Ilia
Capital: Pyrgos
Main areas are: Amaliada, Lechena, (Ancient) Olympia, Pyrgos, Zacharo.
According to Pausanias , the first king of the region was Aethlios , who was succeeded by his son Endynion and grandson Epeios . The later gave his name to the inhabitants, who were called Epeians. When Epeios’ nephew Eleios inherited the throne, the name of the district was changed to Eleia and the inhabitants Eleians, and that is what they have been called ever since.
Important landmarks of the prefecture are the lakes of Kaiafa, Agoulinitsa and Mouria (the last two have been drained). Also, important is the ecosystem of the lagoon of Kotychi . There is a plethora of medicinal springs with most important those of Kyllini, Kayafa, Frasinia, Xylokera, Pournari etc.
The wonderful coastline landscape, is strewn with beautiful beaches. Most important and most beautiful is the Kayafa beach, while to the north there are the beaches of Arkoudi, Glyfa, Bouka and Manolada. In general, the natural environment of the prefecture is characterized by a rich diversity of flora and fauna, pine tree forests and cypress trees in the sub-mountainous areas and the plains, while little picturesque villages are scattered all over the prefecture.
Pyrgos
In the evenings the residents of this little town congregate in the flagstone paved main square lined by cafes and pastry shops. In the narrow alleyways, small taverns and grills serve up local delicacies, savour tidbits from Ilia’s fertile soil.
The greatest city of the province is Amaliada
Zacharo
Zacharo is 320 km far from Athens and around 1 hour from the port of Patras. Ancient Olympia Kaiafas Agia Ekaterini
On the eastern shore, the famous mineral waters gush from two caves formed by crevices in the rocks. The larger one is called the cave of the Anigrides , the smaller the Geranion grotto, dwelling places of nymphs since antiquity. The place is strangely beautiful, delightful, though the outdoor of the springs does detract somewhat. It’ s hard indeed to draw yourself away such a sea.
One of the most important sanctuaries of antiquity, dedicated to the father of the gods Olympian Zeus. Olympia Olympic Games and also where they were held. During the games there was a truce in all regions of Greece for one month in order for everybody to be able to participate in the games. The first Olympic Games were held in 776 B.C. The area, of great natural beauty, has been inhabited uninterruptedly since the 3rd millenium B.C. and in the late Mycenaean period it became a religious centre.
The excavations at Olympia were begun in May 1829, two years after the battle of Navarino , by French archaeologists. The finds (metopes from the opisthodomus and parts of the metopes from the pronaos of the Temple of Zeus ) were transferred to the Louvre where they are still being exhibited. When the Greek government was informed of the looting of artifacts, the excavation was stopped. Excavations started again 45 years later by German archaeologists. The research is being continued to this day by the German Institute of Archaeology in Athens, and the Ephorate of Antiquities in Olympia.
The sanctuary of Olympia spreads around the green wooded feet of the Kronion hill, where the rivers Alpheios and Cladeos meet. The valley amongst the two rivers was in ancient times full of wild olive trees, poplars, oaks, pines and plane trees and it was these trees that gave the centre of the sanctuary the name Altis, meaning alsos (grove).
The Altis is the name given to the area in Olympia that comprises the main religious buildings, temples and votive offerings of the sanctuary. Out of the enclosure were the auxiliary buildings, priests’ houses, baths, the areas for the preparation of the athletes, guest houses along with other buildings.
In Olympia there is the museum of Olympic games, the museum of Olympia and the new archaeological museum. The visitor can admire findings from the sites of the games.
By bus: Intercity buses run daily from Athens to Pyrgos and Amaliada.By car: In order to go to Ilia by car
From Athens the distance is 313 km
By train: There are time-tables from Athens to Pyrgos.Coastally: There are daily time-tables from Kyllini to Zakynthos and Kefalonia.
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Pyrgos Municipality
26210 22404
Pyrgos Bus Station
26210 20600-1
Pyrgos Hospital
26210 82300/60
Athens Bus Station
210 5134110
Ilia Police
26210 81730-1
Pyrgos Railway Station
26210 22576
Pyrgos Police Station
26210 81762
Athens Railway Station
210 5131601
Pyrgos Traffic Police
26210 81742
Ancient Olympia Police Station
26240 22100
Pyrgos Tourist Police
26210 81764
Ancient Olympia Tourist Police
26240 22550
Kyllini Port Authority
26230 92211, 92000
