Kranidi

Kranidi Κρανίδι
Kranidi
Location within the regional unit
Coordinates: 37°23′N 23°10′E / 37.383°N 23.167°E / 37.383; 23.167Coordinates: 37°23′N 23°10′E / 37.383°N 23.167°E / 37.383; 23.167
Country	Greece
Administrative region	Peloponnese
Regional unit	Argolis
Municipality	Ermionida
Elevation	92 m (302 ft)
Population (2011)[1]
• Municipal unit	9,452
Time zone	EET (UTC+2)
• Summer (DST)	EEST (UTC+3)
Postal code	213 00
Area code(s)	27540
Vehicle registration	AP

Kranidi (Greek: Κρανίδι, Katharevousa: Κρανίδιον) is a town and a former municipality in Argolis, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Ermionida, of which it is the seat and a municipal unit.^[2] Some say the name is derived from the word Koronida, while others claim it is from the word Kranaos, which means "rocky trough". It is situated in the eastern part of Argolis, on the easternmost "finger" of the Peloponnese peninsula. It is 8 km west of Ermioni, 28 km south of Epidaurus and 38 km southeast of Nafplio.

Kranidi is known for being the location of second homes of several prominent celebrities, including the Dutch royal couple king Willem-Alexander and queen Máxima.

Geography

Doroufi beach.

The area around Kranidi consists of low hills, covered with olive groves and small forests. The town itself is about 4 km from the coast. Several villages of the municipal unit Kranidi are on the Aegean Sea coast, including Koilada, Portocheli and the small beach settlement Doroufi.

History

Inside the church of Agios Prodromos.

The place of Kranidi was inhabited thousand years ago. Very close to town is located the Phrancthi Cave that was the dwelling of prehistoric man. During Homeric era, in this place there were two cities, Hermion in place of modern Ermioni and Masis in place of modern village Koilada. In classical era a few kilometers southern, the city Halieis was built, in place of modern Porto Heli. Kranidi is firstly mentioned in 16th century after the Turkish name Kato Nahagie that means Low Province.^[3] Kranidi was one of the centers of the Greek uprising of 1777. After the failure of the rebellion however, many locals abandoned the area in order to avoid persecution by the Muslim Ottomans. Many of them sought refuge away from the Peloponnese, in Europe and Russia. Many also migrated to Cyprus. The modern name derives either from ancient Greek name Kranaos or from the name of nearby islet Koronida.^[3] This name was corrupted to Kranida and after Kranidi. The residents of Kranidi took part in Greek War of Independence. Local guerilla was the priest Arsenios Krestas. In 1823, before breaking the first Greek Civil War, Kranidi became the seat of the Legislature part of Greek Government.^[4] After the independence Kranidi was appointed the seat of Ermionida province. Nowadays Kranidi is a flourishing small town with a rich nautical tradition and developed touristic services.

Historical population

References

	Asini	Epidavros	Troizina
	Argolic Gulf		Ermioni
	Kranidi
			Aegean Sea