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Spata, is a town east of downtown Athens, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Spata-Artemida, of which it is the seat and a municipal unit. The municipal unit (officially named Spata-Loutsa) has an area of 55.042 km2. It is part of Athens metropolitan area. [edit] History
The area included the ancient Athenian demes of Erkhiá (Ερχιά), the birthplace of the historian and general Xenophon, and Kýthēros (Κύθηρος); a Mycenean cemetery has been excavated at the southern edge of town, the exhibits being hosted in the National Archaeological Museum of Athens. Evidence of small ancient settlements abound in the area, the most notable being the Neolithic fortified settlement on Zágani hill. Several of these were excavated during works for the airport and are being exhibited in the main airport building. Since the Middle Ages, Spata has been inhabited mainly by Arvanites. The town (then village) was re-populated by the medieval Tosk Albanian clan of Spata around the 15th century, after they emigrated from Epirus. It was named after John Spata, who was despot of Arta in the 14th century. The name "Spata" is derived from the Latin word spatha, which itself derives from the Greek word (spáthē), meaning "any broad blade, of wood or metal" but also "broad blade of a sword". The patron saints of the town are Peter and Paul, celebrated on July 29 at the Byzantine chapel of the same name, located near the eastern edge of the town. The feast is accompanied by the medieval custom of the distribution of the stifado, a beef-and-onions stew cooked overnight in cauldrons and distributed to the faithful outside the chapel after Mass. [edit] Historical population
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