VODENA (Turk. and Bulg. Voden, anc.

See also:

• EDESSA
• EDESSA (mod. , Vodena)

Edessa, q.v.)  , a city of European Turkey, in the vilayet of Salonica, western Macedonia; at the source of the small river Bistritza, which flows east and south into Lake Yenije, and on the railway from Salonica to Monastir . Pop . (1905) about 25,000, consisting of Turks, Slays and Greeks . The town stands on a rocky height commanding views of Pindus and Olympus; the approaching slopes are richly wooded, and traversed by picturesque waterfalls, from which the name of Vodena (Slay. voda, water) is probably derived . Vodena is the see of a Greek archbishop, and possesses numerous churches and mosques, besides unimportant remains of Roman and Byzantine buildings . It has manufactures of cotton, tobacco and leather, and a large trade in wine, silk cocoons and red pepper .