Cities of Greece

History

The Historic City of Naousa

Naousa: Historic, Heroic, with Natural Beauty

-Naousa, a city in Central Macedonia, has a long history dating back to antiquity. The area was inhabited by the Bottiaeans and later became part of the Macedonian kingdom. During the Roman and Byzantine periods, it maintained its importance due to its natural resources and its strategic location on the foothills of Mount Vermio. In the Ottoman period, it experienced economic and intellectual flourishing, with significant textile manufacturing and trade. -The city earned the nickname "Heroic" after the Revolution of 1822, when the inhabitants of Naousa rose up against Ottoman rule. The uprising was violently suppressed by Abū Lubūt Pasha, resulting in thousands of victims and the legend of the women who chose to fall into the waters of the Arapitsa River rather than be captured. This event is a pivotal point in the collective memory and history of the city. -Naousa has a long and turbulent history. Its most glorious, yet tragic, chapter is the Holocaust of 1822. During the Greek War of Independence, the city revolted against the Ottomans, but the rebellion was brutally suppressed by the forces of Mehmed Emin Pasha. The heroic resistance and self-sacrifice of its inhabitants, culminating in the sacrifice of the women of Naousa in the Arapitsa River to avoid capture, earned it the title of the "Heroic City." -Alexander the Great, if nothing else, has gone down in history as an exceptional military commander, who reached as far as modern-day India, defeating every enemy in his path. Apart from his military prowess, he is remembered for his education, which he did not acquire by chance. For this reason, the King of Macedon and Alexander's father, Philip II, ensured it by bringing the great philosopher and teacher, Aristotle, to the royal court. The place where he taught the young Alexander is an area of unique natural beauty, at the location of Isvoria in the area of ancient Mieza. Today, in the area between Kopanos and Lefkadia, a heritage museum has been established, dedicated to all the knowledge acquired by Aristotle's students.

Traditions

Naousa: Traditions from the Ottoman Era to the Present

Yennitsaroi and Boules: A Unique Custom

Γενίτσαροι και Μπούλες: Το έθιμο της Νάουσας

-The traditional carnival of Naousa, "Yennitsaroi and Boules," is a point of reference for the Carnival period in Central—and not only—Macedonia. It is a custom of very ancient times, with traces from the very old years. And by "very old," we mean even older than the Ottoman Era; as noted by important researchers of the city (Valsamidis, Ziotas, etc.), this spectacle is mistakenly attributed as being imported from the Turkish Occupation, since references from even older researchers assign the custom the name "Boules" and emphasize that its content was fully in line with the dictates of pre-Ottoman Greece. -The famous "Prosopos" (Mask), which is worn with great joy by teenage and adult Yennitsaroi, carries a long history behind it. Out of respect for the customs of the people of Naousa, the Turks—whose policy was to show (sometimes) respect for the local traditions of the conquered—granted certain privileges, among which was the "Prosopos." Made of plaster and cloth, it has some small holes at the level of the eyes, nose, and mouth, for sight and breathing. It is worn facing upwards (as is the entire costume of the Yennitsaros), symbolizing their free spirit. Each one is particularly unique, in its headscarf, in its stitching, where the passion and love of the participants for what they are doing is imprinted. -As Carnival approaches, Naousa comes alive to the rhythm of the "Yennitsaroi and Boules." The masks come out and the traditional costumes emerge from the trunks, bringing to light a centuries-old custom. With the sound of the zournas (shawm) echoing in the narrow streets, the "Boules" and the "bouloukia" (groups) of the "Yennitsaroi" dance a dance that transcends time, filling the atmosphere with mystery and tradition.

Local products

Traditional Products that Cross the Borders of Greece

From the Fertile Land Directly to Your Plate

-Naousa, a city at a crossroads on the wine production route, offers wine lovers a unique tasting experience. Thanks to the great producers, who pass on all their knowledge about the harvest and the overall process to the younger generations of their families, this famous product reaches the ends of the earth and promotes the distinctive "neighborhood" in the heart of Macedonia like nothing else. -Beyond its history and culture, Naousa is famous for its wines, as it is a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) for the "Xinomavro" variety. Visitors can combine wine tourism with hiking routes on Mount Vermio, enjoying local products and natural landscapes. -Naousa is not just landscape and history, but also taste. In its vineyards, the legendary Xinomavro is born, a wine that encapsulates the spirit and quality of the region. Besides wine, the peach and cherry trees offer their fruits for the production of wonderful spoon sweets and jams, while local grocery stores hide small gastronomic treasures waiting to be discovered. -The relationship between Naousa and the peach is inseparable. More than just a fruit, it is a symbol of the local economy and tradition, with its products bringing the taste of the Macedonian land to every corner of Greece and the world. After all, together with the wider area of Imathia, it constitutes the largest peach production center in Greece. -Manchester was not only the name of the famous British region, the older generations will tell you. On the southern side of the Balkans, there was an area that was one of the main industrial hubs of Greece in the last century. What woven fabrics, what knits, what silks you would see in this part of the country! Unique was Naousa with its factories, its industrialists (the Lanaraioi family, for example), its workers... Ah, that era.

Tourism

Naousa: Excursions In and Out of the City

Places Rich in Natural Beauty and History

-Among the tributaries of the Aliakmonas River is the Arapitsa, whose waters run through the Heroic City of Naousa. The Arapitsa (or Arapitza for some locals) is not just a simple natural landscape with its waters and waterfalls; it is inextricably linked to the local and industrial history of the place. The Stoubani Bridge, from which the incomparable beauty of the Arapitsa can be seen, hosts one of the city's imposing statue-monuments, which symbolizes the sacrifice of its women who, along with their children, chose to sacrifice themselves rather than be enslaved during the Holocaust of the city by the Turks in 1822. Later, in the 20th century, Naousa became known for its textile industry, and clearly, the role of the river was particularly important. All the major industrial units of that era - as they are no longer operational (YFEN-ESTIA, PELLA-OLYMPOS, VARVARESSOS, VETLANZ, BILI TSITSI) - shared the characteristic of being located next to the Arapitsa; and this was no coincidence, as its waters provided them with electricity through watermills. -The city offers a variety of options: the St. Nikolaos Grove with its running waters and plane trees, the "3-5 Pigadia" Ski Centre, the archaeological finds at the School of Aristotle where the philosopher taught Alexander the Great, as well as the famous waterfalls of the Arapitsa. -Built on the slopes of Mount Vermio, at an altitude of 1,430–2,005 meters, the "3-5 Pigadia" Ski Centre is one of the most beloved destinations for skiing and snowboarding in Northern Greece. It features modern slopes, artificial snowmaking, and offers opportunities for alternative activities, such as hiking and mountain biking. -In Mieza, near Naousa, the famous School of Aristotle operated, where Alexander the Great was taught. The site includes impressive Macedonian tombs with rich frescoes that reveal the artistic peak of the era, as well as ancient monuments from the Hellenistic and Roman periods. Today, visitors have the opportunity to combine a tour of a unique historical landscape with the beauty of the Macedonian nature. -The St. Nikolaos Grove: A lush green oasis with centuries-old plane trees, ponds, and springs. Ideal for hiking, picnics, and relaxation in nature. -From the tranquil St. Nikolaos Grove to the snowy landscapes of Mount Vermio, Naousa invites the traveler to discover its inexhaustible natural beauty. Here, history meets nature, and the ancient teachings of Aristotle coexist harmoniously with the modern tastes of Xinomavro wine. A destination for all tastes, combining adventure with tranquility and culture with relaxation.

NOMOS IMATHIAS

NAOYSA