Kastro-Kyllini (Greek: Κάστρο-Κυλλήνη) is a former municipality in Elis, West Greece, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Andravida-Kyllini, of which it is a municipal unit.[2] The municipal unit has an area of 49.322 km2.[3] The population was 3,272 in 2021. The municipality Kastro-Kyllini was created in 1999 as part of the Kapodistrias reform from the formerly independent communities Kyllini, Kato Panagia, Kastro and Neochori, that became municipal districts. After the 2011 Kallikratis reform, these municipal districts became (dependent) communities. Its seat of administration was the small port town of Kyllini.

Kastro-Kyllini
Κάστρο-Κυλλήνη
Kastro-Kyllini is located in Greece
Kastro-Kyllini
Kastro-Kyllini
Location within the regional unit
Coordinates: 37°56′N 21°9′E / 37.933°N 21.150°E / 37.933; 21.150
CountryGreece
Administrative regionWest Greece
Regional unitElis
MunicipalityAndravida-Kyllini
Area
 • Municipal unit49.322 km2 (19.043 sq mi)
Elevation
20 m (70 ft)
Population
 (2021)[1]
 • Municipal unit
3,272
 • Municipal unit density66/km2 (170/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)
Postal code
270 68, 270 50
Area code(s)26230
Vehicle registrationΗΑ

Geography

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The ruins of the Glarentza fortress undergoing excavation and reconstruction.

Kastro-Kyllini is situated in the westernmost part of Elis and the Peloponnese, 12 kilometres (7 miles) west of Andravida and about 40 kilometres (25 miles) northwest of Pyrgos. It covers the northern part of the Kyllini peninsula, which juts into the Ionian Sea. The peninsula is covered with hills, but the area to the east of the peninsula is very flat. The Crusader fortress of Chlemoutsi is situated on the highest point of the peninsula, about 220 metres (722 feet) above sea level. Between the northernmost point, Cape Kyllini, and the town Kyllini the ruins of the medieval town of Glarentza have been excavated. There are forests and olive groves in the hills. Agriculture is the dominant land use in the plains.

There are several popular beaches on the coast. The thermal springs of Kyllini (Loutra Kyllinis) are the largest beach facility in the western Peloponnese. There is a monastery, the Monastery of Blachernae, southeast of Kato Panagia. The small island Kafkalida, near Cape Kyllini, is uninhabited. It carries a lighthouse.

Transportation

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There were two railway lines in Kastro-Kyllini. The Kavasila – Vartholomio – Kyllini railway branched off the Patras – Pyrgos railway at Kavasila, and ran to Kyllini via Vartholomio. A branch line ran from Vartholomio to Loutra Kyllinis. Both lines have been abandoned. Several secondary roads connect the villages.

Subdivisions

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The municipal unit Kastro-Kyllini is subdivided into the following communities (constituent villages in brackets):

Community Population
1981
Population
1991
Population
2001
Population
2011
Population
2021
Elevation (m)
Kyllini
- Kylllini
- Kafkalida
--- 952 1,079 631 534 0-10
Kato Panagia
- Kato Panagia
- Ikaros
- Moni Vlachernon
1,123 1,266 1,313 1,149 1,110 0-25
Neochori
- Neochori
- Vytinaiika
1,015 1,323 1,164 753 810 5-7
Kastro
- Kastro
- Analipsi
- Kalamia
- Karavaki
- Loutra Kyllinis
- Psili Rachi
244 857 930 1,089 818 110

Kyllini

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Kato Panagia

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The community of Kato Panagia (Greek: Κάτω Παναγιά) consists of the villages Kato Panagia, Ikaros and Moni Vlachernon. The village Kato Panagia is directly adjacent to Kyllini, on the road to Lechaina. The village Ikaros is 3 kilometres (2 miles) further east, also on the coast. Refugees from Asia Minor settled in Kato Panagia as a result of the Greco-Turkish War (1919–1922).

Kastro

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Chlemoutsi Castle

The community of Kastro (Greek: Κάστρο) consists of the town Kastro and the small villages Analipsi, Kalamia, Karavaki, Loutra Kyllinis and Psili Rachi. Kastro is 5 km (3 mi) south of Kyllini and 7 km (4 mi) northwest of Vartholomio. It is situated in the hills, and is dominated by the Chlemoutsi fortress. The name Kastro means "castle", and refers to Chlemoutsi. The fortress was built by prince Geoffrey I Villehardouin of the Principality of Achaea in 1220-1223, who called it Clairmont (from which Chlemoutsi is a derivation ). After the decline of the Principality the castle gradually lost its importance. Today it is as a monument and is sometimes used for concerts.

The thermal springs of Kyllini (Loutra Kyllinis) are 4 km (2 mi) southwest of Kastro, near the coast. It is a beach resort, surrounded by forests. The most famous baths also offers inhalation therapy, said to assist in asthma and skin problems. It is situated next to Roman ruins.

Neochori

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The community of Neochori (Greek: Νεοχώρι) consists of the villages Neochori and Vytinaiika. Neochori is on the road from Kyllini to Lechaina, 6 km (4 mi) southeast of Kyllini and 6 km (4 mi) southwest of Lechaina. It is 3 km (2 mi) southwest of Myrsini and 3 km (2 mi) north of Machos. Neochori is in a flat, rural area.

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.
  2. ^ "ΦΕΚ B 1292/2010, Kallikratis reform municipalities" (in Greek). Government Gazette.
  3. ^ "Population & housing census 2001 (incl. area and average elevation)" (PDF) (in Greek). National Statistical Service of Greece. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-09-21.
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