Salamis ( ; ) or Salamina () is the largest Greek island in the Saronic Gulf, about from the coast of Athens' port of Piraeus and about west of Athens center.

The chief city, Salamina, lies in the west-facing core of the crescent on Salamis Bay, which opens into the Saronic Gulf. On the eastern side of the island its main port, Paloukia, connects the island with Perama in the western part of Athens urban area through a frequent ferry line and is the second largest port in Greece in terms of passengers, after the port of Piraeus.

Etymology

The traditional etymology of Salamis derives it from the eponymous nymph Salamis, the mother of Cychreus, the legendary first king of the island. A more modern theory considers "Salamis" to come from the root sal 'salt' and -amis 'middle'; thus Salamis would be the place amid salt water.

From at least the 13th century until the 19th century, the town, the island, and the bay of Salamis were called (), because of its round shape (). The ancient name was revived in the 19th century. The name Koulouri is still used informally for the town. The island is known in Arvanitika as ("Kulluri").

History

left|thumb|287px|Coin of Salamis, 339–318 BC. Obverse: Female head. Reverse: [[Boeotian shield (shield of Ajax) and sword in sheath]]

Salamis was probably first colonised by Aegina and later occupied by Megara, but became an Athenian possession in the time of Solon or Peisistratos, following the war between Athens and Megara around 600 BC. According to Strabo, the ancient capital was at the south of the island; in classical times it was to the east, on the Kamatero Peninsula overlooking the Strait of Salamis; in modern times it is on the west.

According to Homer's Iliad, Salamis took part in the Trojan War with twelve ships under the leadership of Ajax ()

Salamis island is known for the Battle of Salamis, the decisive naval victory of the Athenian-led allied Greek fleet, led by Themistocles, over the Persian Empire in 480 BC. It is said to be the birthplace of Ajax and Euripides, the latter's birth being popularly placed on the day of the battle. In modern times, it is home to Salamis Naval Base, headquarters for the Hellenic Navy.

Arvanites were recorded among the inhabitants of the island in 1688. They lived in poverty as most of the Arvanites in Greece at the time.

The oldest known counting board was discovered on Salamis Island in 1899. It is thought to have been used by the Babylonians in about 300 BC and is more a gaming board than a calculating device. It is marble, about , and has carved Greek symbols and parallel grooves.

During the German invasion of Greece in World War II, the harbor was bombed by the Luftwaffe on April 23, 1941, sinking the Greek battleships and .

In the 1960s and 1970s, during the military junta period, changes in land legislation allowed the subdivision of land plots. This opened the island to massive unplanned and unregulated urban and suburban development, including many weekend homes, especially along the northern and eastern coasts. The lack of corresponding investment in infrastructure, combined with heavy industry, has led to sea and beach pollution on this side of the island. There are, however, ongoing initiatives such as help from the European Union's Cohesion Fund toward improving sewerage by 2008.

Geography

thumb|right|Salamina island map

Salamina has an area of ; its highest point is Mavrovouni at . A significant part of Salamina is rocky and mountainous. On the southern part of the island a pine forest is located, which is unusual for western Attica. This forest is often a target for fires.

While the inland inhabitants are mainly employed within the agricultural sector, the majority of Salamis' inhabitants work in maritime occupations (fishing, ferries, and the island's shipyards) or commute to work in Athens. The maritime industry is focused on the north-east coast of the island at the port of (), where ferries to mainland Greece are based, and in the dockyards of Ampelakia and the north side of the Kynosoura peninsula.

Salamina is very popular for holiday and weekend visits from Athens mainland; its population rises to 300,000 in peak season of which c. 31,000 are permanent inhabitants. However, tourism in the island could develop more. The island is currently partially restricted due to the presence of a naval base, and its proximity to the industrial port at Perama detracts from its appeal.

Climate

According to the meteorological station of the National Observatory of Athens and Harokopio University, Salamina has a hot semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification: BSh) with mild winters and very hot summers.

Municipality

Salamina Island belongs to the Islands regional unit of the Attica region. Since the 2011 local government reform the island is administered as one municipality. Before, the island was divided into two municipalities, that became municipal units at the reform:

  • Salamina
  • Ampelakia

In the municipal unit of Salamina, which has a land area of and a 2011 census population of 31,776, the chief population centre is the city of Salamina (also called Salamis, Salamis City or Koulouris, pop. 25,888 in 2011), consisting of the districts Alonia, Agios Minas, Agios Dimitrios, Agios Nikolaos, Boskos, Nea Salamina, Tsami and Vourkari. Its second-largest town is Aiánteio (pop. 5,888). In the municipal unit of Ampelakia, which has a land area of

{| class="wikitable"

|-

! Year !! Salamina (town) !! Salamina (municipal unit) !! Salamis (island)

|-

| 1981 || 20,807 || 25,215 || 30,402

|-

| 1991 || 22,567 || 27,582 || 34,342

|-

| 2001 || 25,730 || 30,962 || 38,022

|-

| 2011 || 25,888 || 31,776 || 39,283

|-

| 2021 || 24,997 || 30,235 || 37,220

|}

Villages in the municipal unit of Salamina

thumb|284x284px|[[Salamis Naval Base]]

thumb|279x279px|Batsi beach

Paloukia

Paloukia (Greek: Παλούκια) is located in the northeast of the island. Many ferryboats, fishing vessels and port police craft dock in this harbor. Paloukia is the base for the port police department of Salamina.

