Vaptistis

Vaptistis (Greek: Βαπτιστής) is a settlement in the Kilkis prefecture of Greece.

Distances

The village of Vaptistis is near:

• Kilkis 12 km
• Industrial area of Kilkis 5 km
• Thessaloniki 46 km
• Polykastro 15 km
• Athens 556 km

Population

Few years ago the population of Vaptistis was about 1000 people. Nowadays, its population is around 500 since many have abandoned it and moved into cities, such as Thessaloniki and Athens. The population of Vaptisti was originally coming from Eastern Thrace in 1922 after the Asia Minor Catastrophe.

History

Before 1922, the village was inhabited by Turks and its name was Haidarli. Following the population exchange between Greece and Turkey, the Greeks of Turkey moved into Haidarli, abandoning their known way of life in "Hamenes Patrides." Turks followed the same route but towards the opposite direction.^{[citation needed]}

Other

The village despite its size and population has a primary school, a high school, a stadium and three churches. The protector Saint is St. John the Baptist. There are also, a rather active athletic club "A.C. Doxa Vaptisti" (Δόξα Βαπτιστού) and a cultural one "Politistikos Sillogos Baptisti"