Leonidio

The municipality of Leonidio is a municipality in Arcadia, Greece. It has 6,294 inhabitants, according to the 2001 census, and its capital is the town of Leonidio. The municipality is situated on the eastern coast of Peloponnese and, although coastal-Myrtoon Sea-, it is mainly mountainous-Parnon mountain-. However, Leonidio town is found on the plain of Leonidio which is fertile and very important for the local economy, as a great part of the population is employed in agriculture. Apart from citrus fruits, tomatoes and olives, the most famous and widely-produced product is the Tsakonian eggplant, which is characteristic for its sweet taste and is aknowledged and protected by the European Union. Tourism that is unfortunately not developed enough is a vital part of the area, where you can find seducing beaches with clean waters and breathtaking mountainous landscapes. Furthermore, the area is part of Tsakonia and still the Tsakonian language is spoken in some villages. The municipal departments are the following: Leonidio, Ag. Vasilis, Kounoupia, Mari,Paliohori, Peleta, Pigadi, Platanaki, Poulithra, Pragmatefti, Tsitalia, Vlisidia.

[edit] Leonidio (town)

Leonidio, with a population of 3,804 (according to the 1991 census), is found in a magnificent landscape crated by the two abrupt mountains that enclose the town from north and south. River Dafnon passes through the town, whose banks are linked with three bridges. Leonidio is the capital of Tsakonia region, notable for the cultural and linguistic particularities. Moreover the town is known for the interesting architecture and the picturesque image it presents. Due to that fact, Leonidio was declared a site of traditional architecture and, consequently, there are very strict regulations for building inside the town.

Leonidio is placed near the ancient city of Prasiae, which was an important harbour of Sparta until its ruin by the Athenians during the Peloponnesian War. The ancient Greek traveller Pausanias calls the area "garden of Dionysus" because of the fertility of the plain of Leonidio and the ancient myth that reports young Dionysus was found in the beach and brought up in a cave of the site. There is also a different version of the story, influenced by christian tradition, that says the relics of Saint Leonides were found in the beach of Leonidio where a church was built, still standing today. This is the dominant version for the derivation of the name Leonidio. During Medieval Ages, Leonidio was used only as a winter refuge for the inhabitants of Prastos, old capital of Tsakonia. But when Prastos was burned to the ground by Ibrahim Pasha during the Greek Revolution, the refugees found shelter in Leonidio, protected thanks to the morphology of the landscape. For the next years the town was thriving, as its residents were wealthy merchants and seamen, closely associated with Constantinople and Odessa. In that period beautiful neo-classical houses and tower-houses were built, such as the "Tsikaliotis Tower". In 1949 January 21 , a significant battle of the Greek civil war took place in the town.

Today, Leonidio is a lively town, especially in summer months, due to the, relatively undevelopped, tourism. However, agriculture is the main source of income for the residents and the banefits of the exploitation of the plain are irreplacable. Furthermore, Leonidio is famous or the Easter celebration, when the custom of air-baloons (aerostata) takes place. The well-known Greek comedy writer Dimitrios Psathas said: "...carnival in Patras and Easter only in Leonidio".

[edit] Plaka

Plaka is the picturesque port of Leonidio, situated 4km from the town. The port is mainly touristic (gas and water are supplied), but there are also a few fishing boats. A fabulous beach lies 4km across the shore, where you can find some organised units. Plaka has many taverns and bars right next to the sea. Every August, the "(Tsakonian) Eggplant festival" takes place in Plaka, with important European chefs participating, an event with growing popularity.

[edit] Geology of the area

Thanks to its position on the mountain of Parnon, the Leonidio municipality is home to some stunning geological formations such as the Peleta Sinkhole and the Propantes pothole (vertical cave).

[edit] External links

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*Municipalities and communities* of the Arcadia Prefecture**
Apollonas • Dimitsana • Falanthos • Falaisia • Gortyna • Iraia • Kleitor • Kontovazaina • Korythio • Lagkadia • Leonidio • Levidi • Mantineia • Megalopoli • North Kynouria • Skyritida • Tegea • Trikolonoi • Tripoli • Tropaia • Valtetsi • Vytina
Kosmas