Kastania, Laconia
Kastania (Greek: Καστανιά) is a village in Mesa Mani of Laconia, Greece. It was part of the municipal unit East Mani, were included Sminos in 2010.[1]
Kastania Καστανιά | |
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![]() ![]() Kastania | |
Coordinates: 36.842°N 22.400°E | |
Country | ![]() |
Region | Peloponnese |
Regional unit | Laconia |
Municipality | East Mani |
Population (2011) | |
• Total | 46 |
Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC+3 (EEST) |
Geography
Kastania is 28 km northwestern of Gytheio at the southeastern slopes of mount Taygetos. The village is also named locally Kastanitza (Greek: Καστανίτζα) or Mikri Kastania (Greek: Μικρή Καστανιά).[2] Within the village is the historic Church of the Metamorphosis. At the village entrance is an impressive war memorial. A short distance below the village is the early Christian chapel of Ayios Stratiyas. Overlooking the village from its mountainous perch is the impressive Monastery of Panayia Yiatrissa.
History
In 1770, after the Orlov Revolt failed, the Ottomans wanted to punish the Klephts for their support of it. In siege of Kastania, the Ottoman commander Ali Bey sieged the two Maniot pyrgoi (fighting towers) which belonged to the Venetsanakis clan.[2] With them was the father of the hero of the Greek War of Independence, Theodoros Kolokotronis, Konstantinos Kolokotronis and his wife who was pregnant with his son. Ali Bey laid siege to the pyrgoi. After holding out for three days the defenders burst out of the pyrgoi's doors and charged the Ottomans. Only a few cut through the Ottoman lines. Amongst them was Kolokotronis' wife dressed as a man.
References
- EETAA local government changes Archived 2016-11-16 at the Wayback Machine
- Castle of Venetsenakis in www.kastra.eu