Xylokastro Ξυλόκαστρο | |
|---|---|
 Partial view of Xylokastro beach (October 2019) | |
 Location within the regional unit | |
  Xylokastro | |
| Coordinates:38°4′N22°38′E / 38.067°N 22.633°E /38.067; 22.633 | |
| Country | Greece |
| Administrative region | Peloponnese |
| Regional unit | Corinthia |
| Municipality | Xylokastro-Evrostina |
| Area | |
| • Municipal unit | 310.3 km2 (119.8 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 3 m (9.8 ft) |
| Population (2021)[1] | |
| • Municipal unit | 12,102 |
| • Municipal unit density | 39.00/km2 (101.0/sq mi) |
| • Community | 5,601 |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+3 (EEST) |
| Postal code | 204 00 |
| Area code | 27430 |
| Vehicle registration | ΚΡ |
| Website | http://www.xylokastro-evrostini.gov.gr/ |
Xylokastro (Greek:Ξυλόκαστρο) is aseaside town and a former municipality inCorinthia in thePeloponnese,Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipalityXylokastro-Evrostina, of which it is a unit or component.[2] The municipal unit has an area of 310.252 km2.[3]
Geographic features include a long 2 km white pebbled beach and semi-arid forest on varied terrain, scattered with early churches and evidence of early settlements and religious sites. It has narrowly separated upper and lower coastal roads and forms a medium-sized touristic village on theGulf of Corinth. It is a popular coastal weekend location for many people of Athens.
The municipal unit Xylokastro is subdivided into the following communities (constituent villages in brackets):
| Year | Town population | Municipality population |
|---|---|---|
| 1700 | 65 | - |
| 1981 | 5,188 | - |
| 1991 | 5,821 | 16,802 |
| 2001 | 5,618 | 15,273 |
| 2011 | 5,715 | 13,277 |
| 2021 | 5,601 | 12,102 |
Xylokastro is situated on the coast of theGulf of Corinth, 30 km northwest ofCorinth, near the mouth of the riverTrikalitikos. Apart from the narrow strip of land along the coast, where the town Xylokastro lies, the municipal unit is mountainous. TheGreek National Road 8a (Corinth - Patras) passes through the town. TheXylokastro railway station is served by trains between Kiato and Aigio.
The town took its name from a wooden castle (Greek:ξύλινο κάστρο), probably built in the 13th century.[4] It was also known as Solo Castro.[5] The village Stylia was known asViladusa by theVenetians in the 18th century.[6]
Media related toXylokastro at Wikimedia Commons
