Iraia

Iraia
Ηραία
Iraia

Coordinates: 37°37′N 21°57′E / 37.617°N 21.950°ECoordinates: 37°37′N 21°57′E / 37.617°N 21.950°E
Country Greece
Administrative region Peloponnese
Regional unit Arcadia
Municipality Gortynia
Population (2001)[1]
  Municipal unit 3,063
Time zone EET (UTC+2)
  Summer (DST) EEST (UTC+3)
Vehicle registration TP

Iraia (Greek: Ηραία) is a former municipality in Arcadia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it became a municipal unit of the municipality of Gortynia.[2] It consists of 27 villages. Population 3,063 (2001). The seat of the municipality was in Paloumpa. The municipality is named after the ancient Arcadian city of Heraia. The region was known in recent times for the construction workers (mastori) who came from the villages of Servos and Lyssarea. Pausanias describes the ancient cities of Heraia and Melaineai and their buildings.[3] An excavation near Lyssarea uncovered buildings, mosaics, as well as gold and silver coins.

Notable people

The village of Loutra Iraias is the birthplace of the film-maker Constantinos Gavras (Costa-Gavras).

External links

References

  1. De Facto Population of Greece Population and Housing Census of March 18th, 2001 (PDF 39 MB). National Statistical Service of Greece. 2003.
  2. Kallikratis law Greece Ministry of Interior (Greek)
  3. Pausanias Description of Greece 8.26