Krokees
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Krokees (Greek: Κροκεές) is a municipality in Laconia, Greece. Population 2,824 (2001).
[edit] History
The town Krokees or Levetsova or Krokeai as it used to be called, is a small town located south of Sparta between the mountains of Taygetos and Parnon of Laconia the most southern prefecture of the Peloponnese and mainland Greece. In ancient times (Bronze age), Krokees was inhabited by the Achaean and Pelasgian tribes. Later around 1100 BC, along with the rest of Laconia, the town was taken over by the Dorians.
In antiquity, Krokees was famous for its beautiful forest green Volcanic stone with green and golden spots (Porphyry) known as "Krokeatis Lithos" (Krokean stone). This stone, an image of which we used to create our front web page, is unique to the area of "Psiphi" of Krokees. Although this stone is very difficult to work with and shape, it was widely used for decorating wealthy homes and for creating beautiful pots and vases. It was also used to decorate public bathhouses such as the ones in Corinth, the Church of St. Sophia in Constantinople and the Church of St. Paul in the Vatican. The simple tomb of the 300 Spartans in Thermopylae is also made with our unique Krokean stone. Dioskouri (The son's of Dias or Zeus) were the Gods/protectors of the ancient town of Krokeai. A marble plaque of Dioskouri, which was excavated in recent times, adorns the fountain in the central square of the town. The modern town of Krokees has approximately 1200 inhabitants. In the early 50s its population was over 3000 souls. Its people are distinguished by their progressive lifestyles and cultural activities .The town has elementary, middle and high schools, a Philharmonic (Marching Band), its own Newspaper "The Krokees" and the periodical "Deikilon", a magazine on the arts & theater of Laconia.
The town has many cultural organizations and the soccer team "Krokeatikos" which is one of the oldest in Laconia. Krokees is famous for its Extra virgin Olive Oil produced by its Agricultural Cooperative. The "Krokees Lakonias" low acidity and of exceptional taste olive oil is a protected European Union brand and is recognized as one of the best quality olive oils in the world. The annual Karnavali (Mardi-gras), which started in 1962, is well known to all of Hellas (Greece). Many professionals, scientists and artists have sprung out of this little town, among them the famous Greek poet Nikiforos Vrettakos. During the 20th century, many Krokeates (Krokeans, Levetsovites) moved to Athens, however many more, like so many other Greeks immigrated mainly to the United States, Canada and Australia. But all of these immigrants, as if they had never left, never stopped being concerned about the future of Krokees and they continue to help economically, and in so many other ways their birthplace and ancestral town.
As our poet wrote about the immigrants, there in their new countries "they build Islands of Hellenism, which stand out by their one point,...their Illumination".
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