Everything about Leonidio totally explained
Leonidio is a municipality in
Arcadia,
Greece, with a population of 6,294 (2001).
Landscape
Leonidio, with a population of 6,294 (according to the 2001 census), emerges from a spectacular landscape, bound by two abrupt mountainsides enclosing the town from the north and south. The River
Dafnon passes through the town, and its banks are linked with three bridges. The town is capital of the
Tsakonia region, notable for its cultural and
linguistic particularities, and the settlement itself offers striking and picturesque architecture; now a protected architectural site, there are very strict regulations for building within the town's limits.
Plaka
Plaka is the picturesque port of Leonidio, situated 4km from the town. It functions mainly with the help of tourism (gas and water are supplied), but a small fishing fleet is also to be found; a well-regarded beach lies 4km across the shore. The port takes in a number of taverns and bars immediately adjacent to the sea, while every August, it also hosts the "Tsakonian
Eggplant Festival", attracting well-known chefs from across
Europe and achieving ever-growing popularity.
History
Leonidio is situated near the ancient city of
Prasiae, which was an important harbour for
Sparta until its
ruin by the
Athenians during the
Peloponnesian War. The ancient Greek traveller
Pausanias describes the area as the "garden of
Dionysus", because of the fertility of its plain, and in ancient myth the young Dionysus was found on its beach and later brought up in a cave emerging from it. There is also a second variant of the story, influenced by Christian tradition, recounting the finding of the relics of
Saint Leonides atop the beach of Leonidio, where a church was to be built in his honour, remaining to this day; this is a common suggestion for the derivation of the area's name. During the
Middle Ages, Leonidio found itself used only as a winter refuge for the inhabitants of Prastos, the former capital of
Tsakonia. When Prastos was burned to the ground by
Ibrahim Pasha during the
Greek Revolution, however, its refugees found shelter in Leonidio, protected by the morphology of the landscape. In ensuing years the town flourished and thrived, counting among its residents wealthy merchants and seamen, closely associated with
Constantinople and
Odessa; during this period beautiful neo-classical house and tower house structures were built within its limits, including the "Tsikaliotis Tower". On
January 21 1949, a major battle of the
Greek civil war took place here.
Modern Era
Today, Leonidio is a lively and colourful town, especially in summer months, as a result of newly developing tourism. Agriculture, nevertheless, remains a main source of income for its residents, and the benefits of the exploitation of the plain are irreplaceable. The town is also famous for its unusual
Easter celebration, when the custom of aerostata ("air balloons") attracts spectators; the well-known Greek comedy writer Dimitrios Psathas once recommended the virtues of passing: "..carnival in
Patras, and Easters in Leonidio".
Geography
The municipality is situated on the eastern coast of the
Peloponnese and, although coastal, opening on to the Myrtoon Sea, it's also mainly mountainous, punctuated by the
Parnon. Leonidio town itself, however, is to be found on the areas's plain, which proves fertile and very important for the local economy, with its high level of agricultural employment. Apart from citrus fruit, tomatoes and olives, the area's most famous and widely-distributed product is the Tsakonian eggplant, characteristic in its sweet taste, and acknowledged and protected by the
European Union.
Geology
Thanks to its position on the mountain of
Parnon, the Leonidio municipality is home to a number of stunning
geological formations, such as the
Peleta Sinkhole, and the
Propantes pothole (a vertical
cave).
Demographics
Newly developing tourism is also a vital part of the area, with its scenic, clean beaches and breathtaking mountain scenery. Notably, the area is part of
Tsakonia, and the
Tsakonian language is still spoken in some areas. Its municipal departments take in the following: Leonidio, Ag. Vasilis, Kounoupia, Mari, Paliohori, Peleta, Pigadi, Platanaki, Poulithra, Pragmatefti, Tsitalia, and Vlisidia.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Leonidio'.
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