=ΦΕΚ B 1292/2010, Kallikratis reform municipalities|language=el|publisher=[[Government Gazette (Greece)|Government Gazette]]}}</ref> The Local Community of Aigani consists of five settlements.{{Efn|Prior to Greece's local government reform of 2011 the community of Aigani consisted of four settlements.|name=|group=lower-alpha}}


== Etymology ==
== Etymology ==
The name Aigani comes from the {{Lang-el|αιξ}} or {{Lang|el|αίγα}}{{Efn|{{Lang-el|αιξ|translit=eks}}, {{IPA-el|eks|pron}}<br>{{Lang-el|αίγα|translit=éga}}, {{IPA-el|ˈe.ɣa|pron}}|name=|group=lower-alpha}} which in turn derive directly from {{Lang-grc|αἴξ/αἶγα}}{{Efn|{{Lang-grc|αἴξ|translit=aíks}}, {{IPA-grc|ai̯&#833;ks|pron}}<br>{{Lang-grc|αἶγα|translit=aȋga}}, {{IPA-grc|ai̯&#770;.ga|pron}}|name=|group=lower-alpha}} and are terms for a 'nanny-goat.'<ref>{{Cite web|title=αἴξ|url=https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%CE%B1%E1%BC%B4%CE%BE|last=|first=|date=|website=Wiktionary|access-date=2020-05-04}}</ref> The village name, therefore, could be roughly translated as 'the place of goats.' Goats and sheep are raised by many in the village and their meat can be found in the village's taverns alongside traditionally made [[loukaniko]], wine, and [[tsipouro]] for which the village is known.
The name Aigani can be roughly translated as 'the place of goats' and comes from the {{Lang-el|αιξ}} or {{Lang|el|αίγα}}{{Efn|{{Lang-el|αιξ|translit=eks}}, {{IPA-el|eks|pron}}<br>{{Lang-el|αίγα|translit=éga}}, {{IPA-el|ˈe.ɣa|pron}}|name=|group=lower-alpha}} which in turn derive directly from {{Lang-grc|αἴξ/αἶγα}}{{Efn|{{Lang-grc|αἴξ|translit=aíks}}, {{IPA-grc|ai̯&#833;ks|pron}}<br>{{Lang-grc|αἶγα|translit=aȋga}}, {{IPA-grc|ai̯&#770;.ga|pron}}|name=|group=lower-alpha}} and mean 'nanny-goat.'<ref>{{Cite web|title=αἴξ|url=https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%CE%B1%E1%BC%B4%CE%BE|last=|first=|date=|website=Wiktionary|access-date=2020-05-04}}</ref> Goats and sheep are raised by many in the village and their meat can be found in the village's taverns alongside traditionally made [[loukaniko]], wine, and the [[tsipouro]] for which the village is known.


