Korinthia, Municipality of Xylokastro - Evrostini

Municipality of Xylokastro - Evrostini

The municipality of Xylokastro – Evrostini is a municipality of the Peloponnese region and it was established in 2011 by the unification of the two municipalities of Xylokastro and Evrostini, according to Kallikratis programme. It is located on the east side of Korinthia region and it borders with Achaia region. Its capital is Xylokastro and it is also the only town in the municipality.

Historical Note

Xylokastro took its name by wooden barracks, placed in a hill near to Sythas river and it operated as an observatory. From there, the guard had visual contact with the castles in Zemeno and Pellini, could check every move in the Corinthian Gulf and monitor the port in Aristonautes. When they saw something, they informed the other castles through smoke signals. Locals named this castle “Xylokastro”, which in Greek means wooden castle, and the whole region was named after it. During the 18th century, the region had a very few houses, which were used to store products and they were owned mostly by people from Trikala. The region used to be at its greatest part a dense forest and “Pefkias” is what’s left today.

The Municipality of Xylokastro – Evrostini is located on the coastline of the Corinthian Gulf and in the foothill of Ziria. The variety that Xylokastro offers along with its location – in the middle of the national road Athens – Patras – make it an exceptional destination for every season.

Visitors can enjoy a walk on the coastline of Xylokastro, with the perfect view of the area or have a great mountainous adventure in the nature.

The verdant forest of “Pefkias” is refreshing its visitors with a cooling breeze, and by walking it through, visitors get to know what Karyotakis loved there and where Sikelianos built his summerhouse. On the other hand, the picturesque paths of Flabouritsa in Trikala, invite all the nature lovers to discover the mythical mountain of Hermes. The magical natural landscape of this municipality completes the circle of picturesque villages in Evrostini.

Mythology

History

According to Mythology, Hermes led the stolen cattle of Apollo in Mavro Oros and there found the turtle, from the shell of which he stretched some strings and made the first lyre, which he gave to Apollo as a gift for stealing the cattle.