Krokees
Encyclopedia
Krokees is a village and a former municipality
in Laconia
, Peloponnese, Greece
. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Evrotas
, of which it is a municipal unit. Population 2,824 (2001).
and Pelasgian tribes. Later around 1100 BC, along with the rest of Laconia, the town was taken over by the Dorians.
In antiquity, Krokees was famous for its beautiful forest green Volcanic stone with green and golden spots (Porphyry) known as "Krokeatis Lithos" (Krokean stone). This stone, an image of which we used to create our front web page, is unique to the area of "Psiphi" of Krokees. Although this stone is very difficult to work with and shape, it was widely used for decorating wealthy homes and for creating beautiful pots and vases. It was also used to decorate public bathhouses such as the ones in Corinth, the Church of St. Sophia in Constantinople and the Church of St. Paul in the Vatican. The simple tomb of the 300 Spartans in Thermopylae
is also made with Krokean stone. Dioskouri (The son's of Dias or Zeus) were the Gods/protectors of the ancient town of Krokeai. A marble plaque of Dioskouri, which was excavated in recent times, adorns the fountain in the central square of the town. The modern town of Krokees has approximately 1200 inhabitants. In the early 50s its population was over 3000. Its people are distinguished by their progressive lifestyles and cultural activities .The town has elementary, middle and high schools, a Philharmonic (Marching Band), its own Newspaper "The Krokees" and the periodical "Deikilon", a magazine on the arts & theater of Laconia.
The town has many cultural organizations and the soccer team "Krokeatikos" which is one of the oldest in Laconia. Krokees is famous for its Extra virgin Olive Oil produced by its Agricultural Cooperative. The "Krokees Lakonias" low acidity and of exceptional taste olive oil is a protected European Union brand and is recognized as one of the best quality olive oils in the world. The annual Karnavali (Mardi-gras), which started in 1962, is well known to all of Hellas (Greece). Many professionals, scientists and artists have sprung out of this little town, among them the famous Greek poet Nikiforos Vrettakos. During the 20th century, many Krokeates (Krokeans, Levetsovites) moved to Athens, however many more, like so many other Greeks immigrated mainly to the United States, Canada and Australia.
Communities and Municipalities of Greece
For the new municipalities of Greece see the Kallikratis ProgrammeThe municipalities and communities of Greece are one of several levels of government within the organizational structure of that country. Thirteen regions called peripheries form the largest unit of government beneath the State. ...
in Laconia
Laconia
Laconia , also known as Lacedaemonia, is one of the regional units of Greece. It is part of the region of Peloponnese. It is situated in the southeastern part of the Peloponnese peninsula. Its administrative capital is Sparti...
, Peloponnese, Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Evrotas
Evrotas (municipality)
Evrotas is a municipality in the Laconia peripheral unit, Peloponnese Periphery, Greece. It is named after the river Eurotas. The seat of the municipality is the town Skala.-Municipality:...
, of which it is a municipal unit. Population 2,824 (2001).
History
The town Krokees or Levetsova or Krokeai as it used to be called, is a small town located south of Sparta between the mountains of Taygetos and Parnon of Laconia the most southern prefecture of the Peloponnese and mainland Greece. In ancient times (Bronze Age), Krokees was inhabited by the AchaeanAchaeans (tribe)
The Achaeans were one of the four major tribes into which the people of Classical Greece divided themselves. According to the foundation myth formalized by Hesiod, their name comes from Achaeus, the mythical founder of the Achaean tribe, who was supposedly one of the sons of Xuthus, and brother of...
and Pelasgian tribes. Later around 1100 BC, along with the rest of Laconia, the town was taken over by the Dorians.
In antiquity, Krokees was famous for its beautiful forest green Volcanic stone with green and golden spots (Porphyry) known as "Krokeatis Lithos" (Krokean stone). This stone, an image of which we used to create our front web page, is unique to the area of "Psiphi" of Krokees. Although this stone is very difficult to work with and shape, it was widely used for decorating wealthy homes and for creating beautiful pots and vases. It was also used to decorate public bathhouses such as the ones in Corinth, the Church of St. Sophia in Constantinople and the Church of St. Paul in the Vatican. The simple tomb of the 300 Spartans in Thermopylae
Thermopylae
Thermopylae is a location in Greece where a narrow coastal passage existed in antiquity. It derives its name from its hot sulphur springs. "Hot gates" is also "the place of hot springs and cavernous entrances to Hades"....
is also made with Krokean stone. Dioskouri (The son's of Dias or Zeus) were the Gods/protectors of the ancient town of Krokeai. A marble plaque of Dioskouri, which was excavated in recent times, adorns the fountain in the central square of the town. The modern town of Krokees has approximately 1200 inhabitants. In the early 50s its population was over 3000. Its people are distinguished by their progressive lifestyles and cultural activities .The town has elementary, middle and high schools, a Philharmonic (Marching Band), its own Newspaper "The Krokees" and the periodical "Deikilon", a magazine on the arts & theater of Laconia.
The town has many cultural organizations and the soccer team "Krokeatikos" which is one of the oldest in Laconia. Krokees is famous for its Extra virgin Olive Oil produced by its Agricultural Cooperative. The "Krokees Lakonias" low acidity and of exceptional taste olive oil is a protected European Union brand and is recognized as one of the best quality olive oils in the world. The annual Karnavali (Mardi-gras), which started in 1962, is well known to all of Hellas (Greece). Many professionals, scientists and artists have sprung out of this little town, among them the famous Greek poet Nikiforos Vrettakos. During the 20th century, many Krokeates (Krokeans, Levetsovites) moved to Athens, however many more, like so many other Greeks immigrated mainly to the United States, Canada and Australia.