Leonidio (, Katharevousa: Λεωνίδιον, Tsakonian: Αγιελήδι) is a town and a former municipality in Arcadia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality South Kynouria, of which it is a municipal unit.
Name
In the local Tsakonian language, the only surviving descendant of
Doric Greek, the town is called
Agie Lidi.
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Landscape
The town of Leonidio, with a population of 3,826, 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 4 km from the town. It functions mainly with the help of tourism, but a small fishing fleet is also to be found; a well-regarded beach lies 4 km 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
looting by the
Athens during the Peloponnesian War.
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. Greek comedy writer Dimitrios Psathas once recommended the virtues of passing: "..carnival in
Patras, and Easters in Leonidio".
In latter years it has become a well known tourist destination for rock climbing.
Geography
Leonidio is situated on the eastern coast of the
Peloponnese and, although coastal, opening on to the Myrtoan Sea, it is also mainly mountainous, punctuated by the
Parnon. Leonidio town itself, however, is to be found on the area's plain, which proves fertile and very important for the local economy, with its high level of agricultural employment. Apart from citrus fruit, pears, 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. Three old windmills overlook the town.
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 communities take in the following: Leonidio, Vaskina, Agios Vasileios, Kosmas, Kounoupia, Mari, Paliochori, Paliochora, Peleta, Pigadi, Platanaki,
Poulithra, Pragmatefti, Tsitalia, and Vlisidia.
See also
-
List of settlements in Arcadia
-
List of traditional settlements of Greece
External links