== Village of Aigani ==
== Village of Aigani ==
The largest settlement in the community is the eponymous mountain village of Aigani which has 535 inhabitants.<ref name=":0" /> The village is located at an altitude of around {{Convert|290|meters|ft|abbr=on}} on the southeastern face of the [[foothills]] of [[Mount Olympus]]{{Efn|These southern foothills are collectively known as {{Lang|el|Κάτο Όλυμπος}}, {{Lang|el-Latn|Káto Ólympos}}, {{Literal translation|Lower Olympus}}|name=|group=lower-alpha}} overlooking the [[Pineios (Thessaly)|Pineios]] river delta and [[Thermaikos Gulf]]. The area has been an active human settlement since at least the middle Byzantine period. The village is {{Convert|10|km|0|abbr=on}} from the community's coastal settlements of [[Nea Mesangala]] and [[Kastri-Loutro]], as well as the neighboring seaside towns of [[Platamon]]a, [[Neoi Poroi]]. The cities of [[Larissa]] and [[Katerini]] are roughly {{Convert|50|km|mi|abbr=on}} to the southwest and north, respectively.
The largest settlement in the community is the eponymous mountain village of Aigani. The village is located at an altitude of around {{Convert|290|meters|ft|abbr=on}} on the southeastern face of the [[foothills]] of [[Mount Olympus]]{{Efn|These southern foothills are collectively known as {{Lang|el|Κάτο Όλυμπος}}, {{Lang|el-Latn|Káto Ólympos}}, {{Literal translation|Lower Olympus}}|name=|group=lower-alpha}} overlooking the [[Pineios (Thessaly)|Pineios]] river delta and [[Thermaikos Gulf]]. The area has been an active human settlement since at least the middle Byzantine period. The village is {{Convert|10|km|0|abbr=on}} from the community's coastal settlements of [[Nea Mesangala]] and [[Kastri-Loutro]], as well as the neighboring seaside towns of [[Platamon]]a and [[Neoi Poroi]]. The cities of [[Larissa]] and [[Katerini]] are roughly {{Convert|50|km|mi|abbr=on}} to the southwest and north, respectively.
[[File:Prophet Elias church in Aigani.jpg|left|thumb|250x250px|A view of the village of Aigani and the Pineios river delta from the hill of Prophet Elias.]]As is typical for Greek mountain villages, Aigani is densely packed with winding, narrow streets. The village is centered on a town square or {{Lang|el-Latn|platia}} ({{Lang|el|πλατεία}}) which has large [[Platanus orientalis|sycamores]] and a fountain at its center. Surrounding the platia are taverns and shops. The platia is where many of Aigani's annual festivals and feasts take place. Aigani has sports facilities in the form of [[Basketball court|basketball]], [[handball]], and [[Tennis court|tennis]] courts as well as a [[football pitch]] which is home to the village's local football club. An outdoor theater constructed in 2016 hosts concerts and plays throughout the summer and serves as a venue for many local and regional summer festivals.<ref>{{Cite web|title=|url=http://www.kosmoslarissa.gr/blog/tempi/ena-theatro-stolidi-stin-aigani|last=|first=|date=2016-06-30|website=Kosmos Larissa|language=el|script-title=el:Eνα θέατρο στολίδι στην Αιγάνη|trans-title=A theater decorates Aigani|access-date=2019-07-17}}</ref>
[[File:Prophet Elias church in Aigani.jpg|left|thumb|250x250px|A view of the village of Aigani and the Pineios river delta from the hill of Prophet Elias.]]As is typical for Greek mountain villages, Aigani is densely packed with winding, narrow streets. The village is centered on a town square, or {{Lang|el-Latn|platia}} ({{Lang|el|πλατεία}}), which has large [[Platanus orientalis|sycamores]] and a fountain at its center. The square is surrounded taverns and shops, and is where many of Aigani's annual festivals and feasts take place. Aigani has sports facilities in the form of [[Basketball court|basketball]], [[handball]], and [[Tennis court|tennis]] courts as well as a [[football pitch]] which is home to the village's local football club. An outdoor theater constructed in 2016 hosts concerts and plays throughout the summer and serves as a venue for many local and regional summer festivals.<ref>{{Cite web|title=|url=http://www.kosmoslarissa.gr/blog/tempi/ena-theatro-stolidi-stin-aigani|last=|first=|date=2016-06-30|website=Kosmos Larissa|language=el|script-title=el:Eνα θέατρο στολίδι στην Αιγάνη|trans-title=A theater decorates Aigani|access-date=2019-07-17}}</ref>


