Krystallopigi Κρυσταλλοπηγή | |
|---|---|
  Krystallopigi Location within the regional unit  | |
| Coordinates:40°38′N21°05′E / 40.633°N 21.083°E /40.633; 21.083 | |
| Country | Greece |
| Administrative region | West Macedonia |
| Regional unit | Florina |
| Municipality | Prespes |
| Area | |
| • Municipal unit | 102.0 km2 (39.4 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 1,130 m (3,710 ft) |
| Population (2021)[1] | |
| • Municipal unit | 145 |
| • Municipal unit density | 1.4/km2 (3.7/sq mi) |
| • Community | 111 |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+3 (EEST) |
| Vehicle registration | ΡΑ |
Krystallopigi (Greek:Κρυσταλλοπηγή) orKroustallopigi (Κρουσταλλοπηγή), before 1926: Smardesi (Σμαρδέσι)[2] is a formercommunity inFlorina regional unit,West Macedonia,Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipalityPrespes, of which it is a municipal unit.[3] Krystallopigi is located close to the Greek–Albanian border and is 50 km (31 mi) fromFlorina.[4]
The municipal unit has an area of 101.984 km2.[5] The population is 145 (2021). The main village is also called Krystallopigi. After the Greek Civil War, the village was resettled withAromanians fromEpirus. Today they still form the majority of the town's population. Nearby is located the depopulated villageVambel.
KrystallopigibordersAlbania to the west;Prespes municipality to the north;Korestia municipality,Kastoria regional unit, to the east and southeast; andKastraki community,Kastoria regional unit, to the south. A major roadborder crossing intoAlbania is located here. The Albanian side of the border crossing is known asKapshtica, 9 km east fromBilisht.
Until 1926, the village was known asSmardesi (Greek:Σμαρδέσι).[2] In theBulgarian it is known as Смърдеш,Smardesh orSmrdesh, while inMacedonian as Смрдеш,Smrdeš. The original name of the village is believed to be derived from the local Slavic name of a nearby mineral springSmrdliva Voda meaningstinky water.[6] The modern name Krystallopigi means "crystal spring".
The village was mentioned in an Ottomandefter of 1530, under the name ofIsmirdesh, and was described as having 53 households.[7] The bigger part of the population of Smerdesh in 19th and in the beginning of 20th century wasBulgarian.[8] There were 1780 inhabitants in 1900.[9] The church of St. George was built in 1891.[10]
Many residents of Smardesh took part in the struggle ofIMORO. There was an illegal foundry and depot forhand grenades in 1903.[11][12] The village was burned by Turkish troops in May 1903.[13] It was plundered and burned for the second time in 1903 during theIlinden–Preobrazhenie Uprising.[14]
The name of the village was changed to Krystallopigi in 1926.
During theGreek Civil War (1946-1949) Krystallopigi was destroyed and later rebuilt between 1957–1958.[15] The rebuilt settlement is located east of the original location of the village.[4] The Greek government assisted a group of nomadic transhumantAromanians, known as the Arvanitovlachs to settle in Krystallopigi.[16][15] Aromanians are the only inhabitants of the village.[16]
Krystallopigi had 265 inhabitants in 1981.[17] In fieldwork done by anthropologist Riki Van Boeschoten in late 1993, Krystallopigi was populated by Aromanians.[17]
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1913 | 1,488 | — |
| 1920 | 718 | −51.7% |
| 1928 | 598 | −16.7% |
| 1940 | 624 | +4.3% |
| 1961 | 364 | −41.7% |
| 1971 | 309 | −15.1% |
| 1981 | 265 | −14.2% |
| 2001[5] | 383 | +44.5% |
| 2011[18] | 359 | −6.3% |
| 2021[1] | 145 | −59.6% |