Tag Archives: katakolon

Olympia Tours by Locals

11 Sunday Jun 2017

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Meeting Elena turned out to be incredibly enlightening and entertaining at the same time. As a certified tour guide and archaeologist, no one knows more about Olympia than her. She tells thought-provoking stories and is most passionate about her job.

 

aggeli-elena

Meet Elena

Hi, I’m Elena Aggeli. I was born in Athens, the capital of Greece, and moved to the area about 12 years ago. After finishing my studies in Greek Archaeology at the University of Giannina, I enrolled in the Public School of Tourist Guides. I speak fluent English, Spanish and Greek and or more than a decade, I have spent my time on archaeological research and tourism.

What is your job?

I work as a certified tour guide here in the Olympia region all year round and have the pleasure of presenting this incredible place to foreigners and locals alike. I provide visitors with all the necessary guidelines and help them plan their travel itinerary according to their needs and preferences.

How would you describe Olympia?

In Greece, we have a saying, “Up on Mount Olympus, the Gods used to live. And down here in Olympia, the Gods used to play”. So, welcome to the playground of the Gods, welcome to Olympia – the birthplace of the Olympics!

ancient_olympic_stadium

Where do you live?

I live in Pyrgos, a small town about 18 kilometers from Olympia. Pyrgos is also 13 kilometers from Katakolon Port where major cruise ships dock in order to visit the Archaeological Site and Museum in Olympia, and not only.

What do you love most about your work?

That I have the good fortune to live and work in place of unique natural beauty. A place that, although in ruins, still remains alive through its Olympic spirit which unites the peoples and urges us to come together in world peace.

Elena_olympia_guide_and_kids

Where do you go on your day off?

The ultimate locations for me are the local beaches, the unknown side of the area. When we think of Olympia, we tend to think about ancient sites and museums. However, the region offers a combination of both ruins and a spectacular endless coastline of sandy and rocky beaches and isolated coves.

Olympia_tours

What is the difference between a certified guide and a guide who is not certified?

Here in Greece, you need to be a university degree holder in History/Archaeology/Arts and then attend a 2-month seminar for tour guides in order to become certified. Only certified tour guides, or tourist guides, by the Greek Ministry of Tourism may conduct tours within archaeological sites and museums. We, as licensed guides, can be recognized by the badge we have to wear when on duty.

Can you name a few reasons why someone should book a certified guide?

Travelers have access to things that they would not be aware of otherwise. They learn about culture in-depth from an insider. They also have the flexibility to change their travel plans and to set up priorities. They can cover more places, especially when the have very little time, as is the case for cruisers. Tour guides know the ins-and-outs away from crowded places. And these are just to name a few!

ancient_olympia_kids

Uncover the past and present with a local. Discover the world of Olympia with Elena, the Olympia insider!

 

 

Ktima Kantri

02 Sunday Aug 2015

Posted by in Katakolon restaurants, Katakolon tavernas, Leventochori

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ktima-kantri-leventochoriKantris is the last name of the owner of this traditional Greek taverna. It is a suitable name since the tavern is situated in the “kantriside” (countryside) surrounding the picturesque village of Leventochori, near Katakolon.

Experience Greek hospitality in this shady ranch-like looking Greek taverna. Open all day, Ktima Kantri is the perfect place to enjoy the owner’s catch of the day after a long day or night in the sea, since Petros, the owner, delivers his “catch of the day” daily. If you are not a “fish person”, apart from grilled fish, Petros’ wife Giota will spoil your taste buds with grilled meat of outstanding quality, Greek pies and homemade bread.

All fruits, vegetables and salads served are grown by the family in their vegetable garden.

Leventochori (Greek: Λεβεντοχώρι) is a village in the municipality of Pyrgos,Elis, Greece. It is located near the Ionian Sea, at the foot of a low hill. It is 1 km south of Skafidia, 3 km west of Skourochori, 4 km northeast of Katakolo and 10 km west of Pyrgos town centre.

Leventochori is a picturesque village with small tavernas and a beautiful sandy beach approx. 500 m from the village.

The name of the village was given, according to oral tradition, the following way: the first settlement (even before the village) was created by two families. When the question of the name of the settlement arose, which had now expanded, conflict was created between the two families, and each claimed their surname to be given. The solution was finally presented by a passerby hosted by an old woman, who with the spirit of compromise suggested they not give a specific name, as both families had this in common, they were open, hospitable and brave, and to name it “Leventochori” (village of the brave lads).