Aigani has several small churches throughout the village. The largest of which is the church of the [[Nativity of Mary|Birth of the Virgin Mary]] which was once a monastery. At the village's highest peak is the church of the [[Elijah#Pagan associations and mountaintops|Prophet Elias]] with sweeping views of the valley below, the Olympian hills to the north, and [[Mount Ossa (Greece)|Mount Kissavos]] to the south. One of the most historically important places in Aigani is the church of [[Athanasius of Alexandria|Saint Athanasios]], which lies in a valley just north of the village. The church was built in the 14th century at the latest and is the oldest known church in all of Thessaly.<ref>{{Cite web|title=|url=https://pirgetos.com/%ce%b7-%ce%b1%ce%b9%ce%b3%ce%ac%ce%bd%ce%b7-%ce%b5%ce%af%ce%bd%ce%b1%ce%b9-%ce%ad%ce%bd%ce%b1-%cf%87%cf%89%cf%81%ce%b9%cf%8c-%cf%84%ce%b7%cf%82-%ce%b8%ce%b5%cf%83%cf%83%ce%b1%ce%bb%ce%af%ce%b1%cf%82/|last=|first=|date=2012|website=Πυργετός Λάρισας|language=el|script-title=el:Αιγάνη|access-date=2020-05-09}}</ref> Unfortunately the church is not well preserved and many of the ancient icons and paintings have disappeared or been damaged.
Aigani has several small churches throughout the village, the largest of which is the church of the [[Nativity of Mary|Birth of the Virgin Mary]]. At the village's highest peak is the church of the [[Elijah#Pagan associations and mountaintops|Prophet Elias]], with sweeping views of the valley below, the Olympian hills to the north, and [[Mount Ossa (Greece)|Mount Kissavos]] to the south. One of the most historically important places in Aigani is the church of [[Athanasius of Alexandria|Saint Athanasios]], which lies in a valley just north of the village. The church was built in the 14th century at the latest and is the oldest known church in all of Thessaly.<ref>{{Cite web|title=|url=https://pirgetos.com/%ce%b7-%ce%b1%ce%b9%ce%b3%ce%ac%ce%bd%ce%b7-%ce%b5%ce%af%ce%bd%ce%b1%ce%b9-%ce%ad%ce%bd%ce%b1-%cf%87%cf%89%cf%81%ce%b9%cf%8c-%cf%84%ce%b7%cf%82-%ce%b8%ce%b5%cf%83%cf%83%ce%b1%ce%bb%ce%af%ce%b1%cf%82/|last=|first=|date=2012|website=Πυργετός Λάρισας|language=el|script-title=el:Αιγάνη|access-date=2020-05-09}}</ref> Unfortunately the church is not well preserved and many of the ancient icons and paintings have disappeared or been damaged.


A small road towards the top of Aigani leads south through the mountains towards a monastery devoted to [[Nicodemus the Hagiorite|Nicodemus the Agiorite]] and continues on to the nearby villages of [[Krania, Tempi|Krania]] and [[Rapsani]].
A small road towards the top of Aigani leads south through the mountains towards a monastery devoted to [[Nicodemus the Hagiorite|Nicodemus the Agiorite]] and continues on to the nearby villages of [[Krania, Tempi|Krania]] and [[Rapsani]].
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Aigani is a semi-mountainous community with an area of just {{Convert|23|km2|0|abbr=on}} that is defined by mountain, farmland, and sea. The quickly growing beach towns of [[Nea Mesangala]] and [[Kastri-Loutro]] have 498 inhabitants and lie on the sandy beaches formed by the Pineios river delta and are renowned in Greece for their wide dunes; their warm, shallow, and calm waters; and their inexpensive beach bars, taverns, and hotels. Directly below the village of Aigani, along the [[Motorway 1 (Greece)|national road]], are the small settlements of [[Kato Aigani (Tempi)|Kato Aigani]] ({{Lang|el|Κάτο Αιγάνη}}, {{Literal translation|lower Aigani}}) and [[Papapouli (Tempi)|Papapouli]] ({{Lang|el|Παπαπούλι}}) which collectively have 101 inhabitants.
Aigani is a semi-mountainous community with an area of just {{Convert|23|km2|0|abbr=on}} that is defined by mountain, farmland, and sea. The quickly growing beach towns of [[Nea Mesangala]] and [[Kastri-Loutro]] have 498 inhabitants and lie on the sandy beaches formed by the Pineios river delta and are renowned in Greece for their wide dunes; their warm, shallow, and calm waters; and their inexpensive beach bars, taverns, and hotels. Directly below the village of Aigani, along the [[Motorway 1 (Greece)|national road]], are the small settlements of [[Kato Aigani (Tempi)|Kato Aigani]] ({{Lang|el|Κάτο Αιγάνη}}, {{Literal translation|lower Aigani}}) and [[Papapouli (Tempi)|Papapouli]] ({{Lang|el|Παπαπούλι}}) which collectively have 101 inhabitants.


