Xanthi

Xanthi (Greek: Ξάνθη) is a city in northeastern Greece (Thrace). It is the capital of Xanthi prefecture. The city boasts a population of 56,122 inhabitants according to the 2011 census.

History

Xanthi is first mentioned historically in 879 AD as a small village. Goths, Avars, Slavs all passed through the area leaving destruction behind. Finally, the village fell under Ottoman control. The Turks brought colonists into the area but Xanthi itself remained largely Greek. Early in the 18th Century Xanthi becomes a centre for tobacco production. By the late 19th Century, its population rises to 10,000 inhabitants.

Xanthi passed from Ottoman to Bulgarian control during the First Balkan War (1912). During the Second Balkan War it was liberated by Greek troops only to be re-occupied by the Bulgarians during World War I. After the end of the great war, Xanthi became Greek once more.

University

• Polytechnic School of Democritus University of Thrace

Sporting teams

Primary and Secondary divisions A and B' Ethniki

• AO Xanthi

Famous inhabitants of Xanthi

• Democritus
• Protagoras
• Manos Hadjidakis
• Archbishop of Athens Christodoulos
• Vasilis Torosidis

Twinnings

• Gifhorn, Lower Saxony, Germany

• Novi Beograd, Serbia

• Smolyan, Bulgaria

• Biga, Turkey

External links

• Municipality of Xanthi

• Photos of the Old Town

• Photos from the Carnival Parade