3. 1ST HIGH SCHOOL OF GIANNITSA-
PELLA-GREECE
TOURIST GUIDE BY 3RD FORM STUDENTS
ENGLISH CLASS ADVANCED
4. GIANNITSA
Giannitsa (Greek: Γιαννιτσά [ʝaniˈt͡sa], in English also Yannitsa, Yenitsa) is the largest
city in the regional unit of Pella and the capital of the Pella municipality, in the region
of Central Macedonia in northern Greece. Its population is 31,983 people. The
community of Giannitsa includes a few outlying villages. The municipality as a whole
includes many villages and has 63,122 inhabitants. The city is located in the center of
Macedonia between Mount Paiko and the plain of Giannitsa. About 7 km from
Giannitsa are the ruins of ancient Pella, birthplace of Alexander the Great and capital
of ancient Macedonia. The city is 48 km from Thessaloniki. Giannitsa is
predominantly a rural area. The draining of the Lake Giannitsa left fertile soil for
agriculture, leading to population growth in the region.
6. The Clock Tower
The Clock Tower, built by the Ottoman conquerors in 1667-
1668, is a rectangular building of a height of 25 m made of
stone and brick. The building has a richly decorated exterior
but interior is slightly decorated. Regarded as the oldest
preserved tower, located on Greek territory. On the roof
there was a turret, where the clocks were. The tower also
served military purposes since from its windows could the
Turks control the entire region.
7. The Metropolis
The church of the Assumption of Mary or the Metropolis is
located in the northern area of Giannitsa and constructed
between 1858-1867.
It is certain that the Sultan allowed its construction in 1858.
According to the tradition, the residents offered work selflessly
for the construction of the church and it is even said that
because of lack of water, they used wine instead.
8. Philippio park
Philippio is the largest park in the town of Giannitsa, located on
a hill under which visitors can find an open amphitheatre of the
capacity of about 3,000 people. A lot of concerts, plays and
cultural events take place in the amphitheatre every year
during summer.
9. Philip 2nd Father of Alexander the
Great. The statue is in the Filippio
park.
10. “the Black Statue”
The "Black Statue" is the Memorial of the city created by the sculptor
Gregory Zevgoli, and placed there in 1925 in memory of the soldiers
who gave their lives for the liberation of the city from the Turks in
1912. This statue represents the winged time writing history at the
feet of which mother Greece has embraced her son, a slain soldier.
It is located at the city entrance.
11. The Mausoleum of Gazi Evrenos
Gazi Evren was a prominent Ottoman military commander who lived in
Giannitsa during the ottoman occupation. He was buried in this
mausoleum in 1417.
12. Mount Paiko
Geography
Morphologically, Paiko is a curvy extension to the NE of the
adjacent Voras mountain range. Together they surround the plain of
Aridea. East and south of Paiko are the plains of the Vardar (Axios) river
and the plains of Giannitsa respectively.
Hydrology
Skra lake and waterfalls.
Paiko is rich in surface as well as underground bodies of water, often
potable. Springs exist at the foothills and small wetlands can be found
at high altitudes, connected by several streams. Two waterfalls and a
lagoon of blue-green waters are located near the Skra peak.
13. Loudias River
In the past water from the Voras,Vermio and Paiko mountains, flowed into
Giannitsa Lake and then to the Thermaic Gulf. The Loudias now collects water that
comes mainly from Mount Paiko and the main sources is close to Aravissos village.
A section of the river has been converted into an artificial channel, thus enabling the
draining of Lake Giannitsa and its marshlands. Throughout the length of about
60km, the region is fertile. In 1912, during the First Balkan War, this area became
the site of the Battle of Giannitsa. Today, following the draining of the lake of
Giannitsa, Loudias is no longer a natural river, but basically an artificial canal, 40
km long, receiving the water from the plain of Giannitsa and from part of Imathia
plain. Besides, the river is suitable for rowing sports and the town's rowing team as
many others train there.
