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Magouliana

COUNTY: Arcadia MUNICIPALITY: Gortynos

Rain
4.9ºC

Population

0 - 100

Distance from nearest city

35-50km

TL;DR

A uniquely named village, with beautiful churches, a festival in August 15th, and a long history of resistance during the Greek Revolution.

Magouliana village was created between 1530 and 1600 after the union of five hamlets. Of all the villages of Peloponnese, Magouliana is the one built in the highest altitude, at 1,365 meters with approximately 280 residents. It is built amphitheatrically on the beautiful slope of Mount Mainalo, full of fir trees.

Its church, named Koimisis tis Theotokou (Dormition of the Mother of God) was built in the 17th century and it has one of the most beautiful wood-carved iconostasis, decorated with scenes from the Old and New Testament. Other notable churches can also be found such as the church of Agios Dimitrios (St. Dimitrios) and Prophitis Ilias (Prophet Ilias).

The village contributed a lot during the Greek struggle for Independence. On July 5th 1825, the village was completely destroyed by Ibrahim’s forces. In 1928, through donations, the Soldier’s Mother Sanatorium was built outside the village for the Greek army’s soldiers with tuberculosis.

Every year on August 15th the village organizes a big festival next to Ai Giannis (St. Giannis). The name Magouliana is unique in Greece and it is only mentioned once during the Turkish rule.