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Ptolemaida Πτολεμαΐδα
Aerial view of Ptolemaida
Seal
Ptolemaida Location within the regional unit
Coordinates: 40°31′N 21°41′E / 40.517°N 21.683°E / 40.517; 21.683Coordinates: 40°31′N 21°41′E / 40.517°N 21.683°E / 40.517; 21.683
Country	Greece
Administrative region	West Macedonia
Regional unit	Kozani
Municipality	Eordaia
• Municipal unit	217.901 km2 (84.132 sq mi)
Elevation	600 m (2,000 ft)
Population (2011)[1]
• Municipal unit	37,289
• Municipal unit density	170/km2 (440/sq mi)
Community[1]
• Population	32,142 (2011)
• Area (km2)	57.508
Time zone	UTC+2 (EET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+3 (EEST)
Postal code	502 00
Area code(s)	24630
Vehicle registration	KZ
Website	www.ptolemaida.gr

Ptolemaida (Greek: Πτολεμαΐδα, translit. Ptolemaïda, Katharevousa: Πτολεμαΐς, Ptolemaïs, before 1927: Καϊλάρια - Kailaria^[2]) is a town and a former municipality in Kozani regional unit, West Macedonia, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Eordaia, of which it is the seat and a municipal unit.^[3] It is known for its coal (lignite) mines and its power stations.

Name

During the Ottoman period, the city was named Kayılar, rendered into English as Kaïlar;^[4] this name was retained in Greek as Kailaria (Καϊλάρια) until 1927.^[2] Kailar refers to the Kayı tribe, the tribe of Osman I, the founder of the Ottoman Empire. The modern name Ptolemaida was introduced by decree on January 20, 1927, honoring Ptolemy son of Lagus, a comrade-in-arms of Alexander the Great and founder of the Ptolemaic dynasty, and his daughter Ptolemaïs, who are said to originate from that region.^[5] His statue stands in the central square of the city.

History

According to archaeologists, the Ptolemaida region has been occupied since 6000 BC.^[6]

Neolithic times

Prehistoric jewelry found in Ptolemaida

Archaeologists, in November 2005, discovered the remains of two farming villages dating back to the Neolithic period. A press report notes that such farming villages were trading centres and had a "developed knowledge of metalworking".^[6]

A golden necklace dating to roughly 4500 BC was discovered on February 16, 2006.^[6]Associated Press reporter Costas Kantouris describes the item as a "flat, roughly ring-shaped [which] probably had religious significance and would have been worn on a necklace by a prominent member of society."^[6]

Lately in the lake Zazari near Ptolemaida there were found 16 houses that belong in the Neolithic era due to archaaeologists.
These houses were in the lake and were exposed because of the decreased water level of the lake.
That particular small settlement gives information about the society and the people in the Neolithic era.

Ancient period

Ancient ceramic plate from Ptolemaida

Ancient Macedonian grave in Ptolemaida

In the area of Ptolemaida many archeological findings have occurred in the last 30 years due to mining operations.
Ceramic artifacts, dating to the 6th century BC have been found at two sites near Grevena and Ptolemaida.
Archaeologists found the artifacts at two prehistoric farming settlements.
Two Ancient Macedonian graves have also been found in the area of Ptolemaida, dated from the 5th century BC.

Byzantine Period

At various times, Ptolemaida was part of the Latin Empire, the Kingdom of Thessalonica, the Empire of Nicaea, and the Despotate of Epirus.^{[citation needed]}

Ottoman period

During the Ottoman period, Ptolemaida was called Kayılar, and it had two parts: Aşağı Kayılar and Yukarı Kayılar. Aşağı Kayılar was Bektaşi^{[citation needed]} and Yukarı Kayılar was Rufai,^{[citation needed]} Hanefi.^{[citation needed]}

Before 1360, large numbers of nomad shepherds, or Yörüks, from the district of Konya, in Asia Minor, had settled in Macedonia; their descendants were known as Konariotes.^[4] Further immigration from this region took place from time to time up to the middle of the 18th century. After the establishment of the feudal system in 1397, many of the Seljuk noble families came over from Asia Minor; their descendants may be recognized among the Beys or Muslim landowners around Kayılar.^[4] At the beginning of the 18th century, the Turkish population was quite considerable, but since that time until at least the early 20th century it continuously decreased.^[4] A low birth rate, the exhaustion of the male population by military service, and a large mortality from epidemics brought about a decline which has lately been hastened by emigration.^[4] The Turkish rural population around Kayılar was mainly composed of Konariot shepherds.^[4] In the late 19th and early 20th century, Ptolemaida was part of the Manastir Vilayet of the Ottoman Empire.

Modern period

Modern era aqueduct

Ptolemaida was taken by the Greek forces on October 15, 1912 during the First Balkan War.

Culture

The municipal library

Ptolemaida's football club is called "Eordaikos" (Greek: Εορδαϊκός). Other teams include AE Ptolemaidas. Ptolemaida has schools, lyceums, gymnasia, churches, banks, a post office, a train station (Kozani - Florina), a police station, a water tower, and squares (plateies). There is the potential of a university being established by the state in the near future. The Anthropological and Folklore Museum is based in the town.

Economy

Electric power plant of Ptolemaida

Lignite mine of Ptolemaida

Ptolemaida is a highly industrialized area. The four power plants in this area produce 70% of Greece's electrical power, using the large local deposits of lignite as fuel. The plants are owned by the Public Power Corporation (DEI), the major employer in the city. The plant was dedicated by the prime minister of Greece at that time, Constantine Karamanlis. The other two are in Amyntaio in Florina regional unit and in Agios Dimitrios.

Climate

Askio mountain near the city

The city, situated in the middle of the Eordaia plain of Western Macedonia, has a humid continental climate. Summers can be hot with thunderstorms in unsettled spells, whereas winters are among the coldest in Greece. It was here that the absolute low temperature record of Greece was recorded (−29.6 °C (−21 °F) on 27 January 1963). It was also the lowest in Europe for 1963.

Demographics

The current municipal unit of Ptolemaida is constituted by the city of Ptolemaida and 11 small communities. At the 2011 census, the population of the city was 32,142 residents. The total population of the municipality Eordaia in 2011 was 45,592 residents.

Geography

The city lies in the valley of Eordaia, between the Askio mountains to the southwest and the Vermio mountains to the northeast. It is located north of Kozani, east of Kastoria, south of Florina, and south-west of Edessa. The municipal unit has an area of 217.901 km², the community (the city proper) has an area of 57.508 km².^[7]Motorway 27 (Kozani-Florina, part of E65) passes east of the city. Ptolemaida was the seat of the former province of Eordaia.

Friendship towns

Ptolemaida is twinned with:^[8]

• 
  Enkomi, Cyprus
  

People

• 
  Pantelis Kapetanos, football player


• 
  Ieroklis Michailidis, actor

See also

• Battle of Ptolemaida


• List of settlements in the Kozani regional unit

References

External links

• Ptolemaida news


• Weather station of the National Observatory of Athens in Ptolemaida