Voio Region: Geographic Names and Historical Identity
The region surrounding Mount Voios possesses a rich tapestry of nomenclature, where geographic terms have evolved over decades to reflect administrative changes, natural landscapes, and complex demographic shifts. From the Ottoman era to the modern day, the names used to describe this area provide insight into its cultural and environmental history.
The Evolution of Regional Designations
In the mid-1990s, the terms Upper (Ano) Voio and Lower (Kato) Voio became the primary geographic descriptors for the wider region. These terms, derived from Mount Voios, were disseminated and popularized by the Research Association of Ano Voios to provide a structured way of describing the area's geography.
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Historical and Cultural Identifiers
Beyond official geographic terms, the region has been known by names that highlight its natural resources and its social history during pivotal moments of the 20th century.
Kastanochoria
The term Kastanochoria was used to describe specific villages in the region. This name refers to the abundance of local chestnut trees. Historically, it also served as a marker for villages that did not receive Greek refugee populations following the Greek–Turkish population exchange, a compulsory migration of people between the two nations.
Anaselitsa
During the Ottoman era, the wider area was known as Anaselitsa. This name was derived from Seltsa, a local village known today as Eratyra. Anaselitsa remained in use until the late 1920s, when official geographic name changes rendered the term obsolete.
Key Facts
- Upper and Lower Voio: Terms derived from Mount Voios and spread by the Research Association of Ano Voios in the mid-1990s.
- Kastanochoria: A name meaning "chestnut villages," identifying areas with many chestnut trees and no refugee populations after the Greek-Turkish exchange.
- Anaselitsa: The Ottoman-era name for the region, based on the village of Seltsa (modern Eratyra).
- Timeline of Change: The name Anaselitsa fell out of use in the late 1920s due to official renaming.
| Name | Origin/Meaning | Historical Context |
|---|---|---|
| Upper (Ano) & Lower (Kato) Voio | Mount Voios | Promoted by Research Association of Ano Voios (mid-1990s) |
| Kastanochoria | Chestnut trees | Villages without Greek refugee populations |
| Anaselitsa | Village of Seltsa (Eratyra) | Ottoman era; obsolete by late 1920s |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who promoted the terms Upper and Lower Voio?
These terms were spread by the Research Association of Ano Voios in the mid-1990s to describe the wider region surrounding Mount Voios.
What does the name Kastanochoria signify?
Kastanochoria refers to the abundance of chestnut trees in the area and identifies villages that did not receive Greek refugee populations after the Greek-Turkish population exchange.
What was the region called during the Ottoman era?
The region was known as Anaselitsa, a name derived from the local village of Seltsa, which is now called Eratyra.
When did the name Anaselitsa stop being used?
The name Anaselitsa became obsolete in the late 1920s following official geographic name changes.