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Coordinates: 35°11′N 25°43′E / 35.183°N 25.717°E / 35.183; 25.717
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|name = Agios Nikolaos
|name = Agios Nikolaos
|name_local = Άγιος Νικόλαος
|name_local = Άγιος Νικόλαος
|type = municipal unit
|image_map = 2011 Dimos Mirabelou.png
|image_map = 2011 Dimos Mirabelou.png
|image_skyline = Hafenfassade Agios Nikolaos.jpg
|image_skyline = File:Lake Voulismeni.jpg
|caption_skyline = Agios Nikolaos' promenade
|caption_skyline = Lake Voulismeni, Agios Nikolaos
|imagesize = 280px
|imagesize = 280px
|periph = [[Crete]]
|periph = [[Crete]]
|periphunit = [[Lasithi]]
|periphunit = [[Lasithi]]
|municipality = [[Agios Nikolaos (municipality)|Agios Nikolaos]]
|pop_municipality = 27074
⚫
|pop_municunit = 21562
|area_municipality = 511.7
⚫
|pop_municunit = 20679
|area_municunit = 317.8
|area_municunit = 317.8
|pop_community = 12638
|pop_community = 13605
|population_as_of = 2011
|population_as_of = 2021
|coordinates = {{coord|35|11|N|25|43|E|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
|coordinates = {{coord|35|11|N|25|43|E|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code = 721 00
|postal_code = 721 00
|area_code = 28410
|area_code = 28410
|licence = ΑΝ
|licence = ΑΝ
|mayor = Antonis Zervos
|website = [http://www.dimosagn.gr www.dimosagn.gr]
|website = [http://www.dimosagn.gr www.dimosagn.gr]
|city_flag =
|city_seal = Agios Nikolaos Siegel.png
|districts =
|party =
|since =
|elevation = 21
|elevation = 21
}}
}}
'''Agios Nikolaos''', Hagios Nikolaos or '''Aghios Nikolaos''' ({{lang-el|Άγιος Νικόλαος}} {{IPA-el|ˈaʝoz niˈkolaos|}}) is a [[coastal]] town on the [[Greece|Greek]] island of [[Crete]], lying east of the island's capital [[Heraklion]], north of the town of [[Ierapetra]] and west of the town of [[Sitia]].
'''Agios Nikolaos''', Hagios Nikolaos or '''Aghios Nikolaos''' ({{lang-el|Άγιος Νικόλαος}} {{IPA-el|ˈaʝoz niˈkolaos|}}) is a [[coastal]] city on the [[Greece|Greek]] island of [[Crete]], lying east of the island's capital [[Heraklion]], north of the city of [[Ierapetra]] and west of the city of [[Sitia]].


In the year 2011, the Municipality of Agios Nikolaos, which takes in part of the surrounding villages, claimed 27,074 inhabitants. The town is a municipality of the Crete region and sits partially upon the ruins of the ancient city of [[Lato pros Kamara]].
In the year 2021, the [[Agios Nikolaos (municipality)|Municipality of Agios Nikolaos]], which takes in part of the surrounding villages, had 27,785 inhabitants.<ref name="census21" /> The town sits partially upon the ruins of the ancient city of [[Lato pros Kamara]].


==History==
==History==
Line 37: Line 31:


===Archaeology===
===Archaeology===
Lato pros Kamara, the ancient Hagios Nikolaos, has left some limited ruins but an extensive cemetery of Roman times. Near the town is an archaeological site of ancient [[Priniatikos Pyrgos]]. It appears to have been first settled in the Final Neolithic era, circa 3000 BC. Activity on the site continued throughout the Minoan [[Bronze Age]] and the Classical Greek and Roman periods, spanning a total of up to 4,000 years. Since 2007, Priniatikos Pyrgos has been undergoing excavation by an international team under the auspices of the [[Irish Institute of Hellenic Studies at Athens]].
Lato pros Kamara, the ancient Agios Nikolaos, has left some limited ruins but an extensive cemetery of Roman times. Near the town is an archaeological site of ancient [[Priniatikos Pyrgos]]. It appears to have been first settled in the Final Neolithic era, circa 3000 BC. Activity on the site continued throughout the Minoan [[Bronze Age]] and the Classical Greek and Roman periods, spanning a total of up to 4,000 years. Since 2007, Priniatikos Pyrgos has been undergoing excavation by an international team under the auspices of the [[Irish Institute of Hellenic Studies at Athens]].

