Kozani
Kozani (Greek: Κοζάνη, pronounced [koˈzani]) is a town in northern Greece, capital of Kozani regional unit and of Western Macedonia. It is located in the western part of Macedonia, in the northern part of the Aliakmonas river valley. The city lies 710 metres (2,329 feet) above sea level, 15 kilometres (9 miles) northwest of the artificial lake Polyfytos, 120 km (75 miles) south-west of Thessaloniki, between the mountains Pieria, Vermio, Vourinos and Askio. The population of the Kozani municipality is over 67,000 people. The climate of the area is continental with cold and dry winters, and hot summers.
Kozani
Κοζάνη | |
|---|---|
Municipality | |
Clockwise from top: Panoramic view of the city of Kozani, Municipal Garden of Kozani, Historical–Folklore and Natural History Museum of Kozani, Church of Saint Nicholas, View of the nearby Lake Polifytos, Nikis Square and its Clock Tower. | |
Kozani Location within the region | |
| Coordinates: 40°18′N 21°47′E | |
| Country | Greece |
| Geographic region | Macedonia |
| Administrative region | Western Macedonia |
| Regional unit | Kozani |
| Districts | 20 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Lazaros Maloutas (KINAL; since 2019) |
| Area | |
| • Municipality | 1,071.3 km2 (413.6 sq mi) |
| • Municipal unit | 366.0 km2 (141.3 sq mi) |
| • Community | 34.371 km2 (13.271 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 710 m (2,330 ft) |
| Population (2021) | |
| • Municipality | 67,224 |
| • Density | 63/km2 (160/sq mi) |
| • Municipal unit | 53,174 |
| • Municipal unit density | 150/km2 (380/sq mi) |
| • Community | 43,316 |
| • Community density | 1,300/km2 (3,300/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+3 (EEST) |
| Postal code | 501 xx (xx=31 or 32) |
| Area code(s) | 2461 |
| Vehicle registration | KZ, MN |
| Website | cityofkozani.gov.gr |
Kozani is the home of the University of Western Macedonia, with about 15,000 students from all over Greece and other places. It is also the seat of West Macedonia's court of appeal, police department, fire brigade, the seat of the 1st Army Corps of the Hellenic Army and of the Bishop of Servia and Kozani.
One of the most important aspects of local folklore is Kozani's carnival at the end of the winter, which retains much of the profanity of the ancient Dionysiac cult. Kozani is renowned in Greece and abroad for the production of saffron (Krokos Kozanis), in the nearby town of Krokos.
Kozani is a transport node between Central Macedonia, Thessaly and Epirus. The nearest airport is Filippos Airport, 4 kilometres (2 miles) from the city, IATA code: KZI. The airport was first opened in the mid-20th century. Kozani is situated near the Egnatia Highway, which connects the coast of the Ionian Sea with Thessaloniki and Turkish borders.