Leontio
Encyclopedia
Leontio older form: -on, is a community former municipality
in Achaea
, West Greece, Greece
. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Erymanthos
, of which it is a municipal unit. It is built on the foot of the Panachaiko
. Its 2001 population was 373 for the village, 570 for the communal district and 743 for the community. Leontio is located about 40 km southeast of Patras
, about 40 to 50 km southwest of Aigio
and about 40 km northwest of Kalavryta
.
It is the rural community head township overlooking the other villages in the area. Located in picturesque mountains with natural springs, forests, valleys with rich irrigation ideal for farming and grazing.
So its settlement then as a city dates back to ancient times and was known as Leontium. The city was founded by Ionia
n refugees and was a member of the Ionian Dodecapolis or the Achaean Community. It was located on the ancient border of Achaea and Arcadia
near Vlassia where excavations uncovered a Mycenean tomb and an ancient theater from the 4th century BC. The temple of Artemis
is located along the ancient road which lead to Arcadia. Its length was 35 m and its width was 11 m.
The city was destroyed at the end of the 3rd century BC by Philip V Macedon. From Leontio descended a soldier of the Achaean League Callicrates. Leontio controlled several places including Chios
and Leontopoda. The city later became a part of the Roman Empire
, later it came under the control of the Byzantines
, the Franks
, the Venetians and the Ottomans
. Between the Dark Ages and the Medieval era, its status of a city was lost and the village was renamed Gourzoumisa (Γουρζούμισα). It finally joined Greece after the Greek War of Independence
of 1821.
Archaeological remains were found in the 1930s and uncovered Mycenean tombs (14th
-12th century BC). Also it featured an acropolis that dates back to around the 3rd century BC. After World War II
and the Greek Civil War
, its buildings were rebuilt. Emigration hit the economy hard as they moved to larger cities and to more economically affluent countries like the USA, Germany, Australia, South Africa, Canada, etc., for a better life.
Interestingly it became one of a few areas in Greece where population growth returned. This occurred between the 1991 and the 2001 censuses encouraged from easy access to electricity, telephone, radio and television as well as road surface pavement allowing the use of cars. Finally, the use of computer and the internet at the turn of the millennium helped the community with communication and access to information.
and Panachaiko
to the northwest, Erymanthos to the southwest and several more to the east. The Gulf of Corinth
cannot be seen.
Communities and Municipalities of Greece
For the new municipalities of Greece see the Kallikratis ProgrammeThe municipalities and communities of Greece are one of several levels of government within the organizational structure of that country. Thirteen regions called peripheries form the largest unit of government beneath the State. ...
in Achaea
Achaea
Achaea is one of the regional units of Greece. It is part of the region of West Greece. It is situated in the northwestern part of the Peloponnese peninsula. The capital is Patras. The population exceeds 300,000 since 2001.-Geography:...
, West Greece, Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Erymanthos
Erymanthos (municipality)
Erymanthos is a municipality in the Achaea peripheral unit, West Greece Periphery, Greece. The seat of the municipality is the town Chalandritsa...
, of which it is a municipal unit. It is built on the foot of the Panachaiko
Panachaiko
The Panachaikon or Panachaiko , also known as Vodias in medieval times and until the early 20th century, is a mountain range that spans about 20 km in length from north to south , and 15 to 20 km from east to west...
. Its 2001 population was 373 for the village, 570 for the communal district and 743 for the community. Leontio is located about 40 km southeast of Patras
Patras
Patras , ) is Greece's third largest urban area and the regional capital of West Greece, located in northern Peloponnese, 215 kilometers west of Athens...
, about 40 to 50 km southwest of Aigio
Aigio
Aigio is a town and a former municipality in Achaea, West Greece, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Aigialeia, of which it is the seat and a municipal unit. Its population is around 30,000. Aigio is surrounded by trees in the north and cliffs in the...
and about 40 km northwest of Kalavryta
Kalavryta
Kalavryta is a town and a municipality in the eastcentral part of the peripheral unit of Achaea, Greece. It is the southern terminus of the Kalavryta - Diakopto Road and the eastern terminus of the Patras - Kalavryta Road. It is located approx...
.
It is the rural community head township overlooking the other villages in the area. Located in picturesque mountains with natural springs, forests, valleys with rich irrigation ideal for farming and grazing.
Subdivisions
The municipal unit Leontio is subdivided into the following communities (constituent villages in brackets):- Ano Mazaraki
- Demesticha
- Leontio (Leontio, Vetaiika, Golemi, Thomaiika, Katsaitaiika, Kounavaiika, Ovryokampos)
Population
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1981 | 518 |
| 1991 | 333 |
| 2001 | 373 |
History
After the Trojan Wars, evidence suggests that the Achaians settled Leontio, at this time it was a Polis. This is supported by archeological excavations in the area by the archaeologist N. Kiparisis during the period of 1931-32. The different artifacts excavated in a number of ancient cemeteries confirmed the Polis flourished at about 1,000 B.C. Though older findings date it back to 3,000-2,000 B.C.So its settlement then as a city dates back to ancient times and was known as Leontium. The city was founded by Ionia
Ionia
Ionia is an ancient region of central coastal Anatolia in present-day Turkey, the region nearest İzmir, which was historically Smyrna. It consisted of the northernmost territories of the Ionian League of Greek settlements...
n refugees and was a member of the Ionian Dodecapolis or the Achaean Community. It was located on the ancient border of Achaea and Arcadia
Arcadia
Arcadia is one of the regional units of Greece. It is part of the administrative region of Peloponnese. It is situated in the central and eastern part of the Peloponnese peninsula. It takes its name from the mythological character Arcas. In Greek mythology, it was the home of the god Pan...
near Vlassia where excavations uncovered a Mycenean tomb and an ancient theater from the 4th century BC. The temple of Artemis
Artemis
Artemis was one of the most widely venerated of the Ancient Greek deities. Her Roman equivalent is Diana. Some scholars believe that the name and indeed the goddess herself was originally pre-Greek. Homer refers to her as Artemis Agrotera, Potnia Theron: "Artemis of the wildland, Mistress of Animals"...
is located along the ancient road which lead to Arcadia. Its length was 35 m and its width was 11 m.
