Neokastro, Imathia

Neokastro (Νεόκαστρον) Imathia

Neokastro is a village in the Municipality of Alexandria, in the Prefecture of Imathia. It is 22 km from the capital of the prefecture, Veria, and is built at the foot of the Pieria Mountains.

The permanent residents of the village are about 1,200 and their main occupation is agriculture (tobacco, peaches, cotton, wheat, corn) and few are engaged in animal husbandry.

The inhabitants are local Rumlukiotes (Rumluki (Turkish word "Rumluk" in Greek, Roman valley), an area to the right and left of the Aliakmonas River in the plain of Imathia, and Vlachs who settled in the village in the 1920s around Avdel mainly.

In Neokastro there is a three-seat six-grade Primary School.

Also since 1994, the "CULTURAL ASSOCIATION OF YOUNG NEOKASTROS" has been officially active, which has been informal since 1978. The purpose of the Association is to preserve the rich cultural heritage of the village, the local and Vlach dances and customs.

Main cultural events taking place in Neokastro:

After the Christmas fast in the village square but also in the houses, the Grounohara or Grounoflia is done as it is called.
On the Twelfth Day of Christmas, Rugatsi revives a custom that is lost in Turkish rule. Puddles of tsoliades return to the houses and villages of the plain and raise money after receiving the blessing of the village priest to build schools.
On the eve of Shrove Monday, the burning of cedars takes place in the village square with traditional music made of zournades and clarinet, plenty of wine, tsipouro, halva and olives.
At Easter (of Lazarus or the next day) the Lazarines return to the village and sing the "carols of Lazarus":

Today Vaion today Vaia,
today is the Sunday that the fish eat,
pick up Lazarus and don't sleep ...

On May 21, in memory of Constantine and Helen, the festival is celebrated with a feast and traditional dances.

See also

Achilleas Neokastrou is a football club in the prefecture of Imathia based in Neokastro.

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