CHALKIDA

CHALKIDA

Chalkida is the capital and main port of the Evia Regional Unit, in the Region of Central Greece with a population of 109,256 inhabitants. It is built on both sides of the Evripos Strait, where one part occupies part of the island of Evia, while the other is built in Central Greece. On its continental side, on the hill of the Kanithou district, is the Ottoman castle of Karambaba, which, together with the Eurippus Bridge and the unique phenomenon of changing the direction of the waters, are its most important features. It is a really impressive natural phenomenon and is an attraction for many visitors.

The Municipality of Chalkidea was established in 1835 and the Greek Documentary Festival "Docfest" takes place every year in the city, which is among the most important International Documentary Festival events.

Chalkida, with its two ports on Euripos, was one of the most active cities of ancient Greece. The city established colonies from Thrace to Italy and Sicily. Its current geographical and strategic position often forced it to submit to the conquering ambitions of various powers along its historical path, but also to form an integral part of the empires of both antiquity and the Middle Ages. It is therefore in a strategic position from every point of view and the fact of controlling the Euripos strait contributes to this.

The name of the city of Chalkida came from the presence of copper deposits in the wider area, which were also a factor of development. In the classical years, Chalkida helped in the common fight against the Persians with its participation in the naval battles of Artemisium, Salamis and the battle of Plataea, while it seems that it also participated in the First Athenian Alliance. During the years of the Peloponnesian War it was an important military and naval base.