16. People in Giannitsa have the opportunity to join drama and art
clubs and a variety of traditional dancing associations as well.
17. Culture and sports in Giannitsa
In our town there are a lot of sport associations with distinctions
in women handball and volleyball, rowing and chess.
18. The Ancient Pella
Pella (Greek: Πέλλα), is an ancient city located in Central
Macedonia, Greece, best known as the historical capital of
the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon in the time of Alexander
the Great. On the site of the ancient city is the Archaeological
Museum of Pella.
History
Pella is first mentioned by Herodotus of Halicarnassus (VII, 123)
in relation to Xerxes' campaign and by Thucydides (II, 99,4 and
100,4) in relation to Macedonian expansion and the war against
Sitalces, the king of the Thracians. According to Xenophon, in the
beginning of the 4th century BC it was the largest Macedonian
city. It was probably built as the capital of the kingdom
by Archelaus I, replacing the older palace-city of Aigai although
there appears to be some possibility that it may have been
created by Amyntas. In antiquity, Pella was a strategic port
connected to the Thermaic Gulf by a navigable inlet, but the
harbour and gulf have since silted up, leaving the site landlocked.
19.
20. Archaeology
The site was explored by 19th-century voyagers. The first
excavation was begun by G. Oikonomos in 1914–15. The modern
systematic exploration of the site began in 1953 and work has
continued since then uncovering significant parts of the extensive
city.
In February 2006, a farmer accidentally uncovered the largest
tomb ever found in Greece. The names of the noble ancient
Macedonian family are still on inscriptions and painted sculptures
and walls have survived. The tomb dates to the 2nd or 3rd century
BC. Overall, archaeologists have uncovered 1,000 tombs since the
year 2000, but these only represent an estimated 5% of the site.
In 2009 43 graves last year containing rich and elaborate grave
goods were found and in 2010 37 tombs dating from 650 to 280
B.C were discovered containing rich ancient Macedonian artefacts
ranging from ceramics to precious metals. One of the tombs was
the final resting place of a warrior from the 6th century B.C. with
a bronze helmet with a gold mouth plate, weapons and jewellery.
Many artefacts are displayed in the Archaeological Museum of
Pella.
22. History
Alexander III of Macedon (20/21 July 356 BC – 10/11
June 323 BC), commonly known as Alexander the
Great was a king of the Ancient Greek kingdom
of Macedon and a member of the Argead dynasty. Born
in Pella in 356 BC, Alexander succeeded his father, Philip
II, to the throne at the age of twenty. He spent most of his
ruling years on an unprecedented military campaign
through Asia and northeast Africa, and by the age of thirty
he had created one of the largest empires of the ancient
world, stretching from Greece to north western India. He
was undefeated in battle and is widely considered one of
history's most successful military commanders.
23.
24. The town of Edessa
Edessa, known as “town of waters, is a town in northern
Greece and the capital of Pella regional unit (in which Giannitsa
also belongs to) in the central Macedonia region. It’s famous
for the
waterfalls and it attracts tourists who like winter sports during
the winter.
25. Loutraki baths (Pozar) are located in northern Greece, at
the foot of mount Kaimaktsalan, 100 km from Thessaloniki.
The area of the Loutraki Baths is a natural sight, located in
a green environment with plane trees and waterfalls. The
hot water is beneficial for people who suffer from
rheumatism, arthritis and skin diseases
Loutraki Baths - Aridea
26. Greek traditional food
Greek salads
Greece is known for the production of
oils and olive oil but also for the
delicious salads which are made of fresh
vegetables and accompanied with feta
cheese.
27. Tzatziki sauce
Tzatziki is made of yoghurt, garlic and olive oil. It is one
of the most famous Greek appetizers.
28. Greek Gyros
Gyros might be the most famous Greek fast food.
It contains pork or chicken meat with fried potatoes,
tomato and tzatziki sauce in a pita.