Ancient Platiana (Tipaneai or Aipy)

21 Sunday Sep 2014

Posted by in Ancient Aipy, ancient Greek sites, Ancient Tipaneai

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Ancient Platiana (Tipaneai or Aipy)

(37.57 km – approx. 45 mins from Katakolon)

The remains of the ancient city (Tipaneai or Aipy) are located on a hill of the Lapitha Mountain, South of the village called Platiana (district of Olympia). This fortified, oblong city (max length: 600m, width: 200 m) is surrounded my walls, which probably date to the 4th or 3rd century BC and are preserved in quite good condition (reaching 5m in height in some places). Three large gates are set in the North-West, South-West and East side of the walls-the latter being the main gate. There are also several square or trapezoidal defensive towers. The walls are built of large blocks in polygonal masonry.

ancient Tipaneai or ancient Aipy

Ancient Platiana

One of the terraces is occupied by the theatre, whose stage-building and cavea are partially preserved. On the other terraces one can see: a) the “Acropolis”, b) the “Agora” with a large cistern carved in the natural limestone rock, c) the retaining wall of the “Temple”. In the East part of the city are the foundations of several different buildings, which may be houses of distinguished persons of the city.

plan ancient platiana

General plan

Systematic works at the acropolis were conducted during 2002-2003 by the 7th Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities.

Ancient Samia (Kato Samiko)

14 Sunday Sep 2014

Posted by in ancient Greek sites, Ancient Samia

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Ancient Samia (Kato Samiko)

(38.15 km – approx. 35 mins from Katakolon)

 

The acropolis of ancient Samia (Kato Samiko) is probably located on the westernmost offshoot of the Eleian mountain Minthe, called Lapitha. The acropolis was founded at the end of the 5th century BC and was inhabited until the Roman period. During the 2nd century AD, the traveler Pausanias saw it destroyed.

Kato Samiko

The acropolis of ancient Samia

Its walls, which have the form of an irregular trapezium and constitute a typical example of pseudo-polygonal masonry, have a length of 1500 metres. Four small gates are set in the walls, while large rectangular towers are located on their outer side (max. preserved height: approx. 5m).

The remains of many buildings can be found inside the acropolis. In recent times a large oblong construction, whose roof was supported by columns, has been discovered. This was probably a public building. There are also several large cisterns for water supply.

This site is considered as one of the most important cities of ancient Triphylia. Samia occupied an important strategic position because it controlled the narrow coastal passage from Eleia towards Triphylia and Messenia. It took actively part in the struggle of the Triphylian cities for independence from the domination of the Eleians. In 244 BC, however, the Aitolian Polysperchon occupied the city and used it as a base of operations, in order to separate the Triphylian cities from the Arcadians and to concede them to his allies, the Eleians.

Kato Samiko

Ancient Samia

Systematic works at the acropolis were conducted during 2002-2003 by the 7th Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Atiquities.

The Archimedes’ Museum

08 Monday Sep 2014

Posted by in ancient olympia, museums

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Ancient Olympia

Archimedes’ Museum

The Archimedes’ museum in Ancient Olympia

The Archimedes’ museum is permanently hosted in a two-storey building in the center of the city of Ancient Olympia. The Archimedes’ Museum is of the most unique thematic museums in Greece and is dedicated to the great Mathematician, Physicist, Engineer, Astronomer and Inventor in ancient Greece and a genius of the technology of his time. Archimedes passed on great theses of all the ancient sciences and, above all, he became the springboard for the development of modern science. Some of his inventions are in use even today. It is known that Archimedes inspired Da Vinci and even influenced Galileo and Newton.

In the field of mathematics, he invented the infinitesimals and the method of exhaustion, which are the modern Differential and Integral calculus, a numbering system for measuring very large sizes which is similar to the modern exponential – logarithmic system and (without taking into account the recent retrievals from the famous “palimpsest”) he had a “modern” perception of combinatorics and actual infinity that made Leibniz quote, “He who understands Archimedes … will admire less the achievements of the foremost men of later times”.

Similarly, in the field of mechanics, the hydraulic screw, the accurate mechanical planetarium, the winch with gears and endless screw, the dioptra, the odometer, the nautical odometer, the mechanical and the hydraulic paradox, the means to check the purity of gold, the density meter, burning using mirrors, the Roman scale, the giant cranes and the powerful war machines are some of his 24 inventions that are exhibited on the ground floor of the Museum. Located in the central hall is the famous Antikythera mechanism, which recent research has shown indirect fatherhood of the Syracusian man. Also, 24 exceptional inventions from the time of Archimedes, such as the “cinema” and the “robot – servant” of Philon, the most accurate automatic clock, the “hydraulis”, the twin suction force piston pump of Ktesibios, the repeating catapult of Dionysios and more, are exhibited on the first floor of the museum.