Until the end of the [[Balkan Wars]] in 1913, the northern border of Thessaly marked the end of free Greece. Aigani was, therefore, the final community before entering [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] occupied Greece and was known as a safe haven by those fleeing Ottoman persecution. A cement pillar marking this border can still be found on the hill of Prophet Elias in Aigani.
Until the end of the [[Balkan Wars]] in 1913, the northern border of Thessaly marked the end of free Greece. Aigani was therefore the final community before entering [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] occupied Greece and was known as a safe haven by those fleeing Ottoman persecution. A cement pillar marking this border can still be found on the hill of Prophet Elias in Aigani.


== Demographics ==
== Demographics ==
{{Historical populations
|title = Population of the community of Aigani
|source = Population censuses<ref>{{Cite web|title=|url=http://www.dko.gr/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=50&Itemid=265|last=|first=|date=2012-04-25|language=el|script-title=el:Δήμος Κάτω Ολύμπου - Αιγάνης|trans-title=Municipality of Kato Olympos - Aigani|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425092513/http://www.dko.gr/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=50&Itemid=265|archive-date=2012-04-25|access-date=2020-05-09}}</ref><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 |url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150921212047/http://dlib.statistics.gr/Book/GRESYE_02_0101_00098%20.pdf |archivedate=2015-09-21 }}</ref><ref name=census11>{{cite web | url = http://www.statistics.gr/documents/20181/1210503/resident_population_census2011rev.xls | title = Απογραφή Πληθυσμού - Κατοικιών 2011. ΜΟΝΙΜΟΣ Πληθυσμός | publisher = Hellenic Statistical Authority | language = el }}</ref><ref name="census21"/>
|align = none
|1961|1082
⚫
|1971|898
⚫
|1981|913
⚫
|1991|878
⚫
|2001|857
|2011|1134
|2021|1021
⚫
}}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+
|+
Settlement Populations in the Community of Aigani
Settlement Populations in the Community of Aigani
!Settlement
!Settlement
!Pop. 1991<ref><bdi>[https://www.statistics.gr/el/statistics?p_p_id=documents_WAR_publicationsportlet_INSTANCE_VBZOni0vs5VJ&p_p_lifecycle=2&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&p_p_cacheability=cacheLevelPage&p_p_col_id=column-2&p_p_col_count=4&p_p_col_pos=2&_documents_WAR_publicationsportlet_INSTANCE_VBZOni0vs5VJ_javax.faces.resource=document&_documents_WAR_publicationsportlet_INSTANCE_VBZOni0vs5VJ_ln=downloadResources&_documents_WAR_publicationsportlet_INSTANCE_VBZOni0vs5VJ_documentID=172510&_documents_WAR_publicationsportlet_INSTANCE_VBZOni0vs5VJ_locale=el Απογραφή Πληθυσμού 1991]</bdi> &#x5B;''Census 1991''&#x5D; (XLS) (in Greek). Ελληνική Στατιστική Αρχή [''Hellenic Statistical Authority'']. 1991. Retrieved 2020-05-09. [https://www.statistics.gr/el/statistics/-/publication/SAM03/1991 Hellenic Statistical Authority website].</ref>