The city was destroyed at the end of the 3rd century BC by Philip V Macedon. From Leontio descended a soldier of the Achaean League Callicrates. Leontio controlled several places including Chios
Chios
Chios is the fifth largest of the Greek islands, situated in the Aegean Sea, seven kilometres off the Asia Minor coast. The island is separated from Turkey by the Chios Strait. The island is noted for its strong merchant shipping community, its unique mastic gum and its medieval villages...
and Leontopoda. The city later became a part of the Roman Empire
Roman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
, later it came under the control of the Byzantines
Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire during the periods of Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, centred on the capital of Constantinople. Known simply as the Roman Empire or Romania to its inhabitants and neighbours, the Empire was the direct continuation of the Ancient Roman State...
, the Franks
Frankish Empire
Francia or Frankia, later also called the Frankish Empire , Frankish Kingdom , Frankish Realm or occasionally Frankland, was the territory inhabited and ruled by the Franks from the 3rd to the 10th century...
, the Venetians and the Ottomans
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
. Between the Dark Ages and the Medieval era, its status of a city was lost and the village was renamed Gourzoumisa (Γουρζούμισα). It finally joined Greece after the Greek War of Independence
Greek War of Independence
The Greek War of Independence, also known as the Greek Revolution was a successful war of independence waged by the Greek revolutionaries between...
of 1821.
Archaeological remains were found in the 1930s and uncovered Mycenean tombs (14th
14th century BC
The 14th century BC is a century which lasted from the year 1400 BC until 1301 BC.-Events:* 1397 BC: Pandion I, legendary King of Athens, dies after a reign of 40 years and is succeeded by his son Erechtheus II of Athens....
-12th century BC). Also it featured an acropolis that dates back to around the 3rd century BC. After World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and the Greek Civil War
Greek Civil War
The Greek Civil War was fought from 1946 to 1949 between the Greek governmental army, backed by the United Kingdom and United States, and the Democratic Army of Greece , the military branch of the Greek Communist Party , backed by Bulgaria, Yugoslavia and Albania...
, its buildings were rebuilt. Emigration hit the economy hard as they moved to larger cities and to more economically affluent countries like the USA, Germany, Australia, South Africa, Canada, etc., for a better life.
Interestingly it became one of a few areas in Greece where population growth returned. This occurred between the 1991 and the 2001 censuses encouraged from easy access to electricity, telephone, radio and television as well as road surface pavement allowing the use of cars. Finally, the use of computer and the internet at the turn of the millennium helped the community with communication and access to information.
Panorama
Several mountains block the view of other mountains, Leontio offers views of mounts OmplosOmplos
Omplos is a mountain in the northern part of Achaea, Greece. It rises 720 m above sea level. The mountain is shaped like a sugar-loaf, with a 65° slope. The mountain can be reached by three unused roads, one that leads almost to the top of the mountain, one linking to Ovrya in the West, and...
and Panachaiko
Panachaiko
The Panachaikon or Panachaiko , also known as Vodias in medieval times and until the early 20th century, is a mountain range that spans about 20 km in length from north to south , and 15 to 20 km from east to west...
to the northwest, Erymanthos to the southwest and several more to the east. The Gulf of Corinth
Gulf of Corinth
The Gulf of Corinth or the Corinthian Gulf is a deep inlet of the Ionian Sea separating the Peloponnese from western mainland Greece...
cannot be seen.
Economy
Its main economy is based on agriculture from locally grown crops of fruit, vegetables as well as some small wine production. Dairy products are derived from cattle, sheep and goats. Also some employees work in maintenance for the community.External links
| Northwest: Patras Patras Patras , ) is Greece's third largest urban area and the regional capital of West Greece, located in northern Peloponnese, 215 kilometers west of Athens... | North: Erineos Erineos Erineos is a former municipality in Achaea, West Greece, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Aigialeia, of which it is a municipal unit. Its seat of administration was in the village of Kamares. It is connected by the old road of GR-8 linking Patras and... | Northeast: Sympoliteia Sympoliteia Sympoliteia is a former municipality in Achaea, West Greece, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Aigialeia, of which it is a municipal unit. Population 7,840 . The seat of the municipality was in Rododafni. Sympoliteia was one of several ancient terms... |
| West: Messatida Messatida Messatida is a former municipality in Achaea, West Greece, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Patras, of which it is a municipal unit. The seat of the municipality was in Ovrya. It includes the communities of Kríni, southern Demenika, Saravali, and parts... | Leontio | East: Aigio Aigio Aigio is a town and a former municipality in Achaea, West Greece, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Aigialeia, of which it is the seat and a municipal unit. Its population is around 30,000. Aigio is surrounded by trees in the north and cliffs in the... |
| Southwest: Tritaia Tritaia Tritaia is a former municipality in Achaea, West Greece, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Erymanthos, of which it is a municipal unit. Population 5,462 . The seat of the municipality is in Stavrodromi... | South: Kalavryta Kalavryta Kalavryta is a town and a municipality in the eastcentral part of the peripheral unit of Achaea, Greece. It is the southern terminus of the Kalavryta - Diakopto Road and the eastern terminus of the Patras - Kalavryta Road. It is located approx... |