The aim of the Archimedes’ museum is to feature, in absolute validity and reliability, this unknown perspective of that great wise man of antiquity and to prove that the technology of the Ancient Greeks during the 3rd century B.C. was shockingly similar to the beginning of our modern technology.

The bolts and nuts, gears and rules, pulleys and belts, sprockets and roller chains, hydraulic controllers and valves, programmers and auto-pilots (which are also parts of the motor in a contemporary automobile), are just some of the inventions of the ancient Greeks which were the foundations of their complex technology. These legacies, identical and irreplaceable, continue today to constitute the building blocks of our modern technology, the development of which would be doubtful without its effortless and undemanding adoption. Only after a millennium of maturation was humanity able to “recover” this remarkable forgotten technology. The exploration of this age, when ownership for peak technology was not claimed, demonstrates, without a doubt, how much more (than we think) the modern Western Technological Civilization owes the Greeks.

The exhibits are accompanied by rich audio-visual material (in Greek and English), such as explanatory labels and giant posters with information, detailed diagrams, photos and complete bibliographical references, while many of the exhibits are interactive. There are projecting stations with video and animation as well as documentaries in which the exhibitor explains the function and the use of the mechanisms. The exhibition (in thematic sections) follows the modern educational perception in Pedagogic and Museum Education so that it acts multileveled, as far as the greatness of ancient Greek technological thought and technique is concerned, in all levels of the educational community and the wider public.

 

Ancient Pheia (the submerged city) & Pontikokastro

06 Saturday Sep 2014

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Agios Andreas

(1.98 km – approx. 4 mins from Katakolon)

Ancient Pheia (the submerged city) and Pontikokastro

In the bay of Agios Andreas are the remains of Ancient Pheia, which was an important harbor for ancient Olympia. Pheia was partially sucked into the sea by the earthquake that overthrew the Temple of Zeus at Olympia in the 6th century AD. Remains from the wall of Pheia can be traced under water, which were explored by several archaeologists in the 1970’s. Unfortunately, it is not allowed to dive here since there are so many antiquities. (Pheia is not the only submerged ancient city in Greece. In the southern part of the Peloponnese, there are at least 2 more prehistoric settlements (Pavlopetri and one near Methoni) that were sunk into the sea. There are actual plans to turn these submerged cities into underwater archaeological parks. Greece’s underwater wealth was first shown in the 1957 movie “Boy on a Dolphin” with Sophia Loren.)

Immortalized in dozens of works of fiction, the Peloponnesian War took place in the fifth century B.C. between the city-state of Athens and various armies of the Peloponnese, who called themselves the Peloponnesian League. The war lasted nearly 30 years, raging across the Aegean Sea and the northern Mediterranean. One of the cities involved in the war was Pheia, which was conquered by the Athenians and turned into a shipping headquarters for its military supply line.

Near the close of the fifth century, the area along the western coast of Greece was shaken by an earthquake that plunged the city of Pheia five meters (16 ft) below the surface of the Mediterranean. The city was lost until 1911, when an excavation team found the ancient civilization. Since then, numerous archaeologists have studied the city. Despite the global interest in the Pheia ruins, we still don’t know much about this important fragment of history.

continue reading…

Ancient Pheia (Fouache and Dalongeville, 1998), which is now completely under water, situated in the Bay of Aghios Andreas, on the northern side of the cape of Katakolon in Ilia, was the port of Olympia during Greek and Roman times. It is a good example of the high tectonic activity at the front of the Aegean Arc. At the bottom of the bay a fossil beachrock and a fossil notch can be observed. At the end of the 5th century AD, a 6.5m tectonic subsiding movement drowned the site of Pheia, thus providing the sea with an enormous amount of sediments which it shaped into a prograding beach including extremely varied elements, some taken from the submerged city (ceramic, slags, stones), some from the cliff. Later, at an undetermined period, the whole lot was raised, thus leaving the archaeological vestiges 5 meters deep under water and raising the top of the intertidal zone of the beach up to 1.5 m.

continue reading…

beach

Pheia’s low acropolis had a byzantine castle (Pontikokastro or “mouse” castle), which became the Beauvoir of the Villehardouins. The steep site is considerably overgrown, with low remains, one or two towers, and a plethora of potentially dangerous cisterns.

castle

The main thing here is the view, still beautiful!

