Avdella (Greek: Αβδέλλα; Aromanian: Avdhela) is a village and a former municipality in Grevena regional unit, Western Macedonia, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform, it has been a municipal unit of Grevena.[2] It is a seasonal Aromanian (Vlach) village.[3][4][5] Located in the Pindus mountains at 1250–1350 metres altitude, its summer population is about 3000 and in the winter there are only a few residents. The 2021 census recorded 73 inhabitants.[1] It is notable as the birthplace of the Manakis brothers, and appears in the opening sequence of the film Ulysses' Gaze. The community of Avdella covers an area of 43.243 km2.[6]
History
Panorama of the village Avdella. 1898. Photo taken by Manaki Brothers (Damaged glass plate)
The first foundation of Avdella remains unknown. Perhaps it was connected to the creation of settlements on the mountain range of Smolikas with the delivery of veterinary surgeon activity of region.[clarification needed] In the beginning, Aromanian families created small family settlements which were fused and became a single settlement such as current Avdella. The foundation and the growth of Avdella is associated with the rise of livestock-farming taking into account the pastoral habits of the locals. Before 1800, the village was situated in the "Fântîne", but the residents, mostly large families of Aromanian shepherds moved to the current position due to better climate.[citation needed]
The first Romanian school in the region of modern Greece was founded in Avdella in 1867 by local Aromanian Apostol Mărgărit.[7]
Some authors claim that Avdella was a center of pro-Romanian sentiment in the beginning of the 20th century, contributing figures such as Apostol Mărgărit. It was burned in October 1905 by Greek antartes because of this.[8] Contributing leaders such as Zisis Verros in Macedonian Struggle were fighting for the Greek cause.
On 14 July 1944, the village was burned again by a group of German Nazis, during their retreat.[citation needed]
