Oitylo
Encyclopedia
Oitylo is a village and a former municipality
in Laconia
, Peloponnese, Greece
. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality East Mani
, of which it is a municipal unit. It is one of the oldest towns in the Mani Peninsula
. It was mentioned in the Iliad
by Homer
as Oetylοs (Οίτυλος), as part of Menelaus
' kingdom. In the Middle Ages
, Oitylo grew to become the most important town in Messenian Mani. The only town in Mani that rivaled Oitylos in numbers of pirates was Skoutari. Now Areopoli
has taken Oitylo's place as most important town in Laconian Mani. Areopoli was also the seat of the municipality of Oitylo, which is located on the western half of the Mani Peninsula in the extreme southwestern part of Laconia
. It has a land area of 218.582 km² and a population of 5,203 inhabitants. The 2001 census counted 91 villages in the municipality. The largest of these are Areópoli (pop. 774), Pyrgos Dirou (334), Oítylo (331), Álika (235), Vatheia (216), Váchos (189), and Koita
(160).
).
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 East Mani
East Mani
East Mani is a municipality in Laconia, Peloponnese, Greece. Its seat of administration is the town Gytheio. The municipality is located in the eastern part of the Mani Peninsula...
, of which it is a municipal unit. It is one of the oldest towns in the Mani Peninsula
Mani Peninsula
The Mani Peninsula , also long known as Maina or Maïna, is a geographical and cultural region in Greece. Mani is the central peninsula of the three which extend southwards from the Peloponnese in southern Greece. To the east is the Laconian Gulf, to the west the Messenian Gulf...
. It was mentioned in the Iliad
Iliad
The Iliad is an epic poem in dactylic hexameters, traditionally attributed to Homer. Set during the Trojan War, the ten-year siege of the city of Troy by a coalition of Greek states, it tells of the battles and events during the weeks of a quarrel between King Agamemnon and the warrior Achilles...
by Homer
Homer
In the Western classical tradition Homer , is the author of the Iliad and the Odyssey, and is revered as the greatest ancient Greek epic poet. These epics lie at the beginning of the Western canon of literature, and have had an enormous influence on the history of literature.When he lived is...
as Oetylοs (Οίτυλος), as part of Menelaus
Menelaus
Menelaus may refer to;*Menelaus, one of the two most known Atrides, a king of Sparta and son of Atreus and Aerope*Menelaus on the Moon, named after Menelaus of Alexandria.*Menelaus , brother of Ptolemy I Soter...
' kingdom. In the Middle Ages
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
, Oitylo grew to become the most important town in Messenian Mani. The only town in Mani that rivaled Oitylos in numbers of pirates was Skoutari. Now Areopoli
Areopoli
Areopoli is a town on the Mani Peninsula, Laconia, Greece. The word Areopoli means "city of Ares", the ancient Greek god of war. It was the seat of Oitylo municipality. Areopoli was called Tsimova by the invading Slavs during the 7th century AD...
has taken Oitylo's place as most important town in Laconian Mani. Areopoli was also the seat of the municipality of Oitylo, which is located on the western half of the Mani Peninsula in the extreme southwestern part of 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...
. It has a land area of 218.582 km² and a population of 5,203 inhabitants. The 2001 census counted 91 villages in the municipality. The largest of these are Areópoli (pop. 774), Pyrgos Dirou (334), Oítylo (331), Álika (235), Vatheia (216), Váchos (189), and Koita
Koita
Kitta or Koita is a village in Mesa Mani, Laconia, Greece. It is part of the municipal unit of Oitylo. It is built on top of a hill, overlooking the sea. Kitta is known for its many Maniot pyrgoi . Partially abandoned , it now has a population of around 50. Much of the population left between...
(160).
Subdivisions
The municipal unit Oitylo is subdivided into the following communities:- Alika
- Ano Boularioi
- AreopoliAreopoliAreopoli is a town on the Mani Peninsula, Laconia, Greece. The word Areopoli means "city of Ares", the ancient Greek god of war. It was the seat of Oitylo municipality. Areopoli was called Tsimova by the invading Slavs during the 7th century AD...
- Dryalos
- Germa
- GerolimenasGerolimenasGerolimenas , also Yerolimenas, is a picturesque small coastal village at the southern end of the Mani Peninsula, in the prefecture of Laconia, in the Peloponnese, Greece. Τhe name, which means "Old Harbour", is thought to derive from the ancient "Ιερός Λιμήν" , meaning "Sacred Harbor"...
- Kareas
- KelefaKelefaKelefa is a castle and village in Mani, Laconia, Greece. It is part of the municipal unit of Oitylo.-History:Kelefa was built by the Ottomans to contain the Inner Mani in 1670. 15 years later in 1685, the Maniots besieged the castle. They sent messengers to Venice so the Doge could send a fleet to...
- KoitaKoitaKitta or Koita is a village in Mesa Mani, Laconia, Greece. It is part of the municipal unit of Oitylo. It is built on top of a hill, overlooking the sea. Kitta is known for its many Maniot pyrgoi . Partially abandoned , it now has a population of around 50. Much of the population left between...
- Kounos
- Kryoneri
- Mina
- Neo Oitylo
- Oitylo
- Pyrgos Dirou
- Tsikkalia
- Vachos
- Vatheia
Historical population
| Year | Village | Municipal district | Municipality |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | - | 507 | - |
| 1991 | 313 | - | 4,985 |
| 2001 | 331 | 497 | 5,203 |
Other
Oitylo (community and municipality) has schools, lyceums, a few gymnasia, churches, a post office and a few squares (plateiesPlateia
Plateia or platia is the Greek word for town square. Most Greek and Cypriot cities have several town squares which are a point of reference in travelling and guiding...
).