Alexandreia, town in Imathia, Macedonia, Greece
Alexandreia is a city in Central Macedonia located in the Imathia region of northern Greece on flat land about 33 feet (10 meters) above sea level. It sits in a fertile plain north of the Aliakmonas River and depends on agriculture, trade, and tourism, with local production of fruit, tobacco, and cotton that sustains its economy.
The area was under Ottoman rule as Gidas until its liberation in 1912 during the Balkan War, after which it became part of Greece and was renamed Alexandreia in 1953. The draining of nearby marshes in the 1930s and the construction of the railway station in the late 1800s transformed the region into a productive agricultural center.
The city was renamed Alexandreia in 1953 from its former name Gidas, reflecting a shift toward modern Greek identity. Local traditions like the Christmas rougatzia festival see men in traditional dress dancing through streets with swords to collect donations, a custom rooted in the area's history of independence fighters.
The city is easily reached via the Egnatia Odos highway and the railway station, which connects to Thessaloniki and other regions. Visitors will find shops, cafes, and a weekly market at the southern entrance, while the main commercial and social life centers on Vetsopoulou Street.
Local legend claims women of the region received a special headwrap called katsouli from Alexander the Great after they supposedly repelled enemies alone. Visitors can still see this traditional dress at local festivals and learn about the stories that shaped the community's identity.
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