Katakolo

Katakolo
Κατάκολο
Promenade of Katakolo
Katakolo
Coordinates: 37°39′N 21°19′E / 37.650°N 21.317°E / 37.650; 21.317Coordinates: 37°39′N 21°19′E / 37.650°N 21.317°E / 37.650; 21.317
Country Greece
Administrative region West Greece
Regional unit Elis
Municipality Pyrgos
Municipal unit Pyrgos
Community[1]
 • Population 513 (2011)
Time zone UTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST) UTC+3 (EEST)

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 Pyrgos. The small village of Agios Andreas, which in ancient times was the natural harbour for Ancient Olympia, lies northwest of Katakolo. A railway connects Katakolo with Pyrgos and Olympia.[2].

History

In the Middle Ages, Katakolo was the site of the fortress of Pontikon or Pontikokastro (Ποντικόν, Ποντικόκαστρο), which the Frankish rulers of the Principality of Achaea called Beauvoir or Belveder.[3] The fortress was built by the Byzantines and taken over by the Franks ca. 1205.[4]

Visitor attractions

The port of Katakolo is a popular stop for cruise ships, offering an opportunity for passengers to visit the site of Olympia. Low hills with forests surround Katakolo. Visitors here have the opportunity to visit the ancient port of Olympia, the sunken ancient city of Pheia. Ancient Pheia was on the other side of the mountain of Ichthys, now Agios Andreas, within walking distance of Katakolo port. The lighthouse of Katakolo was built in 1865. One of the most important sites of Katakolo is the Museum of Ancient Greek Technology.

In 2017 a Greek and Worldwide Mythology Park (exhibition) was established, situated in Katakolo square, where you can see mythical monsters like Cerberus, Minotaurus, Chimaera and Centaur, and it has the form of a labyrinth.

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.[5]

Historical population

YearPopulation of Katakolo
1991594
2001601
2011513

People

  • Yiannis Latsis (1910–2003) shipping tycoon
  • Magic Mizrahi (1983-) Sanga Carlos Cantounis, John Kampiotis, John Panierakis music producers in the Israeli & Brazilian psy-trance music industry.
  • Pavlos Haikalis (1949-) actor and member of parliament

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Απογραφή Πληθυσμού - Κατοικιών 2011. ΜΟΝΙΜΟΣ Πληθυσμός" (in Greek). Hellenic Statistical Authority.
  2. ↑ TrainOSE, accessed 10 October 2016
  3. ↑ Bon 1969, pp. 328–330.
  4. ↑ Bon 1969, pp. 66, 663.
  5. ↑ Bon 1969, pp. 663–665.

Sources

  • Bon, Antoine (1969). La Morée franque. Recherches historiques, topographiques et archéologiques sur la principauté d’Achaïe (in French). Paris: De Boccard.
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