⚫
==Geography==
===Municipality===
The municipality of Agios Nikolaos was formed at the 2011 local government reform by the merger of the following 3 former municipalities, which became municipal units:<ref name=Kallikratis>{{Cite web|url=http://www.et.gr/idocs-nph/search/pdfViewerForm.html?args=5C7QrtC22wGYK2xFpSwMnXdtvSoClrL8-SrPzKAEPjjtIl9LGdkF53UIxsx942CdyqxSQYNuqAGCF0IfB9HI6hq6ZkZV96FIukI0UzcPsWCK0LpLhpa7rhiWB4R5ntTnoWw7U8E1Amg.|title=ΦΕΚ A 87/2010, Kallikratis reform law text|language=el|publisher=[[Government Gazette (Greece)|Government Gazette]]}}</ref>
*Agios Nikolaos
*[[Neapoli, Crete|Neapoli]]
*[[Vrachasi]]

The municipality has an area of {{convert|511.694|km2|abbr=on}}, the municipal unit {{convert|317.834|km2|abbr=on}}.<ref name=stat01>{{cite web|url=http://dlib.statistics.gr/Book/GRESYE_02_0101_00098%20.pdf |publisher=National Statistical Service of Greece |title=Population & housing census 2001 (incl. area and average elevation) |language=el |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150921212047/http://dlib.statistics.gr/Book/GRESYE_02_0101_00098%20.pdf |archive-date=2015-09-21 }}</ref>

==Infrastructure==
⚫
===Transportation===
⚫
Agios Nikolaos is accessible from the mainland and the whole of Europe through [[Heraklion International Airport]], and the many daily ferry services in [[Heraklion]] {{convert|64|km|mi|sigfig=2}}. You can also travel through [[Sitia airport]] boarding onto a domestic or charter flight or through its harbour {{convert|67|km|mi|sigfig=2}}. Recently, the town became host to a department of the Hellenic Mediterranean university, offering tourism-related courses.


==Culture==
==Culture==
===Modern Agios Nikolaos===
===Modern Agios Nikolaos===
{{unsourced|section|date=December 2022}}
Agios Nikolaos is probably best known as a tourist town that serves as a hub to the twenty or so small villages and farms that make up that part of Lassithi. Tourist attractions include the small lagoon [[Lake Voulismeni]], small beaches in the town, the tiny [[List of islands of Greece|island]] of Agioi Pantes, the archaeological museum, the local flora exhibition “Iris” and numerous fairs.
Agios Nikolaos is probably best known as a tourist town that serves as a hub to the twenty or so small villages and farms that make up that part of Lassithi. Tourist attractions include the small lagoon [[Lake Voulismeni]], small beaches in the town, the tiny [[List of islands of Greece|island]] of Agioi Pantes, the archaeological museum, the local flora exhibition “Iris” and numerous fairs.

Just a short ferry ride away from Agios Nikolaos is the island of [[Spinalonga]], an old Venetian fortress turned leper colony in the beginning of the 20th century.{{Citation needed|date=December 2018}}


[[Tourism in Greece|Tourism]] is mainly [[West European]] with [[Greece|Greek]] tourism concentrated in mid August, though there are a considerable amount of [[Russians|Russian]] vacationers in East Crete. The lagoon features a small park with a trail, traditional fishing boats, ducks, pigeons, an amphitheatre and many cafès. The modern city of Agios Nikolaos became internationally well known during the 60's, when it was "discovered" by famous cinema directors ([[Jules Dassin]], [[Walt Disney]] etc.), BBC producers and many others. It was then that the rapid tourist development of the area started. Among the various productions filmed were [[He Who Must Die]], [[The Moon-Spinners]], and the TV series [[The Lotus Eaters (TV series)|The Lotus Eaters]].
[[Tourism in Greece|Tourism]] is mainly [[West European]] with [[Greece|Greek]] tourism concentrated in mid August, though there are a considerable amount of [[Russians|Russian]] vacationers in East Crete. The lagoon features a small park with a trail, traditional fishing boats, ducks, pigeons, an amphitheatre and many cafès. The modern city of Agios Nikolaos became internationally well known during the 60's, when it was "discovered" by famous cinema directors ([[Jules Dassin]], [[Walt Disney]] etc.), BBC producers and many others. It was then that the rapid tourist development of the area started. Among the various productions filmed were [[He Who Must Die]], [[The Moon-Spinners]], and the TV series [[The Lotus Eaters (TV series)|The Lotus Eaters]].
Line 63: Line 41:
[[Daphne du Maurier]]'s short story [[Not After Midnight]] was set in and around the town.
[[Daphne du Maurier]]'s short story [[Not After Midnight]] was set in and around the town.


