Agios Athanasios, Pella Explained

Agios Athanasios
Name Local:	Άγιος Αθανάσιος
Type:	community
Periph:	Central Macedonia
Periphunit:	Pella
Municipality:	Edessa
Population:	490
Population As Of:	2021
Coordinates:	40.8333°N 68°W

Agios Athanasios (Greek, Modern (1453-);: Άγιος Αθανάσιος, before 1926: Greek, Modern (1453-);: Τσεγάνη village in the Pella regional unit of Macedonia, Greece. The village is located north of Lake Vegoritida within the Vegoritida municipal unit which belongs to the municipality of Edessa.

History and Population

Ayios Athanasios is a village located in the Pella regional unit of Central Macedonia, Greece. It is situated in a region known for its historical significance and rich cultural heritage, particularly related to the ancient kingdom of Macedonia.

1. Location: Ayios Athanasios is located near the town of Edessa, a major urban center in the Pella region. The area is known for its natural beauty, including mountains and lakes.
2. Population: The village has a small population, primarily composed of ethnic Greeks. The community is largely involved in agriculture, with the surrounding region being fertile and suitable for various crops.
3. Cultural Heritage: The village, like much of the Pella region, is deeply connected to the history of ancient Macedonia, the birthplace of Alexander the Great. While Ayios Athanasios itself does not have major ancient ruins, the region is steeped in history, with nearby archaeological sites such as the ancient city of Pella, the capital of the Macedonian kingdom.
4. Modern Identity: Today, the village is a quiet, rural community. It reflects the broader trends in the region, where modern Greek culture and identity dominate, though there are traces of historical influences from various periods, including Byzantine and Ottoman.
5. Language and Ethnicity: The residents of Ayios Athanasios primarily speak Greek. While the broader region of Central Macedonia has a history of diverse linguistic and ethnic influences, including Slavic, Vlach, and Turkish, the population in Ayios Athanasios identifies strongly as Greek.

Historical Context: The region of Pella is historically significant as the heartland of the ancient Macedonian kingdom, with the city of Pella serving as the capital during the reign of Alexander the Great.

Byzantine Influence: During the Byzantine period, the area, like much of Macedonia, was under the control of the Byzantine Empire. The influence of Byzantine culture, religion, and architecture would have been prevalent, as evidenced by the many Byzantine churches and monasteries found in the wider region.

Ottoman Rule: From the late 14th century until the early 20th century, the region, including Ayios Athanasios, was part of the Ottoman Empire. This period was marked by the coexistence of different ethnic and religious groups, including Greeks, Turks, and Slavs.

Cultural Influences: During Ottoman rule, the region experienced significant cultural and demographic changes, with the introduction of Ottoman administrative practices, and the influence of Islamic culture, though the majority population remained Greek Orthodox.

Greek War of Independence: The 19th century saw the Greek War of Independence (1821–1829), leading to the gradual liberation of Greek territories. However, Ayios Athanasios and the wider region of Macedonia remained under Ottoman control until the Balkan Wars in the early 20th century.

Balkan Wars: The First Balkan War (1912–1913) was pivotal in liberating Macedonia from Ottoman rule. After the wars, Macedonia, including Pella and Ayios Athanasios, was incorporated into the modern Greek state.

In August 1916 Bulgarian and Serbian forces fought near the village during the Chegan Offensive.

20th Century Developments: Throughout the 20th century, the village, like much of rural Greece, experienced significant changes, including population movements, economic shifts, and the impact of both World Wars and the Greek Civil War

The village was abandoned by the 1980s and the inhabitants built a new village further down the slopes at Neos Agios Athanasios, however, after 2000, with the popularity of nearby Voras Ski resort on Mt Kaimaktsalan, the old buildings of Agios Athanasios have beem refurbished and the village has become popular with tourists and skiers

Current Status:

• Tourism and Heritage: In recent years, Ayios Athanasios and the surrounding region have seen an increase in interest from tourists, particularly those interested in exploring the historical sites of ancient Macedonia, such as the nearby archaeological site of Pella.
• Ayios Athanasios represents a typical rural village in northern Greece, where ancient history intersects with modern Greek identity.