Tracing a Century of Migrations in Nea Ionia, Volos: A Walk Through History

At the conclusion of the conference organized by the Department of History, Archaeology, and Social Anthropology (#IAKA – University of Thessaly) on the theme “Greece 1922-2022: A Century of Mobilities”, we embarked on a collective journey through Nea Ionia, Volos. Our walk retraced the footsteps of refugees and migrants who settled in the area throughout the 20th century and continue to shape its character today.

For those who wish to explore Nea Ionia’s rich history, you can download the mobile application (currently available for Android devices) or take a virtual tour online: 100places.gr.

Volos: A Gateway for Refugees and Migrants

Since the late 19th century, the city of Volos has evolved into a thriving commercial and industrial center. Its economic growth was fueled primarily by trade and industry, making it an attractive destination for new settlers. The port of Volos played a crucial role in receiving successive waves of refugees between 1921 and 1924.

Between 1921 and 1924, Volos became a major settlement site for refugees fleeing the Greco-Turkish War (1919-1922). According to the 1928 census, 11,945 refugees had settled in Volos, out of a total population of 47,892. During the interwar period, the arrival of refugees, who often provided cheap labor, transformed the city into one of Greece’s largest industrial hubs. The booming industries of Volos attracted rural populations, offering them a chance to experience urban life and secure employment.

Key Stops on the Historical Walk Through Nea Ionia

1. The Settlement of Refugees in Nea Ionia

Volos, emerging as an economic powerhouse by the end of the 19th century, became a major refugee reception center between 1921 and 1924. The port served as a crucial entry point for displaced populations seeking a new beginning.

2. The Bridge of Krausidonas

The Krausidonas river is one of the three major torrents of Volos, along with Anavros and Xirias. Flowing from Mount Pelion into the city’s port, the river formed a natural boundary between the refugee settlement of Nea Ionia and the Municipality of Pagases.

3. "Fardy" Street

A mere 350 meters separate the bridge from the square. Although its layout mirrors that of 2nd November Street, the central avenue of Volos, its name and identity have changed over the years. Known as Chalkidonos until 1949, King Paul Avenue until 1983, and since then, Peace Avenue, the locals still refer to it as Fardy or the Fardy.

4. The Shops of Fardy

Once a bustling commercial hub, Fardy Street hosted a variety of businesses: the Byzantio pastry shop, Stamatiasis’ butcher shop, Garitsis’ grocery store (later a poultry and egg market), Minysios’ colonial store, and Karathanasopoulos’ shop. Some of these businesses have disappeared, but a few remain—greengrocers, butchers, fishmongers, bakeries, barbershops, and traditional cafés still preserve the street’s unique charm.

5. The Itinerant Merchants of Nea Ionia

For many refugees, peddling goods was either a necessity or a continuation of their previous professions. Itinerant trade became a crucial economic activity, helping families survive in their new homeland.

6. Kallipoleos 14: The Refugee Home of Kyriaki Moschou

Nestled in one of Nea Ionia’s narrow streets, at 14 Kallipoleos Street, stands the home of Kyriakoula Antoniou Moschou. She arrived from Englezonisi, Asia Minor, in 1922 at the age of 11, carrying with her the memories of her lost homeland.

7. Neighborhood, Care, and Solidarity

Kyriaki Moschou spent much of her childhood in her grandmother’s house. She recalls a close-knit community where houses stood “one on top of the other,” fostering strong neighborly ties and mutual support.

8. The Remnants of Despina Moustani’s Refugee Home

Born in 1880 in Kydonies (Aivali), Despina Moustani arrived in Volos in 1924 as an exchange refugee with her seven children. Having lost her husband Evangelos to violence in Aivali, she rebuilt her life in Nea Ionia.

9. From Nea Ionia to Germany and Back

Evangelos Moustanis, the eldest son of Giorgos Moustanis from Aivali and Konstantia Karavanaki from Pergamon, was born in Nea Ionia in August 1935. Like many of his generation, he later migrated to Germany for work before returning home.

10. The Tzamaliotika District

Mustafa Tzamali, a tobacco merchant from Volos, was forcibly relocated as part of the 1923 population exchange. Although he left, his name endured, lending itself to the district known as Tzamaliotika.

11. Post-War Migration: Thessalians in Nea Ionia, Nea Ionia in Germany

During the 1940s, Volos' urban population grew by 18.5%. By 1951, the combined population of Volos and Nea Ionia reached 65,090, largely due to internal migration from rural areas—driven by economic hardship, political persecution, and the lingering effects of the Greek Civil War.

12. From the Refugee Gymnastics Club to Niki Volou

The influx of refugees reshaped Greek sports culture. Refugee athletic clubs, initially formed as social organizations, became integral to their community’s identity. The Gymnastics Club of Refugees in Volos later evolved into Niki Volou, a prominent football club.

13. The Refugee Schools of Nea Ionia

In the school year 1924-1925, the first two refugee schools opened near today’s Evangelistria Square: the 1st Refugee Boys’ Primary School (four-grade) and the 1st Refugee Girls’ School (three-grade).

14. Eron from Permet

Following the fall of the Eastern Bloc in the 1990s, waves of migrants from the Balkans and Eastern Europe arrived in Greece. The country’s economic boom at the time made it a prime destination for thousands of newcomers, particularly from Albania.

15. Housing Restoration and Memory Preservation

As Volos expanded, its old refugee houses aged. Over time, the descendants of Asia Minor refugees outgrew the original single-room homes, leading to renovations and redevelopments while preserving historical memory.

16. The Roma Community in Nea Ionia: Familiar Yet Marginalized Neighbors

While the Krausidonas River separates Nea Ionia from Volos, another invisible boundary exists within Nea Ionia itself: the railway tracks that divide the Aliveri neighborhood, home to a predominantly Roma community.

17. Evangelistria: A Century of Migrations in Nea Ionia

Just a year after the first refugees settled in the Tetragona district, the municipal council of Pagases decided in December 1925 to construct a church in Nea Ionia—an initiative led by the newly settled community.

Conclusion

Nea Ionia, Volos, is more than just a district—it is a living testament to migration, resilience, and cultural transformation. The stories of those who arrived as refugees or migrants have become an integral part of the city’s identity. Through this historical walk, we not only revisit their past but also recognize their ongoing contribution to shaping Volos' present and future.

Explore this rich history yourself—walk through Nea Ionia, use the 100places.gr app, and uncover the layered narratives of displacement, adaptation, and community building that define this remarkable place.