[[File:Voulismeni-See blaue Stunde.jpg|600px|center|thumb|Panorama of the port]]
⚫
==Climate==


⚫
==Geography==
⚫
Agios Nikolaos has a mild climate throughout the year with very mild winters and warm summers.
⚫
[[File:Agios Nikolaos R02.jpg|300px|thumb|Old Port of Agios Nikolaos]]
⚫
===Climate===
⚫
Agios Nikolaos has a hot-summer [[Mediterranean climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]]: ''Csa'') with very mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers.


{{Weather box
{{Weather box
|location= Agios Nikolaos (2010–2019)
| location = Agios Nikolaos (2010–2019)
|metric first=yes
| metric first = yes
|single line=yes
| single line = yes
|collapsed=y
⚫
|Jan high C=15.7
|Feb high C=16.6
| Jan high C = 15.7
|Mar high C=18.2
| Feb high C = 16.6
|Apr high C=21.1
| Mar high C = 18.2
|May high C=24.8
| Apr high C = 21.1
|Jun high C=29.0
| May high C = 24.8
|Jul high C=31.4
| Jun high C = 29.0
|Aug high C=31.6
| Jul high C = 31.4
|Sep high C=28.9
| Aug high C = 31.6
|Oct high C=24.7
| Sep high C = 28.9
|Nov high C=21.2
| Oct high C = 24.7
|Dec high C=17.2
| Nov high C = 21.2
⚫
| Dec high C = 17.2

|Jan low C=10.2
| Jan mean C = 13.0
|Feb low C=11.0
| Feb mean C = 13.8
|Mar low C=12.0
| Mar mean C = 15.1
|Apr low C=14.4
| Apr mean C = 17.8
|May low C=18.1
| May mean C = 21.5
|Jun low C=22.3
| Jun mean C = 25.7
|Jul low C=25.1
| Jul mean C = 28.3
|Aug low C=25.5
| Aug mean C = 28.6
|Sep low C=22.6
| Sep mean C = 25.8
|Oct low C=18.8
| Oct mean C = 21.8
|Nov low C=15.6
| Nov mean C = 18.4
|Dec low C=11.8
| Dec mean C = 14.5
| Jan low C = 10.2

|rain colour = green
| Feb low C = 11.0
|Jan rain mm=112.0
| Mar low C = 12.0
|Feb rain mm=78.0
| Apr low C = 14.4
|Mar rain mm=44.0
| May low C = 18.1
|Apr rain mm=23.0
| Jun low C = 22.3
|May rain mm=12.0
| Jul low C = 25.1
|Jun rain mm= 7.0
| Aug low C = 25.5
|Jul rain mm= 2.0
| Sep low C = 22.6
|Aug rain mm= 2.0
| Oct low C = 18.8
|Sep rain mm=10.0
| Nov low C = 15.6
|Oct rain mm=31.0
| Dec low C = 11.8
|Nov rain mm=32.0
| rain colour = green
|Dec rain mm=94.0
| Jan rain mm = 112.0
| Feb rain mm = 78.0
⚫
|source 1=[[National Observatory of Athens]]<ref name="[[Εθνικό Αστεροσκοπείο Αθηνών]] - Κλίμα">{{cite web
| Mar rain mm = 44.0
| Apr rain mm = 23.0
| May rain mm = 12.0
| Jun rain mm = 7.0
| Jul rain mm = 2.0
| Aug rain mm = 2.0
| Sep rain mm = 10.0
| Oct rain mm = 31.0
| Nov rain mm = 32.0
| Dec rain mm = 94.0
⚫
| source 1 = [[National Observatory of Athens]]<ref name="[[Εθνικό Αστεροσκοπείο Αθηνών]] - Κλίμα">{{cite web
|url = https://www.meteo.gr/climate/
|url = https://www.meteo.gr/climate/
|title= Climate
|title= Climate
Line 116: Line 108:
|language = el
|language = el
|access-date = 10 Apr 2022}}</ref>
|access-date = 10 Apr 2022}}</ref>
| source =

}}
}}

⚫
===Transportation===
⚫
Agios Nikolaos is accessible from the mainland and the whole of Europe through [[Heraklion International Airport]], and the many daily ferry services in [[Heraklion]] {{convert|64|km|mi|sigfig=2}}. You can also travel through [[Sitia airport]] boarding onto a domestic or charter flight or through its harbour {{convert|67|km|mi|sigfig=2}}. Recently, the town became host to a department of the Hellenic Mediterranean university, offering tourism-related courses.