Wine Tasting Week in Katakolon with TRAINOSE

03 Wednesday Sep 2014

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TRAINOSE

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.

 

Book presentation by Sakis Trampadoros

07 Thursday Aug 2014

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Book presentation by Sakis Trampadoros – “Saint Dionysios of Zakynthos and the society of his time” and “On Saints”

 

book exhibition

Sakis Trampadoros

The traditional convenience store “Edeatros” and the bookstore “Lexis” invite you to the presentation of two books written by Sakis Trampadoros, “Saint Dionysios of Zakynthos and the society of his time” and “On Saints“.

The event will take place on Monday, August 11 at 20:30, on the pedestrian road next to the Archaeological Museum of Pyrgos (1 Metaxas Street). A comprehensive reference to the issues raised in these two books is scheduled for the presentation.

The discussion will be opened by the journalist-author Mr Michalis Maniatis, the philologist Professor Augerinos Anastasopoulos and the author Mr Sakis Trampadoros.

The event will be coordinated by the journalist Mr Panagiotis Foteinopoulos.

24th Festival Ilida – programme 2014

23 Wednesday Jul 2014

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The program of the 24th Festival Ilida

programme 2014

Festival Ilida

 

The art of theatre ‘meets’ once again, for the 24th year, Ancient Elis and the homonymous festival, which has established itself as one of the best in the country.

Exceptional performances of ancient drama, performances of the new stage and the children’s scene, bearing the signature of remarkable filmmakers and cast members involved, frame the program of the 24th Festival of Ancient Ilida, which premiered on 12 July and drops its curtain on August 21.

The “heart” of culture will ring for two months in Ancient Elis, where they present a total of fifteen performances six ancient dramas, five of the new scene and four of the children’s scene.

The municipality of Ilida is again organizing a festival of high claims, as illustrated by the program, and aims to gather theater goers to Ancient Elis.

 

THE PROGRAMME

 

In July

Friday 25th July, the children’s performance of “DON QUIXOTE” by Miguel de Cervantes, adapted and directed by Dimitris Adami
Cast: Dimitris Agoras, Alexis Vidalakis, Petros Ioannis, Thomi Koskosi, Giorgos Balopita, Danae Sdougkou and Marilisa Chronea.

Saturday 26th July, the comedy of Alexandros Rigas and Dimitris Apostolou “FONISSES OF PAPADIAMANTI”
Cast: Eleni Kastani, Konstantina Michael, Natalia Dragoumi Jenny Botsi, Foteini Demiri, Sophia Vogiatzaki, Patrikios Kostis, Parthena Chorozidou and Jessi Papoutsi

Monday 28th July,  performance of “MARIA PENTAGIOTISSA” by Bost, directed by Giannis Bostantzoglou
Cast: Giannis Bostantzoglou, Giannis Aivazi, Dimitra Papadema, Kostas Flokatoulas, Pericles Albanis, Petros Petrou, Marios Leonidis, Konstantinos Prasa, Giorgos Mataraga and Petros Xekoukis

 

In August

Friday 1st August, the children’s performance of “The Magic Key” by Carmen Ruggeri
Cast: Helen Zioga, Orestes Karidas, Alexandros Kompogiorgas, Giannis Nikolaos, Nadia Mitroudi, Amanda Sofianopoulou and Myrto Chryssanthakopoulou

Saturday 2nd August,  the performance of “TROADES” by Euripides, directed by Themis Moumoulidis
Cast: Filareti Komnenou, Stelios Mainas, Aris Lempesopoulos, Zeta Duka, Ioanna Pappa, Maria Protopappa, Christos Plainis, Lena Papaligoura, Marouska Panagiotopoulou, Loukia Michalopoulou, Georgina Palaiothodorou, Eirini Kyrmizaki
Music: Iris Mara (clarinet), Io Kyriakidi (accordion)

Thursday 7th August, the performance of “Oops … ELECTRA” parody of Alexis Kallitsis, directed by Petros Filippidis and Anna Panagiotopoulou
Cast: Petros Filippidis, Elizabeth Konstandinidou, Gerasimos Skiadaresis,  Dimitris Mavropoulos, Crateros Katsoulis, Panos Stathakopoulos, Alberto Fais, Manos Ioannis, Christos Spanos, Stavros Karagiannis and Kyriakos Markatos

