Katafygio (Greek: Καταφύγιο, meaning refuge, shelter, lodge) is a village in Aetolia-Acarnania in Greece at an altitude of 620 metres in the eastern foothills of Makrynoros. It borders the villages of Anavriti to the north, Kentriki and Aspria to the northeast, Chrysovo to the southeast, Gavros to the northwest and Anthofyto to the southwest. It is about 33 kilometres from Nafpaktos on a tarmac road.

Katafygio
Καταφύγιο
Katafygio is located in Greece
Katafygio
Katafygio
Coordinates: 38°31′N 21°55′E / 38.517°N 21.917°E / 38.517; 21.917
CountryGreece
Administrative regionWest Greece
Regional unitAetolia-Acarnania
MunicipalityNafpaktia
Municipal unitApodotia
Area
 • Community23.429 km2 (9.046 sq mi)
Elevation
650 m (2,130 ft)
Population
 (2021)[1]
 • Community130
 • Density5.5/km2 (14/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)
Postal code
30300
Area code(s)26340
Websitewww.katafigionafpaktias.gr

The village is surrounded by 2 hills on the summits of which are the small churches of St Konstantinos and St Athanasios. The land is prone to subsidence and landslip. In 1878, 25 buildings disappeared because of subsidence. The houses and the fields are strengthened with low walls (demata) in order to stabilise the ground.

In the centre of village is the square and the church of Koimiseos of Theotokou.

History

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The old name of the village was Amorani. In 1928, it was renamed Katafygio because under Ottoman occupation the village was a refuge, with many caverns, and rocky and steep terrain making it hard to reach.

It was in existence by 1550–1575, at which time we find it registered in Turkish tax documents in the region of Kravara.

Under Ottoman domination it was one of the main villages of the region. Around 1700 families of cattle-breeders moved to the western side of the Makrynoro mountain and created a small settlement, named Golemi. This historical relationship renders Golemi an integral part of Katafygio. Administratively, Katafygio from 1836 until 1912 belonged to the municipality of Apodotia. With the royal decree on 31 August 1912 (261/Α/1912) it was recognized as the community of Amorani. It was renamed Katafygio by the decree of 9 September 1927 (206/A/1927). Golemi is part of the community.

With the application of the Kapodistrias reform it became the Municipal District of Katafygio, in the Municipality of Apodotia in Aetolia-Acarnania, which became part of the municipality Nafpaktia in 2011. It occupies 23.429 km2 (9.046 sq mi). Historically the residents lived by livestock farming, which is still practiced.

Historical population of Katafygio community

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Year Population
1907 678 residents
1920 613
1928 629
1940 757
1951 743
1961 652
1971 350
1981 300
1991 340
2001 256
2011 322
2021 130

References

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  1. ^ "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.
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