The origin and historical evolution of Kalamaria’s name remains a mystery, but it looks pretty likely that the toponym first appeared in the Byzantine period. Professor G. Theocharidis (Αντιλεγόμενο τοπωνύμιο-Διάφορες απόψεις για την Καλαμαριά) claims that “Kalamaria” is a compound composed of the Byzantine words skala (quay of the naval base in the area of […]
A unique testimony to the ancient history of the Kalamaria region is located on a low hill within the former Kodras Barracks site, which extends to the peninsula that ends at Cape Mikro Emvolo (or Karabournaki or Mikro Karabournou). Archaeologists discovered a settlement at this location and identified it with the central settlement of ancient […]
Kellarios bay extends from the Allatini Mills to Palataki (Government House). Here was the famous “Kellarion”, the Byzantine port associated with some of the most critical moments in the history of Thessaloniki. The medieval port impressed visitors with its technical excellence, which is evident in the artificial submarine dam that survives intact to this day. […]
Thessaloniki fell to the Ottomans in March 1430. According to oral tradition, which survives today, the Ottomans entered the city through the Kalamaria Gate on the east side of the wall (at the end of today’s Egnatia Road). The entry of the Turks was not immediately noticed by a group of Byzantine soldiers who were […]
Ottoman period The history of the area currently occupied by the Kodras barracks is closely intertwined with military life. During the Ottoman period, the most extensive barracks on the Balkan Peninsula were established here to serve as the base of the Ottoman cavalry. However, after the liberation of Thessaloniki by the Greek army at the […]
(1918-1920) Apart from the military camps, which covered a large area, the area of present-day Kalamaria remained virtually uninhabited until the end of the First World War. However, the situation began to change dramatically in 1918 with the arrival of Greek refugees from southern Russia. Kars (the Turkish word “kar” means snow) is an area […]
The Second World War disrupted the organisation and development of Kalamaria. Moreover, the settlement was very close to the airport of Mikra and suffered from frequent airstrikes. Nevertheless, on January 1, 1943, the Municipality of Kalamaria was created with the merchant Dimitrios Pavlidis as mayor. The Ministry of Interior had appointed Pavlidis because it was […]
Water supply For many decades after the refugees’ arrival, the Greek state lacked the financial ability to provide the community with integrated infrastructure networks (water supply, sewerage, electricity, and paved roads). Finally, in the 1950s, the authorities embarked on the first real projects to improve the refugees’ daily lives. The only exception was the water […]
A few kilometers from the city of Thessaloniki, the refugee settlements of Kalamaria since 1940 have now been economically and socially integrated into the city’s fabric. The new houses that replaced the refugee shacks and the strengthened sense of collectiveness of the residents maintained the communication of the Kalamariots both among themselves and with the […]