Nafpaktos – Traditions and Events

Central Greece 5 June 2017 Like

OR Nafpaktos, located in N. Aitoloakarnania, Gulf of Corinth and belongs to the municipality Nafpaktia. It has been declared a traditional settlement. It is from Athens 218 km, from Patras 24 km, from Mesologi 44 km, from Arta 152 km, from Ioannina 220 km from Antirrio 10,7 km. Access from Athens is the MC. Athens - Patras and the Rio - Antirio bridge, either from mainland Greece through Livadia - Delphi - Itea.

Nafpaktos saved one of the best preserved fortresses in the country. It was built by the Venetians (16^th c.) on the ruins of the old Acropolis. features 5 defensive zones, with triple walls, extending from the port to the top of the hill of Lepanto, in the castle. The view from the castle is magnificent so it is worth to come here to take pictures. At the port, Right and left, preserved in very good condition, the 2 Round Tower Fort. If you walk in the small harbor you will see the iron cannons and statues of Captain George Anemogiannis and Miguel de Cervantes, author of "Don Quixote", who fought in Battle of Lepanto.

The battle took place on 7 October 1571 with European forces to clash with the Turkish fleet, at the mouth of Acheloos, the orifice of the vagina or Patraic Gulf of Lepanto, near Nafpaktos, achieving a great victory. Foreign historians, when referring to the fact, use the name Battle of Lepanto (Naval Battle of Lepanto), from the medieval name of the town.

OR Reenactment of the Battle celebrated every year in the municipality of Nafpaktos. Is with three-day celebration, with different events every time and ends with peal, pontifical function and procession of the Holy Cathedral of St.. Demetriou to the Historic Port of Nafpaktos.

EVENTS – FESTIVALS - EVENTS

International Choral Festival "Mikis Theodorakis", every 2 years (May), with the participation of Lepanto Mixed Choir and choirs from all over Greece and abroad. On this day established to awards given, by Jury, The best participants.
Feast of "Vlachs", custom farmers. Is the Feast of the Ascension (25 May) organized by the Cultural Association "Neokastro", source Chochlasti, spree. In the custom, because the day that were designated to protect farmers, farmers used to donate milk gouged, the priest of the village. The event involved other than farmers, which offer the meat and all the housewives of Neokastro, homemade pies, bread and yogurt.
Festival "Ai Giannis Rigana", in Molykreio, D. Nafpaktias (June), where jump over bonfires, against the custom and then feast and offered roast lamb. The Molykreio is in a beautiful forest and is from Nafpaktos 5 km
Feast "Bream", in Riza Beach (July), wherein baked bream and feast. The root belongs to Local Apartment Makyneia, former Antirrion and located in the beach front of Antirrio, in D.. Nafpaktias.
Celebration of "Trata", Lower Basilica, the feast of the Transfiguration (6 August) where grilled sardines in the village and a feast.
Feast "peeling", in Terpsithea region (through August), which revives the custom of peeling of maize and feast and dance. The Terpsithea is Nafpaktia, to Upper Town and is from Nafpaktos 45 km (about 1 hour).
Feast "Pylinios August", the entryway, D. Nafpaktias (August). The program includes musical evenings, Theatrical Performance, art exhibitions and sporting events.
Feast of 'Pie', made in Familia, Local Department of the Municipality Nafpaktia, along with the celebration of the "gate of Augustus'. The village women prepare traditional pies where the offer locals and visitors.
Feast "Mushroom", done in the schoolyard in Central Lepanto (in mid October). The Cultural Association organizes Worldwide Kentrikioton Nafpaktias, alongside "Manitarotechnis' report, the "Mushroom Festival". offered, free, except mushrooms, pies, sausages, bean soup and wine. Here gathered mushroom lovers from all over Greece and many visitors, to exchange knowledge and experiences on mushrooms, try mushroom varieties or look for wild mushrooms in the forest.
Festival "Chestnut -Tsipourou", in Upper Town (in mid-October). At the time the distillation of raki, roasted chestnuts, served sweets (baklava, ravani, buns,) sweets (cherry, chestnut, nut, Quince), local pies and boiled goat.
outdoor Bazaars, known as "The bazaars of Lepanto». Every year (26 October-November 1), Gribovo beach, with the participation of many merchants.
Custom Good Friday. The Good Friday night in Nafpaktos, during the procession of the Epitaphs, all Epitaphs, from various city parishes, meet at the harbor. Then turn off the lights and the fishermen start fires in the battlements of the Fortress, creating a solemn atmosphere. Alongside, singing hymns, go past the Epitaphs with believers. Then each Epitaph returns to the parish for the continuation of the Divine Liturgy.

SIGHTS

Venetian Fortress Lepanto
Stony Lighthouse, Located in the port of Lepanto and is part of the Fortress. Build it 1909 and a height of 8m.

Venetian Castle Antirrion or "Castelli Rumeli». Built on Morosini season (1686), who was the leader of the Venetians occupied the Peloponnese. The improved Venetians (1700) and then passed into the hands of the Turks until the release of Lepanto (1829). It is situated in a strategic point, with the Castle of Rio just across. It has rhombus shape and the central input is a tall hexagonal tower battlements. It is visible from the cable-stayed bridge of Rio - Antirio. The ferry boat that continue and make Rio route – Snapdragon, anchored right next to the Castle.
Fethiye Mosque, (Fethiye) or "Tme of Conquest». The Ottoman Mosque of Lepanto is located in the eastern breakwater of the Venetian Fortress in the harbor. It was built by Sultan Bayezid II. Veli, after the capture of the city (1499). Also it is known in the Ottoman sources as "Bagezinti Veli Mosque" by the name of Sultan. It is a square building with dome (9,12Ch9,13m.) today is the showroom.
Botsari tower, (15^th– 16^th c.), It belongs to the "Foundation Demetriou and Aigli Botsari". the 17^The century. immediately after the release of Lepanto (1829), this building came into the possession of Souli General Notis Botsari. You will see copies tables, maps and sketches related to the Battle of Lepanto.
statue of Miguel de Cervantes, the harbor of Lepanto.

old Mansions, stone houses in the historic city center.
Clock of Lepanto, in Bousaraion Street.
Stenopazaro, the road of flavors. Old called "street appetizers", because here there were taverns with food and good wine. Usually the people were coming PayDay, where they could eat well even in the morning hours.

COFFEE – FOOD

Just below the Castle are the cafeteria «Castello» where you can enjoy the view while sipping coffee. For good espresso will go to «BAR2», for the port coffee and food at «Centro Porto» and «Paradise». Exclusive dining recommend the : "Hot coals", "Ev-Wine", "Hustle and bustle", «Taste», "Homemade".

beaches

Psani, family beach with pebbles and trees for shade. approximately has a length 1 km and clean waters, as it has been repeatedly awarded the Blue Flag. Around the beach there are cafes and taverns.