Leonidio

{{More citations needed|date=September 2023}} {{Infobox Greek Dimos |name = Leonidio |name_local = Λεωνίδιο |type = municipal unit |image_map = DE Leonidiou.svg |map_caption = Location within the regional unit |periph = [[Peloponnese (region)|Peloponnese]] |periphunit = [[Arcadia (regional unit)|Arcadia]] |municipality = [[South Kynouria]] |pop_municunit = 5315 |pop_community = 3792 |population_as_of = 2021 |area_municunit = 418.7 |area_community = 102.7 |elevation = 40 |coordinates = {{coord|37|10|N|22|51|E|format=dms|display=inline,title}} |postal_code = 223 00 |area_code = 27570 |licence = ΑΡ |website = [http://www.leonidio.gr www.leonidio.gr]{{update inline|reason=Seems to be an alias for / redirect to South Kynouria's website.|date=February 2019}} |image_skyline = La Rivière Dafnon à Leonidio.jpg |caption_skyline = |city_flag = |city_seal = |districts = }}

'''Leonidio''' ({{langx|el|Λεωνίδιο}}, [[Katharevousa]]: Λεωνίδιον, [[Tsakonian language|Tsakonian]]: Αγιελήδι) is a town and a former municipality in [[Arcadia (regional unit)|Arcadia]], [[Peloponnese (region)|Peloponnese]], [[Greece]]. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality [[South Kynouria]], of which it is a municipal unit.<ref name=Kallikratis>{{Cite web|url=http://www.et.gr/idocs-nph/search/pdfViewerForm.html?args=5C7QrtC22wGYK2xFpSwMnXdtvSoClrL81-32jgAMSfbnMRVjyfnPUeJInJ48_97uHrMts-zFzeyCiBSQOpYnT00MHhcXFRTsb2fGphpq4MKX2ZkaHobySNnvZCNHXvYVvlf80XevW0Q.|title=ΦΕΚ B 1292/2010, Kallikratis reform municipalities|language=el|publisher=[[Government Gazette (Greece)|Government Gazette]]}}</ref> The municipal unit has an area of 418.65 km<sup>2</sup>, the community 102.67 km<sup>2</sup>.<ref name=stat01>{{cite web|url=http://dlib.statistics.gr/Book/GRESYE_02_0101_00098%20.pdf |publisher=National Statistical Service of Greece |title=Population & housing census 2001 (incl. area and average elevation) |language=el |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150921212047/http://dlib.statistics.gr/Book/GRESYE_02_0101_00098%20.pdf |archivedate=2015-09-21 }}</ref> It is considered a [[List of traditional settlements of Greece|traditional settlement]].

==Name== In the local [[Tsakonian language]], the only surviving descendant of [[Doric Greek]], the town is called ''Agie Lidi''.<ref>*{{cite journal|author=Nicholas, Nick.|title=A critical lexicostatistical examination of Ancient and Modern Greek and Tsakonian.|journal=Journal of Applied Linguistics and Lexicography|issue=1|year=2019|volume=1|pages=18–68|doi=10.33910/2687-0215-2019-1-1-18-68|doi-access=free}}. Page 19.</ref>

==Landscape== The town of Leonidio, with a population of 3,826, emerges from a spectacular landscape, bound by two abrupt mountainsides enclosing the town from the north and south. The River [[Dafnon]] passes through the town, and its banks are linked with three bridges. The town is capital of the [[Tsakonia]] region, notable for its cultural and [[Tsakonian language|linguistic particularities]], and the settlement itself offers striking and picturesque architecture; now a protected architectural site, there are very strict regulations for building within the town's limits.

===Plaka=== Plaka is the picturesque port of Leonidio, situated 4 km from the town. It functions mainly with the help of tourism, but a small fishing fleet is also to be found; a well-regarded beach lies 4 km across the shore. The port takes in a number of taverns and bars immediately adjacent to the sea, while every August, it also hosts the "Tsakonian [[Eggplant]] Festival", attracting well-known chefs from across [[Europe]] and achieving ever-growing popularity.

Leonidio is situated near the ancient city of [[Prasiae]], which was an important harbour for [[Sparta]] until its [[looting|ruin]] by the [[Athens|Athenians]] during the [[Peloponnesian War]].

===Modern era=== Today, Leonidio is a lively and colourful town, especially in summer months, as a result of newly developing tourism. Agriculture, nevertheless, remains a main source of income for its residents, and the benefits of the exploitation of the plain are irreplaceable. The town is also famous for its unusual [[Easter]] celebration, when the custom of ''aerostata'' (air balloons) attracts spectators. Greek comedy writer Dimitrios Psathas once recommended the virtues of passing: "..carnival in [[Patras]], and Easters in Leonidio".{{Citation needed|date=March 2016}}

In latter years it has become a well known tourist destination for [[rock climbing]].<ref name="Climb Europe – Rock climbing and walking in Europe and around the World">{{cite web | title=Leonidio rock climbing and sport climbing | website=Climb Europe – Rock climbing and walking in Europe and around the World | url=https://climb-europe.com/rockclimbingshop/rock-climbing-greece-leonidio | access-date=2022-01-05}}</ref>

==Geography== Leonidio is situated on the eastern coast of the [[Peloponnese]] and, although coastal, opening on to the Myrtoan Sea, it is also mainly mountainous, punctuated by the [[Parnon]]. Leonidio town itself, however, is to be found on the area's plain, which proves fertile and very important for the local economy, with its high level of agricultural employment. Apart from citrus fruit, pears, tomatoes and olives, the area's most famous and widely distributed product is the Tsakonian eggplant, characteristic in its sweet taste, and acknowledged and protected by the [[European Union]]. Three old windmills overlook the town.

[[File:Leonidio Panorama.jpg|thumb|center|700px|Panorama of Leonidio.]]

===Geology=== Thanks to its position on the mountain of [[Parnon]], the Leonidio municipality is home to a number of stunning [[geological formation]]s, such as the [[Peleta (Sinkhole)|Peleta Sinkhole]], and the [[Propantes]] pothole (a vertical [[cave]]).

==Demographics== Newly developing tourism is also a vital part of the area, with its scenic, clean beaches and breathtaking mountain scenery. Notably, the area is part of [[Tsakonia]], and the [[Tsakonian language]] is still spoken in some areas. Its communities take in the following: Leonidio, Vaskina, Agios Vasileios, Kosmas, Kounoupia, Mari, Paliochori, Paliochora, Peleta, Pigadi, Platanaki, [[Poulithra]], Pragmatefti, Tsitalia, and Vlisidia.

==See also== *[[List of settlements in Arcadia]] *[[List of traditional settlements of Greece]]

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons category|Leonidio}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20070202175117/http://arcadia.ceid.upatras.gr/arkadia/places/leonidio.htm Information about Leonidio] {{in lang|el}} *[http://leonidion.gr Info and news about Leonidio] {{in lang|el}} *[https://www.thecrag.com/climbing/leonidio Info about rock climbing in Leonidio]

[[Category:Populated places in Arcadia, Peloponnese]] [[Category:South Kynouria]] [[Category:Tsakonia]] [[Category:Climbing areas of Greece]]