!Pop. 1991<ref>[https://www.statistics.gr/el/statistics?p_p_id=documents_WAR_publicationsportlet_INSTANCE_VBZOni0vs5VJ&p_p_lifecycle=2&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&p_p_cacheability=cacheLevelPage&p_p_col_id=column-2&p_p_col_count=4&p_p_col_pos=2&_documents_WAR_publicationsportlet_INSTANCE_VBZOni0vs5VJ_javax.faces.resource=document&_documents_WAR_publicationsportlet_INSTANCE_VBZOni0vs5VJ_ln=downloadResources&_documents_WAR_publicationsportlet_INSTANCE_VBZOni0vs5VJ_documentID=172510&_documents_WAR_publicationsportlet_INSTANCE_VBZOni0vs5VJ_locale=el Απογραφή Πληθυσμού 1991] %5B''Census 1991''%5D (XLS) (in Greek). Ελληνική Στατιστική Αρχή [''Hellenic Statistical Authority'']. 1991. Retrieved 2020-05-09. [https://www.statistics.gr/el/statistics/-/publication/SAM03/1991 Hellenic Statistical Authority website].</ref>
!Pop 2001<ref name=stat01/>
!Pop 2001<ref><bdi>[https://www.statistics.gr/el/statistics?p_p_id=documents_WAR_publicationsportlet_INSTANCE_VBZOni0vs5VJ&p_p_lifecycle=2&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&p_p_cacheability=cacheLevelPage&p_p_col_id=column-2&p_p_col_count=4&p_p_col_pos=2&_documents_WAR_publicationsportlet_INSTANCE_VBZOni0vs5VJ_javax.faces.resource=document&_documents_WAR_publicationsportlet_INSTANCE_VBZOni0vs5VJ_ln=downloadResources&_documents_WAR_publicationsportlet_INSTANCE_VBZOni0vs5VJ_documentID=221134&_documents_WAR_publicationsportlet_INSTANCE_VBZOni0vs5VJ_locale=el Απογραφή Πληθυσμού 2001]</bdi> &#x5B;''Census 2001''&#x5D; (XLS) (in Greek). Ελληνική Στατιστική Αρχή [''Hellenic Statistical Authority'']. 2001. Retrieved 2020-05-09. [https://www.statistics.gr/el/statistics/-/publication/SAM03/2001 Hellenic Statistical Authority website].</ref>
!Pop 2011<ref name=":0" />
!Pop 2011<ref name="census11" />
!Pop 2021<ref name="census21" />
|-
|-
|'''Aigani'''
|Aigani
|694
|694
|558
|558
|535
|535
|487
|-
|-
|[[Kato Aigani (Tempi)|'''Kato Aigani''']]
|[[Kato Aigani (Tempi)|Kato Aigani]]
|105
|105
|77
|77
|98
|98
|109
|-
|-
|[[Papapouli (Tempi)|'''Papapouli''']]
|[[Papapouli (Tempi)|Papapouli]]
|7
|7
|23
|23
|3
|3
|15
|-
|-
|'''[[Nea Mesangala]]'''
|[[Nea Mesangala]]
|72
|72
|199
|199
|388
|388
|331
|-
|-
|'''[[Kastri-Loutro]]{{Efn|Prior to Greece's [[Kallikratis Plan|local government reform of 2011]] Kastri-Loutro was counted as part of Nea Mesangala.|name=|group=lower-alpha}}'''
|[[Kastri-Loutro]]{{Efn|Prior to Greece's [[Kallikratis Plan|local government reform of 2011]] Kastri-Loutro was counted as part of Nea Mesangala.|name=|group=lower-alpha}}
|
|
|
|
|110
|110
|79
|-
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''Total'''
Line 79: Line 95:
|'''857'''
|'''857'''
|'''1,134'''
|'''1,134'''
⚫
|'''1,021'''
|}
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+Local Community Historical Population
!Year
!Population<ref>{{Cite web|title=|url=http://www.dko.gr/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=50&Itemid=265|last=|first=|date=2012-04-25|language=el|script-title=el:Δήμος Κάτω Ολύμπου - Αιγάνης|trans-title=Municipality of Kato Olympos - Aigani|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425092513/http://www.dko.gr/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=50&Itemid=265|archive-date=2012-04-25|access-date=2020-05-09}}</ref>
|-
⚫
|'''2011'''
|1,134
|-
|'''2001'''
⚫
|857
|-
|'''1991'''
⚫
|878
|-
|'''1981'''
⚫
|913
|-
|'''1971'''
⚫
|898
|-
|'''1961'''
|1,082
⚫
|}
<br />
==See also==
==See also==
*[[Nea Mesangala]]
*[[Kastri-Loutro]]
*[[Platamon]]a
*[[Platamon]]a
*[[Neoi Poroi]]
*[[Neoi Poroi]]
Line 119: Line 111:


[[Category:Populated places in Larissa (regional unit)]]
[[Category:Populated places in Larissa (regional unit)]]
[[Category:Tempi (municipality)]]

Latest revision as of 11:16, 15 April 2024

Aigani
Αιγάνη
Community
View of Aigani from the village theater.
View of Aigani from the village theater.
Aigani is located in Greece
Aigani
Aigani
Coordinates: 39°57′10″N 22°37′40″E / 39.95278°N 22.62778°E / 39.95278; 22.62778
CountryGreece
Administrative regionThessaly
Regional unitLarissa
MunicipalityTempi
Municipal unitKato Olympos
Area
 • Community21.0 km2 (8.1 sq mi)
Elevation
192 m (630 ft)
Population
 (2021)[1]
 • Community1,021
 • Density49/km2 (130/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)
Vehicle registrationPI

Aigani or Egani (/ɛˈɡɑːni/; Greek: Αιγάνη, [eˈɣani]) is a village and Local Community (Τοπική κοινότητα) located on the northeastern border of the historical and Administrative Region of Thessaly, Greece. Since Greece's local government reforms of 2011 the Local Community of Aigani is located in the municipal unit of Kato Olympos in the Tempi municipality within the Larissa Regional Unit of Thessaly.[2] The Local Community of Aigani consists of five settlements.[a]

Etymology

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The name Aigani can be roughly translated as 'the place of goats' and comes from the Greek: αιξ or αίγα[b] which in turn derive directly from Ancient Greek: αἴξ/αἶγα[c] and mean 'nanny-goat.'[3] Goats and sheep are raised by many in the village and their meat can be found in the village's taverns alongside traditionally made loukaniko, wine, and the tsipouro for which the village is known.

Village of Aigani

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The largest settlement in the community is the eponymous mountain village of Aigani. The village is located at an altitude of around 290 m (950 ft) on the southeastern face of the foothills of Mount Olympus[d] overlooking the Pineios river delta and Thermaikos Gulf. The area has been an active human settlement since at least the middle Byzantine period. The village is 10 km (6 mi) from the community's coastal settlements of Nea Mesangala and Kastri-Loutro, as well as the neighboring seaside towns of Platamona and Neoi Poroi. The cities of Larissa and Katerini are roughly 50 km (31 mi) to the southwest and north, respectively.

A view of the village of Aigani and the Pineios river delta from the hill of Prophet Elias.

As is typical for Greek mountain villages, Aigani is densely packed with winding, narrow streets. The village is centered on a town square, or platia (πλατεία), which has large sycamores and a fountain at its center. The square is surrounded taverns and shops, and is where many of Aigani's annual festivals and feasts take place. Aigani has sports facilities in the form of basketball, handball, and tennis courts as well as a football pitch which is home to the village's local football club. An outdoor theater constructed in 2016 hosts concerts and plays throughout the summer and serves as a venue for many local and regional summer festivals.[4]

Aigani has several small churches throughout the village, the largest of which is the church of the Birth of the Virgin Mary. At the village's highest peak is the church of the Prophet Elias, with sweeping views of the valley below, the Olympian hills to the north, and Mount Kissavos to the south. One of the most historically important places in Aigani is the church of Saint Athanasios, which lies in a valley just north of the village. The church was built in the 14th century at the latest and is the oldest known church in all of Thessaly.[5] Unfortunately the church is not well preserved and many of the ancient icons and paintings have disappeared or been damaged.