Saturday 9th August, the performance of “THESMOFORIAZUSAE” by Aristophanes, directed by Giorgos Kimoulis
Cast: Giorgos Kimoulis, Dimitris Piata, Fay Xyla, Thanassis Alevras, Konstantinos Giannakopoulos, Dimitris Rafailo and Harris Chiotis

Sunday 10th August, the children’s performance of “SLEEPING BEAUTY AWOKE” by Xenia Kalogeropoulou, Thomas Moschopoulos, directed by Vangelis Theodoropoulos
Cast:  Amalia Arseni, Anthi Efstratiadou, Christos Pitsas, Stavros Svigkos, Evangelia Syriopoulou, Foteini Timothyeou and Orestes Tziovas

Wednesday 13th August, the performance of “DINNER WITH FRIENDS” by Donald Margulies, directed by Grigoris Valtinos
Cast: Grigoris Valtinos, Kleona Gregoriadi, Renia Loizidou and Alexandra Palaiologou

Saturday 16th August the performance of “IPHIGENIA IN TAURIS” by Euripides, directed by Kerasia Samaras
Cast: Kerasia Samara, Alexander Ntavris, Vasilis Giakoumaros, Kostas Tsachras, Vangelis Salefris, Eleni Kakkali, Despina Bougiatioti, Tonia Apostolou and Kelly Anyfanti

Monday 18th August, provided by the National Theatre of Northern Greece, the performance of “PERSIANS” by Aeschylus, directed by Niketis Kondouris
Cast: Giannis Fertis (Darius), Akis Sakellariou (Atossa), Lazaros Georgakopoulos (Messenger) and Giorgos Kolovos (Xerxes).

Thursday 21st August, the National Theatre project of “FROGS” by Aristophanes, directed by Giannis Kakleas
Cast: Basilis Charalampopoulos, Fanis Mouratidis, John Zouganeli, Panos Vlachos

 

The Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus – programme 2014

21 Monday Jul 2014

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The Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus – programme 2014

 

programme 2014

epidauros theatre

The Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus aims to highlight and promote the work of young artists and to present contemporary trends in dance, music and theatre through the invitation of, and collaboration with interesting artists and performance companies.

Getting There

The Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus is situated within the archaeological site of the Sanctuary of Asklepios, in the Argolis prefecture of the Peloponnese. It is a half-hour drive from Nafplio and approximately three hours from Katakolon.

Tickets:

http://tickets.greekfestival.gr/en/ef/

 

National Theatre of Greece – Lydia Koniordou

Hippolytus by Euripides
25-26 July, 21:00

Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus
This year, the tragedy will be directed by Lydia Koniordou in the ancient theatre, where the main roles will be played by herself, Leda Protopsalti, Nikos Kouris, Themis Panou, Sarantis Michalis, Phaedon Kastris, Evgenia Apostolou, Noni Ioannidou, et al.

 

Roula Pateraki

War Manifesto (Part I)
25-26 July, 21:30

Little Theatre of Ancient Epidaurus
Based on The History of the Peloponnesian War by Thucydides A project directed by Roula Pateraki based on the classic work by Thucydides which narrates the events of the catastrophic war between Athens and Sparta (431-404 BC). The play is in three parts, and is expected to be performed over three consecutive festivals (2014-2016).

 

National Theatre of Greece – Yiannis Kakleas

The Frogs by Aristophanes
1-2 August, 21:00

Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus
What can save the city? The momentum of modernisation or the grandeur of the past? Euripides or Aeschylus? Realism or the supernatural? The dilemma posed by Aristophanes in The Frogs takes centre stage in Yiannis Kakleas’ production, which examines the importance of art in times of transition such as ours. The power of art, the poorness of modern critique, theatre as an artistic and political act, comprise elements of a performance that explores new theatrical forms and the value of verse, while demonstrating the timelessness of Aristophanes’ quandary.

 

Theatro Domatiou – Angela Brouskou

The Bacchae by Euripides
8-9 August, 21:00

Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus
Armed with a powerful cast and a willingness to take directorial risks, Angela Brouskou takes on the Bacchae (405 BC) in Giorgos Cheimonas’ translation. The adversaries, Dionysus and Pentheas, are played respectively by Aglaia Pappa and Aristeidis Servetalis.

The performance is presented in Greek, with english subtitles

 


State Theatre of Nothern Greece – Nikaiti Kontouri

The Persians by Aeschylus
15-16 August, 21:00

Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus
In the wake of her Trojan Women, Nikaiti Kontouri returns with another anti-war tragedy, this time with male protagonists played by Giannis Fertis, Akis Sakellariou and Lazaros Georgakopoulos.