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OUR
VILLAGE
The history of Karitsa began almost 250 years ago. According to the
resident’s testimonies and the existing official records (agreements
with the Turks, lease contracts), we know that at that time some families,
few at the beginning, settled permanently in this village, coming from
Fteri. These first families were Gina’s, Kyrtego’s and Evangelou’s.
In summer these same families used to return to Fteri with their flocks.
These people urged the rest of the residents of Fteri to go down and to
settle in the fertile land of Karitsa, at the foot of Olympus, next to the
ancient Dion. Again according to resident’s testimonies, some families
settled in other areas.
The
village of was a Turkish ciflik at that time. The Turkish commander’s
house was situated in the place where now D. Goulanta’s house is
situated. The commander permitted them to cultivate some pieces of land
and of course they were paying a large and unbearable levy (almost the 2/3
of the whole products). The “Koutsekia” (warehouses where there the
taxes were gathered) were in the place where there is a square today. This
taxation though brought about indignation to the residents who started
thinking of ways to protest. Thus a team of 5 – 6 men who weir dressed
in women’s clothes visited the commander whom they beat and terrified.
At the same time the women and children of the village were stoning the
house of the Turkish Aga. This was a clearly revolutionary act and its
result was the Turks from the village of Karitsa. So, the place was left
to the villagers. In 1918 with the royal decree 152/1918 the commune of
Dion was recognized and it was consisted of the communes of Karitsa (780
residents), Malathria and Kalivia of Malathria. Karitsa became a separate
commune in 1961 r.d. 35/30-12-61 (1598 residents)
Nowadays,
Karitsa along with Dion, Vrontou, Saint Spiridonas, Kontariotisa and New
Efesos compose the unified municipality of Dion which has Kontariotisa as
its seat.2400 residents live permanently in Karitsa and it’s one of the
most developed villages of the prefecture. The residents are wanly engaged
in agriculture and less in stockbreeding, commerce and other occupations.
In the fields of Karitsa first quality tobacco is produced and it is its
main cultivation. There are also produced corn, beetroot, wheat and kiwi
fruits. At the same time the residents of Karitsa are active in other
fields too (culture, athletics, etc).
The
traditions and the Vlahs customs exist ever these days despite the
difficulties of our age.
Today
in Karitsa there is a community office (Tel 53345) and agrarian medical
center.
There is an agrarian association, which numbers almost 400
members.
There
is a two-post Kindergarten with 50 infants and an eight-post Primary
school with 150 pupils.
The
patron saint of the village is Saint Dimitrios to whom the central church
is dedicated. Every summer, on the 7th of July, there is a big
fair in the honor of Saint Kiriaki.
The
sport association has developed many activities too. The football team, AE
KARITSA, was the champion in the last year’s championship and this year
it takes part in the D-class of the national teams.
Someone can get
to Karitsa through the provincial road Katerini – Dion (12 Km) and
through the highway from the crossing of Gritsa (7 Km).
WHAT
CAN SOMEONE SEE IN KARITSA
A beautiful site which every can visit is the area of Saint Vasilios, at
the foot of Mt Olympus. The view of the god’s mountain from this site is
magnificent. The site is suitable for relaxation, recreation and plays.
Someone
can also visit the archeological site of the ancient Dion, even on foot
(its only 1 Km away).
Agia
Kori is also worth visiting. The pilgrimage and the site are in the nearby
village of Vrontou. The beauty of the place is unique. The Holy water of
Agia Kori is situated in the depths of a ravine.
Lastly
one can organize very nice excursions on Olympus.
There
are hotels in the neighboring village of Dion.
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