Kyllini

The small, beautiful seaside town and important port of Kyllini, with a rich history that is lost in the depths of the centuries, is located on the north-western edge of Ilia, 'conversing' daily through coastal shipping with the opposite Ionian islands, Zakynthos and Kefalonia.

Kyllini, during the longest period of antiquity, functioned as the port of Elis (Ilida), the capital of the state of the Eleans, with which it was connected by a road. As Pausanias (2nd c. AD) attests, its convenient and wind-sheltered bay, reinforced by piers, offered protection to ships from south-westerly winds. Thanks to this natural advantage, it seems that from ancient to modern times, this site did not cease from being used for the mooring of ships.

Already since prehistoric times, next to the port developed a town that received the name Kyllini, probably from Arcadians who came down from Mount Kyllini in Corinth, known today as Mount Ziria. From the ancient sources we learn that the port was walled in ancient times and here was also the naval station of the Eleans.

Kyllini, throughout antiquity, was the main gateway to the land of Eleia where, through its other port, the equally important port of Pheia near today's Katakolo, ships sailed from all the cities of the Greek world, transporting people and goods with final destination the greatest festival of Antiquity, the Olympic Games.

In the Middle Ages, in the 13th c., the Franks rebuilt the ancient port of the area and founded a new city, Glarentza (Clarentia, Clarence), which soon developed into one of the busiest ports in the Mediterranean. Glarentza also flourishes as a commercial and urban center of the Principality of Achaia also known as the Principality of Morea. It is the port of Andravida, the capital of the Principality and is located in close proximity to the Chlemoutsi castle (Château Clermont), which, in addition to being a princely residence, was the main fortress that protected the land and interests of the monarchs.

From the 15th c. the Principality of Achaia is in decay and the same is the fate of Glarentza which is rapined and abandoned.

Today, Kyllini and the surrounding area are a remarkable tourist destination, while every year thousands of vehicles and visitors pass through its port, which connects the southern Heptanese Islands with mainland Greece. Many of them choose to stay in the area and discover the beautiful beaches with their golden sands and the turquoise waters of the Ionian and become familiar with the great sights.
 

Copyediting: Ephorate of Antiquities of Ilia