Akovos

Akovos Άκοβος
Akovos
Location within the region
Coordinates: 37°11′N 22°10′E / 37.183°N 22.167°E / 37.183; 22.167Coordinates: 37°11′N 22°10′E / 37.183°N 22.167°E / 37.183; 22.167
Country	Greece
Administrative region	Peloponnese
Regional unit	Arcadia
Municipality	Megalopoli
Municipal unit	Falaisia
Time zone	EET (UTC+2)
• Summer (DST)	EEST (UTC+3)

Akovos (Greek: Άκοβος) is a mountain village and a community in the municipal unit of Falaisia, southwestern Arcadia, Greece. It is situated in the northern foothills of the Taygetus mountains. It is 4 km west of Dyrrachio, 4 km northeast of Poliani (Messenia), 15 km south of Leontari and 23 km south of Megalopoli. In 2001 its population was 246 for the village, and 264 for the community, which includes the village Goupata.

Population

Festivities

Akobos has as many as 17 little churches around the village, and organizes many religious festivals.

1)The festival of Saint George Westwards and opposite from the village in distance of 3 kilometers roughly, we meet the church of Ag. George, where is realized the big festival of village on 23 April or the second day of Easter. The old church was demolished and an imposing chapel of Byzantine rhythm was built. The Saint George is considered by the old years the protector of village and the homonym festival assembles crowd of world from the around region. In the big grounds of church has been manufactured shelter for the pilgrims. Also in the same space exists slaughterhouse where becomes the sacrifice of ox, the from Ottoman domination custom of "KOYRMPANI" as well as a bookshop where become the preparation and the distribution of meat to the foreigner visitors. hundred years old trees which grow around the church supplement the beautiful landscape and offer shadow to the pilgrims. The legend says that this old custom dates back to the 1600 century and that only foreigners are allowed to eat the meat of the sacrificed ox. Legend also reports the ill fate of those who have ignored the warning. This ritual is kept until this day.

2)The festival of Virgin Mary Under in the plain of village through big trees appears the church of Virgin Mary. Is a small chapel that celebrates the Death of Virgin Mary on 15 August. A lot of pilgrims assembled assemble each year in order to pray, not only from the Akovos village but also from Kalamata and from Athens. Is considered the second bigger festival after that of Saint George.

3)The festival of the Trinity Church Near in the chapel of Virgin Mary exists the church of Saint Trinity which celebrates at Pentikosti (40 days after Easter). In the old days in the same place existed an older chapel which was demolished and rebuilt to the beautiful and imposing chapel that we see today. Around the church is a square with Trees and in this space has been manufactured permanent shelter with tables and seats where each year in the feast is offered (boiled goat, village bread, cheese mizithra and wine). All these are realised every year through offers of religious patriots and personal work of members of Cultural Association of Akovos. Afterwards the dinner follows traditional dances with music.

4)The festival of Saint Paraskevi At the peak of historical mountain of Drambala or trapezoraxi, is the church of Saint Friday (Paraskevi). In the old days existed there a graphic chapel that at the duration of heroic battle of Drambala in 1825 against Ibrahim was used as off-hand hospital. The new chapel is a beautifully Byzantine church. In the memory of the Saint, on 26 July, roasted piglets is offered to all pilgrims.

See also

• List of settlements in Arcadia

External links

• Official Site of the Akobitian Association for Athens-Pireaus with loads of information and pictures.
• History and Information about Akovos
• Akovos GTP Travel Pages

References