Vordonia
Encyclopedia
Vordonia is a small village in the base of Taygetos mountain, in Laconia
, Greece
. The village is divided into three communities (Campos, Kato Hora and Pano Hora) and is part of the municipality of Pellana. Most of the population left the village after the WWII
war and moved to Athens
, many migrated to other countries, primarily the USA and Australia. The origin of the name Vordonia is believed to be Villehardouin, a Frankish lord who became master of the Morea after the 4th Crusade sacked Constantinople and divided up the Byzantine Empire. Villehardouin located his capital at the town of Mystra some 10 km SW of Vordonia. The Crusader Castle located above the village lends credibility to this view. The American crime fiction author George Pelecanos traces his origins to his eponymous grandfather who migrated from Vordonia to Washington DC in the 1940s.
).
Vordonia and the surrounding areas are also renowned for their olive tree groves. The oil produced from the region is famous for its low acidity, organic cultivations, and care that the locals put into harvesting and pressing the olives.
Laconia
Laconia , also known as Lacedaemonia, is one of the regional units of Greece. It is part of the region of Peloponnese. It is situated in the southeastern part of the Peloponnese peninsula. Its administrative capital is Sparti...
, Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
. The village is divided into three communities (Campos, Kato Hora and Pano Hora) and is part of the municipality of Pellana. Most of the population left the village after the WWII
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
war and moved to Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
, many migrated to other countries, primarily the USA and Australia. The origin of the name Vordonia is believed to be Villehardouin, a Frankish lord who became master of the Morea after the 4th Crusade sacked Constantinople and divided up the Byzantine Empire. Villehardouin located his capital at the town of Mystra some 10 km SW of Vordonia. The Crusader Castle located above the village lends credibility to this view. The American crime fiction author George Pelecanos traces his origins to his eponymous grandfather who migrated from Vordonia to Washington DC in the 1940s.
Geography
- Postal code: 230 59
- Elevation:
- Centre: about 447 m
- Dialing code: 0030-27310
Historical population
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1981 | 474 |
| 1991 | 115 |
| 2001 | 393 |
Other
Vordonia has a small school, Vordonia has no gymnasion (middle school), the nearest is in Kastorio, seat of the municipality, as well as its secondary school. Vordonia has a post office and a small square (plateiaPlateia
Plateia or platia is the Greek word for town square. Most Greek and Cypriot cities have several town squares which are a point of reference in travelling and guiding...
).
Vordonia and the surrounding areas are also renowned for their olive tree groves. The oil produced from the region is famous for its low acidity, organic cultivations, and care that the locals put into harvesting and pressing the olives.
See also
- List of communities of Laconia