Alevrada
Encyclopedia
Alevrada is a small village of Greece
located in the North West part of Aetolia-Acarnania
near the dam of the river Achelous
and the artificial lake Kremasta
. The village belongs to the municipal unit of Inachos
. The village has about 117 inhabitants (see 2001 census results). The altitude of the village is 573 m. above sea level.
Alevrada is located on the provincial road GR-38
which connects Agrinio
with Karpenisi
and Lamia. Alevrada's boundaries are with the former communities: 1. Petrona to the West and 2. Triklino
to the East. The Achelous River divided the area of the village from Tatarna (Evrytania
prefecture) and the village of Chouni (Trichonida Province).
The construction of the Kremasta dam (see below) over the Acheloos river and the formation of a huge artificial lake caused a dramatic decrease of the population of the area. This was due to the lost of land available for cultivation since most of it has been covered with water.
In the area of Kremasta (where the famous "Jump of Katsantonis" was located) the Greek Electric Company (ΔΕΗ) constructed a huge dam (160 m. high) and the famous mineral thermal springs were covered under the dam. After the construction, the mineral water flowed down of the dam and the springs formed again at a place known to the local people as Gria Maria.
Over the dam passes the provincial road which connects Alevrada with Chouni of the Trichonida province. This road is in bad condition. A new road which connects Alevrada with Evrytania through Tatarna Bridge
has recently completed.
History
Alevrada appears as a community immediately after the war of independence and the coming of the king Otto. The origin of the name "Alevrada" is unknown. May be it derives from the word "Alevri"
(which in Greek means flour) because of the flour mills which were scattered across the banks of the river Achelous. Another interpretation is that a person with the surname "Alevradas" was the first inhabitant of the place. The villagers cultivated as well a lot of corn fields due to the abundance of water from the river. So there was plenty of corn flour which can explain the name "Alevrada" (the village which has a lot of alevri = flour).
During the war for independence there were very few people living in the area (mostly shepherds).
That time the village was 2 kilometers far from today's place.The name "palichoraki = old village" reminds this event.
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
located in the North West part of Aetolia-Acarnania
Aetolia-Acarnania
Aetolia-Acarnania is one of the regional units of Greece. It is part of the region of West Greece. It is located in the western part of Greece; the regional unit is a combination of the geographic regions Aetolia and Acarnania. Its capital is Missolonghi for historical reasons, with its biggest...
near the dam of the river Achelous
Acheloos River
The Achelous , also Acheloos, is a river in western Greece. It formed the boundary between Acarnania and Aetolia of antiquity. It empties into the Ionian Sea...
and the artificial lake Kremasta
Kremasta (lake)
Lake Kremasta is the largest artificial lake in Greece. The construction of the dam of Kremasta was completed in 1969 concentrating waters from four rivers: Acheloos, Agrafiotis, Tavropos and Trikeriotis. The water that is accumulated in the artificial lake is about 4,700,000,000 m³...
. The village belongs to the municipal unit of Inachos
Inachos, Greece
Inachos is a former municipality in Aetolia-Acarnania, West Greece, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Amfilochia, of which it is a municipal unit. It is located in the northernmost part of Aetolia-Acarnania. Its land area is 585.382 km². Its population...
. The village has about 117 inhabitants (see 2001 census results). The altitude of the village is 573 m. above sea level.
Alevrada is located on the provincial road GR-38
Greek National Road 38
Greek National Road 38 is a highway linking the cities of Agrinio, Karpenisi and Lamia. It is the only highway linking Agrinio and Larissa because GR-30 is narrow. The highway passes into the reservoir of the Acheloos river and into the Pindus ranges. It later passes through Karpenisi and into...
which connects Agrinio
Agrinio
Agrinion is the largest city and municipality of the Aetolia-Acarnania peripheral unit of Greece, with 96,321 inhabitants. It is the economical center of Aetolia-Acarnania, although its capital is the town of Mesolonghi. The settlement dates back to ancient times...
with Karpenisi
Karpenisi
Karpenisi is a town in central Greece. It is the capital of the peripheral unit of Evrytania. The area around Karpenisi is mountainous while farmlands are mainly in valley areas....
and Lamia. Alevrada's boundaries are with the former communities: 1. Petrona to the West and 2. Triklino
Triklino
Triklino , is a small mountain village . It is located in the northwest part of Greece and belongs to Aetolia-Acarnania. The artificial lake "Kremasta" is the boundary of the village with neighbouring Evrytania. The village belongs to the Inachos municipal unit...
to the East. The Achelous River divided the area of the village from Tatarna (Evrytania
Evrytania
Evrytania is one of the regional units of Greece. It is part of the region of Central Greece. Its capital is Karpenisi .-Geography:...
prefecture) and the village of Chouni (Trichonida Province).
The construction of the Kremasta dam (see below) over the Acheloos river and the formation of a huge artificial lake caused a dramatic decrease of the population of the area. This was due to the lost of land available for cultivation since most of it has been covered with water.
In the area of Kremasta (where the famous "Jump of Katsantonis" was located) the Greek Electric Company (ΔΕΗ) constructed a huge dam (160 m. high) and the famous mineral thermal springs were covered under the dam. After the construction, the mineral water flowed down of the dam and the springs formed again at a place known to the local people as Gria Maria.
Over the dam passes the provincial road which connects Alevrada with Chouni of the Trichonida province. This road is in bad condition. A new road which connects Alevrada with Evrytania through Tatarna Bridge
Tatarna Bridge
The Tatarna Bridge is a modern bridge over the Kremasta artificial lake. The bridge connects the Valtos province of Acarnania with the Evrytania prefecture. In the same place there was a 17th century historical and famous old arch stone bridge . The name Tatarna comes from a nearby monastery...
has recently completed.
History
Alevrada appears as a community immediately after the war of independence and the coming of the king Otto. The origin of the name "Alevrada" is unknown. May be it derives from the word "Alevri"
(which in Greek means flour) because of the flour mills which were scattered across the banks of the river Achelous. Another interpretation is that a person with the surname "Alevradas" was the first inhabitant of the place. The villagers cultivated as well a lot of corn fields due to the abundance of water from the river. So there was plenty of corn flour which can explain the name "Alevrada" (the village which has a lot of alevri = flour).
During the war for independence there were very few people living in the area (mostly shepherds).
That time the village was 2 kilometers far from today's place.The name "palichoraki = old village" reminds this event.
Alevrada
Alevrada village has 2 churches (΄Αγιος Γεώργιος και Κοίμηση της Θεοτόκου) but not a priest in a regular basis. It also has a small museum of regional significance. The school closed (some years ago) due to the lack of pupils. The population is about 77 (see 2001 census results.Kremasta Sykias
Kremasta Sykias (Greek: Κρεμαστά Συκιάς) is a small settlement near the Kremasta dam on the river Acheloos, south of Alevrada. The altitude is 450 meters. The population is 20 (2001 census). Kremasta Sykias has a small church in the name of the "Agia Paraskevi".Pistiana
Pistiana is a small settlement east of Alevrada. Pistiana is located 640 meters above the sea level. The population is 20 (2001 census).Historical population
| Year | Population | Change (village) |
|---|---|---|
| 1961 | 700 (village) | - |
| 1981 | 341 (village) | about -450/about - 57.37% |
| 1991 | 185 (village) | -156/-45.75% |
| 2001 | 101 (village) | -84/-45.405% |
External links
- Alevrada on GTP Travel Pages (in English and Greek)