==Notable residents==
==Notable residents==
Line 124: Line 119:
*[[Maria Damanaki]] (*1952) politician
*[[Maria Damanaki]] (*1952) politician
*[[Nikos Koundouros]] (1926–2017), director
*[[Nikos Koundouros]] (1926–2017), director

==Gallery==
<gallery class="center">
File:Agios Nikolaos in Agios Nikolaos 6073264.JPG|Agios Nikolaos church (7-9th century)
File:Lake Voulismeni, Agios Nikolaos, Crete.JPG|[[Lake Voulismeni]]
⚫
File:Agios Nikolaos R02.jpg|The promenade
File:Agios Nikolaos 6073162.JPG|View of the port
</gallery>


==See also==
==See also==
*[[Cretan cuisine]]
*[[Cretan cuisine]]
*[[Agios Nikolaos, Zakynthos]]
*[[Agios Nikolaos (disambiguation)]]
*[[Agios Nikolaos, Messenia]]
*[[Agios Nikolaos, Chalkidiki]]


==References==
==References==
Line 155: Line 140:


[[Category:Populated places in Lasithi]]
[[Category:Populated places in Lasithi]]
[[Category:Mediterranean port cities and towns in Greece]]
[[Category:Agios Nikolaos, Crete| ]]
[[Category:Greek prefectural capitals]]
[[Category:Greek prefectural capitals]]
[[Category:Municipalities of Crete]]
[[Category:Mediterranean port cities and towns in Greece]]

Latest revision as of 12:37, 8 May 2024

Agios Nikolaos
Άγιος Νικόλαος
Municipal unit
Lake Voulismeni, Agios Nikolaos
Lake Voulismeni, Agios Nikolaos
Agios Nikolaos is located in Greece
Agios Nikolaos
Agios Nikolaos
Location within the region
Coordinates: 35°11′N 25°43′E / 35.183°N 25.717°E / 35.183; 25.717
CountryGreece
Administrative regionCrete
Regional unitLasithi
MunicipalityAgios Nikolaos
Area
 • Municipal unit317.8 km2 (122.7 sq mi)
Elevation
21 m (69 ft)
Population
 (2021)[1]
 • Municipal unit
21,562
 • Municipal unit density68/km2 (180/sq mi)
 • Community
13,605
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)
Postal code
721 00
Area code(s)28410
Vehicle registrationΑΝ
Websitewww.dimosagn.gr

Agios Nikolaos, Hagios Nikolaos or Aghios Nikolaos (Greek: Άγιος Νικόλαος [ˈaʝoz niˈkolaos]) is a coastal city on the Greek island of Crete, lying east of the island's capital Heraklion, north of the city of Ierapetra and west of the city of Sitia.

In the year 2021, the Municipality of Agios Nikolaos, which takes in part of the surrounding villages, had 27,785 inhabitants.[1] The town sits partially upon the ruins of the ancient city of Lato pros Kamara.

History

[edit]

Agios Nikolaos was settled in the late Bronze Age by Dorian occupants of Lato, at a time when the security of the Lato hillfort became a lesser concern and easy access to the harbour at Agios Nikolaos became more important.[2]

The name Agios Nikolaos means Saint Nicholas. Its stress lies on the second syllable of the word "Nikolaos". Agios Nikolaos or Ayios Nikolaos (alternative romanizations of the Greek Άγιος Νικόλαος) is a common placename in Greece and Cyprus, since Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of sailors and of all of Greece.

Archaeology

[edit]

Lato pros Kamara, the ancient Agios Nikolaos, has left some limited ruins but an extensive cemetery of Roman times. Near the town is an archaeological site of ancient Priniatikos Pyrgos. It appears to have been first settled in the Final Neolithic era, circa 3000 BC. Activity on the site continued throughout the Minoan Bronze Age and the Classical Greek and Roman periods, spanning a total of up to 4,000 years. Since 2007, Priniatikos Pyrgos has been undergoing excavation by an international team under the auspices of the Irish Institute of Hellenic Studies at Athens.

