Kato Samiko

Kato Samiko Κάτω Σαμικό
Location
Kato Samiko
Coordinates	37°33′N 21°36′E / 37.55°N 21.6°E / 37.55; 21.6Coordinates: 37°33′N 21°36′E / 37.55°N 21.6°E / 37.55; 21.6
Government
Country:	Greece
Region:	West Greece
Regional unit:	Elis
Municipality:	Andritsaina-Krestena
Municipal unit:	Skillounta
Population statistics (as of 2001)
Community
- Population:	531
Other
Time zone:	EET/EEST (UTC+2/3)

Kato Samiko (Greek: Κάτω Σαμικό) is a small village in the municipal unit of Skillounta, Elis, Greece. Its 2001 population was 475 for the village and 531 for the municipal district.

Nearest places

• Kaiafa, south
• Raches, northwest
• Samiko, west

Settlements

• Kleidi
• Fragkokklisia

Population

Year	Settlement population	Population municipal district
1981	416	-
1991	515	-
2001	475	531

Location

Kato Samiko is located south of Patras, west-southwest of the capital city of Athens, south-southeast of Pyrgos, south of Krestena, north-northwest of Zacharo, northwest of Kalamata. The GR-9 (E55, Patras - Pyrgos - Kyparissia) is 2 to 3 km to the west. and north of Kyparissia

History

Its origin of the name dates back to the ancient times as simply Samiko and Samikon, its was also known as Sami (Σάμη), Samos mainly no relation with the island), Samia (Σαμία), Makistos (Μάκιστος), Arini (though there is a nearby modern settlement with the same name located east-southeast), it was located in the ancient country of Kaukonai in Trifyllia. In Makistos, Atreus and Thyestes arrived and removed Pelops from Pisa. During the Pausanias, the city was known as Samia. Between the split of the Roman Empire into two and the Ottoman rule, nothing much was known about Samiko from that time, it was no longer a city and was mainly abandoned. It became a part of Greece after the Greek War of Independence. After World War II and the Greek Civil War, its buildings were rebuilt. Samiko became connected with asphalt in the 1960s. More pavement was accessed in the late 20th century. Electricity, radio and automobiles were introduced in the mid-20th century, television in the late-20th century and computer and internet at the turn of the millennium.

Kato Samiko was devastated by a tremendous fire that happened in the evening hours on Friday August 24, 2007, it dramatically spread quickly and burnt about 10 km² of land in hours. The fire reached the olive groves and some forests in the early evening hours, then into the farmlands during the evening newscasts, it hit the national highway an hour and two later and hours later, the village. Electricity and phone lines were disrupted and then cut off. The rest occurred in Samiko. Firefighters, choppers and planes battled the blaze well into several days, several were on rural roads. The weather reported high winds and dry weather conditions which made the flames difficult to stop and ease. Several homes were burnt, most of them were safe, olive groves will be replanted and recently, vegetable farming has been restored.

See also

• List of places in the Ilia prefecture

External links

• Kato Samiko at the GTP Travel Pages

References