Katakolo
| Katakolo Κατάκολο | |
|---|---|
 Port of Katakolo | |
| Location | |
  Katakolo | |
| Coordinates | 37°39′N 21°19′E / 37.650°N 21.317°ECoordinates: 37°39′N 21°19′E / 37.650°N 21.317°E |
| Government | |
| Country: | Greece |
| Administrative region: | West Greece |
| Regional unit: | Elis |
| Municipality: | Pyrgos |
| Municipal unit: | Pyrgos |
| Population statistics (as of 2001)[1] | |
| Community | |
| - Population: | 601 |
| Other | |
| Time zone: | EET/EEST (UTC+2/3) |
Katakolo (Greek: Κατάκολο) is a seaside town in the municipality of Pyrgos in western Elis, Greece. It is situated on a headland overlooking the Ionian Sea and separating the Gulf of Kyparissia from the rest of the Ionian. It is 11 km west of downtown Pyrgos. The small village of Agios Andreas lies northwest of Katakolo. A railway connects Katakolo with Pyrgos and Olympia, but along with the rest of the rail network in the Peloponnese, services have been suspended since 2011 for economic reasons.
History
In the Middle Ages, Katakolo was the site of the fortress of Pontikon (Ποντικόν)—called Pontikokastro (Ποντικόκαστρο) by early modern writers—which the Frankish rulers of the Principality of Achaea called Beauvoir in French, Belveder in Italian and Bellovidere or Pulchrumvidere in Latin.[2] The fortress was built by the Byzantines and taken over by the Franks ca. 1205.[3] It originally formed part of the princely domain of Achaea, and along with the fortress and princely mint of Clarentia it was one of the two major sites from which Elis was governed.[4] Beauvoir was granted in 1289 to Hugh, Count of Brienne, in exchange for his half of the Barony of Karytaina, but Hugh soon exchanged it with John Chauderon for lands in Conversano. By 1303, however, it had returned to direct princely control.[5] During Ferdinand of Majorca's attempt to seize the Principality in 1315–16, Beauvoir was captured and held by his forces until after his defeat and death in the Battle of Manolada.[6] Beauvoir ceased to play an important role thereafter, and is scarcely mentioned in the subsequent periods of Ottoman and Venetian rule.[7]
Visitor attractions
The port of Katakolo is a popular stop for cruise ships, offering an opportunity for passengers to visit the site of Ancient Olympia. Low hills with forests surround Katakolo. The lighthouse of Katakolo was built in 1865. One of the most important sites of Katakolo is the Museum of Ancient Greek Technology.
The remains of the medieval Pontikokastro/Beauvoir castle still stand on a hilltop northeast of the modern port, but the castle is mostly ruined and its original appearance can only be surmised.[8]
Historical population
| Year | Population of Katakolo |
|---|---|
| 1991 | 594 |
| 2001 | 601 |
| 2011 | 513 |
Persons
- Yiannis Latsis (1910–2003) shipping tycoon
Gallery
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The main street
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Cruise Ship Costa Fortuna in Katakolo - April 2009
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View of harbour
External links
See also
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Katakolo. |
References
- ↑ De Facto Population of Greece Population and Housing Census of March 18th, 2001 (PDF 793 KB). National Statistical Service of Greece. 2003.
- ↑ Bon, Antoine (1969). La Morée franque. Recherches historiques, topographiques et archéologiques sur la principauté d’Achaïe (in French). Paris: De Boccard. pp. 328–330.
- ↑ Bon, Antoine (1969). La Morée franque. Recherches historiques, topographiques et archéologiques sur la principauté d’Achaïe (in French). Paris: De Boccard. pp. 66, 663.
- ↑ Bon, Antoine (1969). La Morée franque. Recherches historiques, topographiques et archéologiques sur la principauté d’Achaïe (in French). Paris: De Boccard. pp. 87, 104, 330.
- ↑ Bon, Antoine (1969). La Morée franque. Recherches historiques, topographiques et archéologiques sur la principauté d’Achaïe (in French). Paris: De Boccard. pp. 161, 164, 330.
- ↑ Bon, Antoine (1969). La Morée franque. Recherches historiques, topographiques et archéologiques sur la principauté d’Achaïe (in French). Paris: De Boccard. pp. 192–193.
- ↑ Bon, Antoine (1969). La Morée franque. Recherches historiques, topographiques et archéologiques sur la principauté d’Achaïe (in French). Paris: De Boccard. p. 330.
- ↑ Bon, Antoine (1969). La Morée franque. Recherches historiques, topographiques et archéologiques sur la principauté d’Achaïe (in French). Paris: De Boccard. pp. 663–665.
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