Akovos (Greek: Άκοβος) is a mountain village and a community in the municipal unit of Falaisia, southwestern Arcadia, Greece.[2] It is situated in the foothills of the Taygetus mountains.[3]
Akovos
Άκοβος | |
|---|---|
  Akovos | |
| Coordinates: 37°11′32″N 22°09′43″E / 37.192178°N 22.161989°E | |
| Country | Greece |
| Administrative region | Peloponnese |
| Regional unit | Arcadia |
| Municipality | Megalopoli |
| Municipal unit | Falaisia |
| Elevation | 900 m (3,000 ft) |
| Population (2021)[1] | |
| • Community | 121 |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+3 (EEST) |
| Postal code | 220 21 |
| Area code(s) | +30 27910 |
Its nearest villages are Dyrrachio and Leptini. It is 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) west of Dyrrachio, 4 km northeast of Poliani (Messenia), 15 km (9.3 mi) south of Leontari and 23 km (14 mi) south of Megalopoli. The community includes the village Goupata.
History
edit
Theodoros Kolokotronis married and settled for several years in Akovos. In 1825, he fought a battle nearby in the village of Drampala against Ibrahim Pasha of Egypt. While waiting in Akovos for Ibrahim's forces, Kolokotronis vowed with the villagers that he would build a larger church, and he carved his initials into a stone of the Agia Sotira church. The anniversary of the battle is celebrated by the town on the day of the Pentecost. As of 2008[update], his home is the village's Cultural Centre.[3]
Overview
editIn keeping with its name for water, the village has a number of water fountains, one of which is named "Neraidovrysi".[3]
Population
edit| Year | Population village | Population community |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 246 | 264 |
| 2011 | 182 | 202 |
| 2021 | 112 | 121 |
Goupata
editPart of the Akovos community,[4] Goupata is a small settlement of less than 50 people near the village of Kamara and the Kato Gianei settlement. It is about 5 kilometres (5,000 m) north of the center of Akovos.[5]
Religion
editOne of the churches in Akovos is Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church, a Greek Orthodox church.[6]
There are many chapels in the village and they hold celebrations throughout the years. A festival is held on St. George's Day, due to the historic tradition of Kourbani. It was started in the village by Kolokotroni's father-in-law, who offered a calf each year to St. George. Now, only visitors have right to the food from a donated calf. There are also festivals on the day of the Pentecost in an Agia Triada. Festivals are also held at the church of Virgin Mary and Agia Paraskevi. Another chapel is Agia Solomoni.[3]
People from Akovos
edit- Maria Menounos' father, Costas Menounos[7]
- Sotirios Christopoulos
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Αποτελέσματα Απογραφής Πληθυσμού - Κατοικιών 2021, Μόνιμος Πληθυσμός κατά οικισμό" [Results of the 2021 Population - Housing Census, Permanent population by settlement] (in Greek). Hellenic Statistical Authority. 29 March 2024.
- ^ "ΦΕΚ B 1292/2010, Kallikratis reform municipalities" (in Greek). Government Gazette.
- ^ a b c d "Akovos". Regional Guide of Peloponnese. March 28, 2008. Retrieved November 24, 2016.
- ^ "Απογραφή Πληθυσμού - Κατοικιών 2011. ΜΟΝΙΜΟΣ Πληθυσμός" (in Greek). Hellenic Statistical Authority.
- ^ "Goupata to Akovos". Google maps. Retrieved November 24, 2016.
- ^ "Akovos - Arcadia, Greece". Orthodox World. Retrieved November 24, 2016.
- ^ TNH staff (May 9, 2014). "Chasing Maria Menounos: Good Luck Keeping Up!". The National Herald. Retrieved November 24, 2016.
External links
edit- Akovos (official site - Greek)
- History and Information about Akovos (Greek)
- A map of Akovos and the surrounding area with captions of historical info for the areas (Greek)