Molaoi () is a town and a former municipality in Laconia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Monemvasia, of which it is the seat and a municipal unit.
History
The name of the village derived from the Latin word Mola (mill). Mola was mentioned for first time in the Treaty of Sapienza (1209). The current name Molaoi was mentioned during 15th century. During late medieval and early
Ottoman Greece, Molaoi remained a small village, overshadowed by nearby
Monemvasia. Molaoi was destroyed during the
Orlov Revolt. Many inhabitants of Kandila bearing the name "Antonakos" () migrated to Koldere, near
Manisa (ad Sipylum), where they arrived in 1777.
[ H καταγωγή των Κολτεριωτών της Σμύρνης – Του Μωυσιάδη Παναγιώτη e-ptolemeos.gr ] The village was destroyed again by Ibrahim in 1825, during the Greek War of Independence. After Greek independence was achieved, Molaoi increased its population, receiving residents from
Monemvasia,
Crete,
Mani peninsula and nearby villages. It then evolved into a local administrative centre.
Historical population
External links
