Neos Marmaras

Summary

Neos Marmaras (Greek: Νέος Μαρμαράς, Néos Marmarás, pronounced [ˌneos marmaˈras], "New Marmara") is a town on the Sithonia peninsula, in the Chalkidiki peninsula, Macedonia, Greece. In 2021, Neos Marmaras had 3,038 permanent residents; however, the summer-time population has been estimated at 20,000.[2] The main industries are tourism, agriculture (olives, wine, and honey), and fishing. Situated on three shoreline hills, below the two mountains, Itamos and Tragoudeli (singing mountain), Neos Marmaras is located 125 kilometres (78 mi) from Thessaloniki, 55 kilometres (34 mi) from Poligyros and 9 kilometres (6 mi) from Elia (Nikiti).

Neos Marmaras
Νέος Μαρμαράς
Neos Marmaras is located in Greece
Neos Marmaras
Neos Marmaras
Coordinates: 40°06′N 23°47′E / 40.100°N 23.783°E / 40.100; 23.783
CountryGreece
Administrative regionCentral Macedonia
Regional unitChalkidiki
MunicipalitySithonia
Municipal unitSithonia
Population
 (2021)[1]
 • Community3,038
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)
Taxiarches church

History edit

Most of the residents are originally from Marmara Island, in the Sea of Marmara, and from Parthenonas, a small village on the mountain, Itamos.

Neos Marmaras was formed in 1925 by Greek refugees from Marmara Island following the Asia Minor catastrophe and exchange of populations with Turkey.

In 1970, the traditional inland hill village of Parthenonas was abandoned and these inhabitants moved down to the coast and also settled in Neos Marmaras boosting its population.

Since the 1980s, Neos Marmaras has become a popular tourist town with numerous cafes, restaurants and bars along the waterfront being very busy in the summer months.

Historic Population edit

Historic Population Evolution of Neos Marmaras[3]
Year Population
1940 1.238 _
1951 1.337 8,0
1961 1.587 18,7
1971 1.706 7,5
1981 2.407 41,1
1991 2.474 2,8
2001 2.840 14,8
2011 3.352 18,0
2021 3.038 -9,3

Porto Carras edit

Porto Carras is a big 5-star resort outside Neos Marmaras. It is one of the biggest in northern Greece. There is also a famous wine from Porto Carras called Domaine Porto Carras.

Settlements edit

Neos Marmaras has numerous settlements and islands including:

  • Paradeisos (Greek: Παράδεισος, pronounced [paˈraðisos]), a small settlement close to Neos Marmaras. It has approximately 40 people and lies just downhill of Marmaras in a low-lying area.
  • Agia Kyriaki (Greek: Αγία Κυριακή, pronounced [aˌʝia ciriaˈci]), a very small marina and fishing settlement in a small bay outside Marmaras with some 20 people living there in the summertime.
  • Imeri Elia (Greek: Ήμερη Ελιά, pronounced [ˌimeri eˈʎa]) is a small settlement close to Porto Carras. Some older mills are found in the river, Potamos Neou Marmara near Imeri Elia. The area has some 20 people living there in summer.
  • Azapiko Beach (Greek: Αζάπικο, pronounced [aˈzapiko]), a famous beach outside Marmaras, with only 5 people living there in summertime.
  • Kelyfos Island (Greek: Κέλυφος, pronounced [ˈcelifos]), meaning Shield Island in Greek, is an island located just outside the bay of Neos Marmaras. It is also called Turtle Island, as the island is said to look like a turtle. The island was a strategic hiding point during the ancient days of Greece and in some cases during the Second World War.
  • Spalathronisia (Greek: Σπαλαθρονήσια, pronounced [spalaθroˈnisça]). This island is located near Azapiko beach. It is the biggest island on the west side of Sithonia peninsula.

Climate edit

The climate is hot in the summer and mild in the winter, due to its location on higher grounds. The winters are rainier than the summers in Neos Marmaras. It rains a lot in the village, specially winter time but the village has seen snow several times. The areas surrounding Neos Marmaras, especially the village of Parthenonas has seen snow almost every winter.

References edit

  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. ^ Neos Marmaras, Halkidiki
  3. ^ http://dlib.statistics.gr/portal/page/portal/ESYE/categoryyears?p_cat=10007862&p_topic=10007862

External links edit

  • Official website
  • Find information for Neos Marmaras and every other city of Halkidiki
  • http://www.portocarras.com/domain-porto-carras.html
  • http://www.portocarras.com/
  • Panoramic view of Neos Marmaras