Epitalio (Greek: Επιτάλιο, before 1927: Αγουλινίτσα - Agoulinitsa[2]) is a town and a community in Elis, Greece.

Epitalio
Επιτάλιο
Epitalio is located in Greece
Epitalio
Epitalio
Coordinates: 37°37.6′N 21°29.6′E / 37.6267°N 21.4933°E / 37.6267; 21.4933
CountryGreece
Administrative regionWest Greece
Regional unitElis
MunicipalityPyrgos
Municipal unitVolakas
Elevation
37 m (121 ft)
Population
 (2021)[1]
 • Community
1,291
Time zoneUTC 2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC 3 (EEST)
Postal code
270 58
Area code(s)26210
Vehicle registrationΗΑ

It was the seat of the former municipality of Volakas, which was merged into the municipality of Pyrgos under the major administrative reform of 2011.[3] Epitalio is situated at the foot of low hills, 4 km from the Ionian Sea and 2 km from the river Alfeios. It is 7 km southeast of Pyrgos, 12 km west of Olympia and 12 km northwest of Krestena. Some places in the wider Epitalio area are located below sea level at -6 m elevation, the lowest point in Greece.[4][5] The Greek National Road 9 (Patras - Pyrgos - Kyparissia) and the railway from Pyrgos to Kalamata run through Epitalio. The community consists of the town Epitalio and the beach village Paralia.

Historical population

edit
Year Town Community
1981 1,869 -
1991 1,752 -
2001 1,893 2,059
2011 1,469 1,495
2021 1,239 1,291

History

edit

Epitalio was named after the ancient Elean city Epitalium. Epitalium, identified by Strabo as the Homeric Thryon or Thryoessa, was situated on a hill near the ford of the river Alpheus.[6] Its strategic position on the road along the Ionian Sea coast made it an important military post.[7] The ancient ruins lie north of the present town.

See also

edit

References

edit
  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. ^ Name changes of settlements in Greece
  3. ^ "ΦΕΚ B 1292/2010, Kallikratis reform municipalities" (in Greek). Government Gazette.
  4. ^ "Greece topographic map". Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  5. ^ "Meteoclub". Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  6. ^ Strabo Geographica 8.3
  7. ^   Smith, William, ed. (1854). "Epitalium". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography. Vol. 1. London: John Murray. p. 843.
edit