Akovos
| Akovos Άκοβος | |
|---|---|
  Akovos | |
| Coordinates: 37°11′N 22°10′E / 37.183°N 22.167°ECoordinates: 37°11′N 22°10′E / 37.183°N 22.167°E | |
| Country | Greece |
| Administrative region | Peloponnese |
| Regional unit | Arcadia |
| Municipality | Megalopoli |
| Municipal unit | Falaisia |
| Highest elevation | 883 m (2,897 ft) |
| Community[1] | |
| • Population | 202 (2011) |
| Time zone | EET (UTC+2) |
| • Summer (DST) | EEST (UTC+3) |
| Postal code | 22021[2] |
| Area code(s) | 3027910[2] |
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]
Its nearest villages are Dyrrachio and Leptini.[2] 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. In 2001 its population was 182 for the village, and 202 for the community, including the village Goupata.
History
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, his home is the village's Cultural Centre.[3]
Overview
In keeping with its name for water, the village has a number of water fountains, one of which is more notable than the others and is named "Neraidovrysi".[3]
Population
| Year | Population village | Population community |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 283[2] | - |
| 1991 | 293[2] | - |
| 2001 | 246 | 264 |
| 2011 | 182 | 202 |
Goupata
Part of the Akovos community, Goupata is a small settlement of less than 50 people near the village of Kamara and the Kato Gianei settlement.[4] It is about 5.2 kilometres (5,200 m) north of the center of Akovos.[5]
Religion
One of the churches in Akovos is Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church, a Christian 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 a Agia Triada. Festivals are also held at the church of Virgin Mary and Agia Paraskevi. Another chapel is Agia Solomoni.[3]
People from Akovos
- Maria Menounos' father, Costas Menounos is from Akovos[7]
See also
References
- ↑ "Απογραφή Πληθυσμού - Κατοικιών 2011. ΜΟΝΙΜΟΣ Πληθυσμός" (in Greek). Hellenic Statistical Authority.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Akovos". Greece.com. Retrieved November 24, 2016.
- 1 2 3 4 "Akovos". Regional Guide of Peloponnese. March 28, 2008. Retrieved November 24, 2016.
- ↑ "Goupata". Greece.com. Retrieved November 24, 2016.
- ↑ "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
- 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)