Katakolon wine tasting week

TRAINOSE, wanting to strengthen alternative forms of tourism, to highlight the role of the train as an integral part of local and regional cultural activity and to focus on the promotion of products of the Greek land organized, in collaboration with Olympia Development AE and with the local authorities of Ilia, a wine tasting event.

The event involves the main wineries of the Prefecture: MERCOURI WINERY, BRINTZIKI ESTATE, STAVROPOULOU ESTATE, OLYMPIA LAND ESTATE, MARKOGIANNI WINERY

From 4 to 9 September, on the train-route Katakolon – Olympia, passengers will be able to try the famous wines of wine makers in the region, accompanied by local delicacies free of charge. Moreover, at specially designed areas at the port of Katakolon and the station of Ancient Olympia, wines which will be exhibited by producers will be offered for testing and flyers for the production of wine in the prefecture of Ilia will be distributed. The event will be accompanied by a photo exhibition on the history of the railroad of Pyrgos – Katakolo – Olympia.

With this event, TRAINOSE and local agencies will target cruise ship passengers who use the train to visit Ancient Olympia, but also all rail passengers in a joint initiative for the promotion of the quality local products and tourism development.

A few words on the history:

The construction of the first railway line in the Peloponnese began in the late 19th century under the railway development plan of Charilaos Trikoupis. The steam railway of Pyrgos – Katakolon whistled for the first time in Pyrgos in November 1882, covering the increasing transportation needs for Greek currant trade abroad. Katakolon Station, which was located on the harbour, celebrated the arrival of the first train carrying the currant harvest every year.

Today, in the 21st century, the contribution of the train to the development of the local community has changed character. Modern diesel trains of the line Katakolon- Olympia serve local passengers, but especially the traveling public on tourist cruise ships arriving in Katakolon, giving them the opportunity to visit Olympia and Pyrgos.