Culture

[edit]

Modern Agios Nikolaos

[edit]

Agios Nikolaos is probably best known as a tourist town that serves as a hub to the twenty or so small villages and farms that make up that part of Lassithi. Tourist attractions include the small lagoon Lake Voulismeni, small beaches in the town, the tiny island of Agioi Pantes, the archaeological museum, the local flora exhibition “Iris” and numerous fairs.

Tourism is mainly West European with Greek tourism concentrated in mid August, though there are a considerable amount of Russian vacationers in East Crete. The lagoon features a small park with a trail, traditional fishing boats, ducks, pigeons, an amphitheatre and many cafès. The modern city of Agios Nikolaos became internationally well known during the 60's, when it was "discovered" by famous cinema directors (Jules Dassin, Walt Disney etc.), BBC producers and many others. It was then that the rapid tourist development of the area started. Among the various productions filmed were He Who Must Die, The Moon-Spinners, and the TV series The Lotus Eaters.

Daphne du Maurier's short story Not After Midnight was set in and around the town.

Panorama of the port

Geography

[edit]
Old Port of Agios Nikolaos

Climate

[edit]

Agios Nikolaos has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate (Köppen climate classification: Csa) with very mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers.

Climate data for Agios Nikolaos (2010–2019)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 15.7
(60.3) 		16.6
(61.9) 		18.2
(64.8) 		21.1
(70.0) 		24.8
(76.6) 		29.0
(84.2) 		31.4
(88.5) 		31.6
(88.9) 		28.9
(84.0) 		24.7
(76.5) 		21.2
(70.2) 		17.2
(63.0) 		23.4
(74.1)
Daily mean °C (°F) 13.0
(55.4) 		13.8
(56.8) 		15.1
(59.2) 		17.8
(64.0) 		21.5
(70.7) 		25.7
(78.3) 		28.3
(82.9) 		28.6
(83.5) 		25.8
(78.4) 		21.8
(71.2) 		18.4
(65.1) 		14.5
(58.1) 		20.4
(68.6)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 10.2
(50.4) 		11.0
(51.8) 		12.0
(53.6) 		14.4
(57.9) 		18.1
(64.6) 		22.3
(72.1) 		25.1
(77.2) 		25.5
(77.9) 		22.6
(72.7) 		18.8
(65.8) 		15.6
(60.1) 		11.8
(53.2) 		17.3
(63.1)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 112.0
(4.41) 		78.0
(3.07) 		44.0
(1.73) 		23.0
(0.91) 		12.0
(0.47) 		7.0
(0.28) 		2.0
(0.08) 		2.0
(0.08) 		10.0
(0.39) 		31.0
(1.22) 		32.0
(1.26) 		94.0
(3.70) 		447
(17.6)
Source: National Observatory of Athens[3]

Transportation

[edit]

Agios Nikolaos is accessible from the mainland and the whole of Europe through Heraklion International Airport, and the many daily ferry services in Heraklion 64 kilometres (40 mi). You can also travel through Sitia airport boarding onto a domestic or charter flight or through its harbour 67 kilometres (42 mi). Recently, the town became host to a department of the Hellenic Mediterranean university, offering tourism-related courses.

Notable residents

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Αποτελέσματα Απογραφής Πληθυσμού - Κατοικιών 2021, Μόνιμος Πληθυσμός κατά οικισμό" [Results of the 2021 Population - Housing Census, Permanent population by settlement] (in Greek). Hellenic Statistical Authority. 29 March 2024.
  2. ^ C. Michael Hogan, Lato Fieldnotes, The Modern Antiquarian, Jan 10, 2008
  3. ^ "Climate" (in Greek). National Observatory of Athens. Retrieved 10 Apr 2022.
  • Davaras, Costis, Hagios Nikolaos Museum, Athens 1982; Ρωμαϊκὸ Νεκροταφεῖο Ἁγίου Νικολάου, Ἀρχαιολογικὴ Ἐφημερὶς 1985, pp. 130–216; Führer zu den Altertümern Kretas, Athen 2003, pp. 125–126.
  • Davaras, Costis, S.Papadaki and N.Klontzas, Ο Αγιος Νικόλαος και η περιοχή του, Herakleion 2001.
[edit]
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