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ASTAKOS (Small town) ETOLOAKARNANIA
Modern Astakos is hidden in the cove of a picturesque bay on the coast
of Western Greece, surrounded by the shores and small islands of Ehinades, where
the famous naval battle took place known as the battle of Lapante(1571A.D.) The
city has a unique neo-classical grandeur and a very particular liveliness. During
all historical periods Classical, Hellenistic-Byzantine Astakos is present. Especially
during the classical and Hellenistic period it presents its greatest peak and
the fact that it had its own currency is characteristic of its prosperity. The
ruins of the ancient city, with the temple of Karaou Zeus as its most characteristic
monument, as well as the elements of later historical periods are situated at
the place of Kastra Gravas, north-west of the modern city of Astakos, near the
historical monastery of Ai-Lia. This is also the place where Georgios Karaiskakis
encamped.
Its economic prosperity since the middle of the last century - during
which the foundation of modern Astakos took place by city plan of Bavarian architects
in 1862 - was due to the sea and the commerce of acorn. In fact, in the inner
part of the city there is one of the greatest Oak-tree forests in the Balkans.
Remains of this economic prosperity are the old mansions which characterise the
appearance of the city and along with the port were the reason to declare the
city of Astakos a HISTORICAL SITE and these buildings along with others to be
Landmarks. The residents' activities in agriculture, stock-raising and fishery,
the presence of commerce and social services that serve the area as well as the
activity at the port give the whole city a special kind of vivacity. Astakos promises
its visitors a pleasant stay.
ASTAKOS (Ancient city) ETOLOAKARNANIA
Astakos: Eth. Anstakenis, Astakios. a town on the W. coast of Acarnania,
on the bay now called Dragamesti, one side of which is formed by the promontory
anciently named Crithote. The ruins of Astacus are probably those described by
Leake as below a monastery of St. Elias, and which he supposes to be those of
Crithote. There was, however, no town Crithote, but only a promontory of this
name; and Leake has misunderstood the passage of Strabo, in which Crithote is
mentioned. Astacus is said to have been a colony of Cephallenia. At the commencement
of the Peloponnesian war, it was governed by a tyrant, named Evarchus, who was
deposed by the Athenians (B.C. 431), but was shortly afterwards restored by the
Corinthians. It is mentioned as one of the towns of Acarnania in a Greek inscription,
the date of which is subsequent to B.C. 219.
This text is from: Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography (1854) (ed. William Smith, LLD). Cited May 2004 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains interesting hyperlinks
ASTAKOS (Small town) ETOLOAKARNANIA
A nice coastal small town with 2,563 residents, built in an amphitheatric
way at the innermost part of the homonymous gulf. It is 50 km. from Messolongi.
Sights
Ruins of Venetian castles, remains of an ancient city, signs of an
aqueduct, the temple of Zeus, graves of lords, the monastery of the prophet Elias
- 7 km. from the village and Karaiskakis' headquarters. Also, there is the cave
of Cyclops, 1 km. from Astakos.
This text is cited December 2004 from the West Greece Region General Secretariat URL below, which contains image.
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