Most visitors who come to Salamina first arrive at Paloukia via ferryboats that run between Paloukia and Perama or Piraeus.

The area is adjacent to the Salamis Naval Base (in Greek ), which is a major base of the Hellenic Navy.

Aianteio

Aianteio (; population 4,390 as of 2021) In the region, there are churches from the 11th and 12th centuries such as Saint John and Saint Dimitrios.

Interesting places to visit are:

  • the oldest church in the island, Saint John the "Kalyvitis", which dates back to the 10th century and has remarkable hagiographies
  • the monastery of Saint Nicolas which dates back to the 18th century and is situated in a forest.

Batsi

Batsi (; pop. 172)</small>

Landmarks

thumb|272x272px|Archaeological Museum of Salamisalt=|thumb|Circular funerary, 4th century BC in Kolones|272x272px

{| class="wikitable sortable"

|-

! Landmark !! Year of construction !! Location

|-

|Faneromeni Monastery || 15th century || Faneromeni

|-

|Chantry of Saint George || 1250 || Agios Georgios

|-

|Mycenaean city of Salamis || 13th century BC || Kanakia

|-

|Ancient city and port of Salamis || 5th – 1st centuries BC || Ampelakia

|-

|Fighters tomb of the naval Battle of Salamis || 5th century BC || Ampelakia, Kynosoura

|-

|Circular funerary || 4th century BC || Kolones

|-

|Euripideio Theatre || 1993 || in suburbs of Salamis City (in hill Patris)

|-

|Church of Saint Dimitrios ||1806 || center of Salamis City (in hononymous district)

|-

|The Cave of Euripides || 450 BC ||at south Salamis Island (near Peristeria)

|-

|The Cottage of Angelos Sikelianos || 1935 ||Faneromeni

|-

|The Stone Lighthouse|| 1901 ||Peristeria

|-

|The bust of Georgios Karaiskakis ||1982 ||center of Salamis City (in Vourkari district)

|-

|The Windmills ||19th century ||in suburbs of Salamis City (in a hill)

|-

|Chantry of Prophet Elias || early 20th century || Salamis City (in a stone hill)

|-

|Chantry of Saint Grygorios || 12th century || Psili Ammos

|-

|The Stony small Theater || 1990 || Selinia

|-

|The City Hall of Salamis || 2000 || Salamis City

|-

|The Monastery of Saint Nicolaos || 17th century ||at south Salamis Island (near Kanakia)

|-

|The Church of Saint John the Kalyvitis ||11th century ||at south Salamis Island (near Kanakia)

|-

|The Folklore Museum ||2000 || lodging at Salamis City Hall

|-

|Archaeological museum of Salamis|| 2013 || Salamis City

|-

|The Mansion of Galeos Family || 19th century || at Salamis center (at Agios Minas district)

|-

|The Church of Saint Minas ||1869 ||at Salamis City (at Agios Minas district)

|}

Notable people

Mythological and ancient people

  • Ajax the Great, the legendary king of Salamis island, son of Telamon and half-brother of Teucer
  • Cychreus, the first king of Salamis Island
  • Euripides, tragedian (480 BC – 406 BC)
  • Moerocles, orator (4th century BC)
  • Telamon, the king of Salamis Island, father of Ajax the Great and Teucer
  • Teucer, the half-brother of Ajax the Great, son of Telamon, warrior of Trojan War, and founder of the city-state of Salamis, Cyprus.

Modern people

  • Georgios Karaiskakis (c. 1780–1827), Greek War of Independence hero, is buried on Salamis.
  • Polychronis Lempesis (1848–1913), painter
  • Anastas Kullurioti, publisher
  • Theodoros Pangalos (general)
  • Dimitrios Mpogris (1890–1964), playwright
  • Giorgos Papasideris (1902–1977), country singer, composer and lyricist
  • Angelos Sikelianos (1884–1951), poet and playwright, whose cottage was near the Monastery of Faneromeni.
  • Memos Mpegnis (1974- ), actor
  • Dimitra Fimi (1978-), academic and writer

Twin towns / sister cities

Salamis Island is twinned with Famagusta, Cyprus (1998)

<gallery class="center" widths="267px" heights="225px">

File:Kaki Vigla beach in Salamina.jpg|Kaki Vigla beach

File:Kaki vigla 02.JPG|Kaki Vigla beach

File:kaki vigla 03.JPG|Kaki Vigla Gulf

File:Faneromenis monasteri Salamis.jpg|The historic monastery of Faneromeni

File:St. Nicolas Lemonia Histioric Monastery 17th c.jpg|Nicolas Lemonia monastery 17th century AD, on the road between the villages Aianteio and Kanakia

File:Kanakia beach.jpg| Kanakia beach

</gallery>

See also

  • Trojan War
  • Greek Revolution
  • Aeacus

References

  • Official website of Municipality of Salamina