A small road towards the top of Aigani leads south through the mountains towards a monastery devoted to Nicodemus the Agiorite and continues on to the nearby villages of Krania and Rapsani.

Local community of Aigani

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Aigani is a semi-mountainous community with an area of just 23 km2 (9 sq mi) that is defined by mountain, farmland, and sea. The quickly growing beach towns of Nea Mesangala and Kastri-Loutro have 498 inhabitants and lie on the sandy beaches formed by the Pineios river delta and are renowned in Greece for their wide dunes; their warm, shallow, and calm waters; and their inexpensive beach bars, taverns, and hotels. Directly below the village of Aigani, along the national road, are the small settlements of Kato Aigani (Κάτο Αιγάνη, lit. 'lower Aigani') and Papapouli (Παπαπούλι) which collectively have 101 inhabitants.

Until the end of the Balkan Wars in 1913, the northern border of Thessaly marked the end of free Greece. Aigani was therefore the final community before entering Ottoman occupied Greece and was known as a safe haven by those fleeing Ottoman persecution. A cement pillar marking this border can still be found on the hill of Prophet Elias in Aigani.

Demographics

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Population of the community of Aigani
YearPop.±%
19611,082—    
1971898−17.0%
1981913+1.7%
1991878−3.8%
2001857−2.4%
20111,134+32.3%
20211,021−10.0%
Source: Population censuses[6][7][8][1]
Settlement Populations in the Community of Aigani
Settlement Pop. 1991[9] Pop 2001[7] Pop 2011[8] Pop 2021[1]
Aigani 694 558 535 487
Kato Aigani 105 77 98 109
Papapouli 7 23 3 15
Nea Mesangala 72 199 388 331
Kastri-Loutro[e] 110 79
Total 878 857 1,134 1,021

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Prior to Greece's local government reform of 2011 the community of Aigani consisted of four settlements.
  2. ^ Greek: αιξ, romanized: eks, pronounced [eks]
    Greek: αίγα, romanized: éga, pronounced [ˈe.ɣa]
  3. ^ Ancient Greek: αἴξ, romanized: aíks, pronounced [aí̯ks]
    Ancient Greek: αἶγα, romanized: aȋga, pronounced [aî̯.ga]
  4. ^ These southern foothills are collectively known as Κάτο Όλυμπος, Káto Ólympos, lit. 'Lower Olympus'
  5. ^ Prior to Greece's local government reform of 2011 Kastri-Loutro was counted as part of Nea Mesangala.

References

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  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. ^ "ΦΕΚ B 1292/2010, Kallikratis reform municipalities" (in Greek). Government Gazette.
  3. ^ "αἴξ". Wiktionary. Retrieved 2020-05-04.
  4. ^ Eνα θέατρο στολίδι στην Αιγάνη [A theater decorates Aigani]. Kosmos Larissa (in Greek). 2016-06-30. Retrieved 2019-07-17.
  5. ^ Αιγάνη. Πυργετός Λάρισας (in Greek). 2012. Retrieved 2020-05-09.
  6. ^ Δήμος Κάτω Ολύμπου - Αιγάνης [Municipality of Kato Olympos - Aigani] (in Greek). 2012-04-25. Archived from the original on 2012-04-25. Retrieved 2020-05-09.
  7. ^ a b "Population & housing census 2001 (incl. area and average elevation)" (PDF) (in Greek). National Statistical Service of Greece. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2015-09-21.
  8. ^ a b "Απογραφή Πληθυσμού - Κατοικιών 2011. ΜΟΝΙΜΟΣ Πληθυσμός" (in Greek). Hellenic Statistical Authority.
  9. ^ Απογραφή Πληθυσμού 1991 %5BCensus 1991%5D (XLS) (in Greek). Ελληνική Στατιστική Αρχή [Hellenic Statistical Authority]. 1991. Retrieved 2020-05-09. Hellenic Statistical Authority website.
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