Leonidio («Agielidi» in the tsakonian language) extends between the foothills of Mount Parnonas and the east coast of Myrtoon Sea. It is a town in Arcadia and it is the capital of the municipality of South Kynouria, It is 93 kilometres away from the capital of the district of Arcadia, Tripolis, and 210 kilometres away from Athens. Meanwhile it is the capital of the wider area which is known as «Tsakonia», which took its name from the tsakonian dialect that used to be spoken by its residents.
It is about a traditional settlement of rare beauty where the «red rock» dominates over it, an impressive red rock which is suitable for numerous activities. Leonidio is built by the banks of the river Dafnonas, which flows into the Myrtoon Sea and is filled by water only some days during the winter months. Two kilometres away from the town centre is the seaside settlement of Plaka, which constitutes the coastal area fo Leonidio. Right next to the port extends the beach of Lakkos, a wide beach, covered in pebbles, in a length of 2 kilometres.
Leonidio got its name after the chapel of Saint Leonida, which had already been mentioned since 1293 in the deccree of Andronikos B Palaiologos. The town was built in 1826 by the residents of Prastos -a mountainous village of Arcadia and former capital of Tsakonia- where the residents resorted after the catastrophe of their village by Imbraim.
Many descriptions have been attributed to Leonidio. According to the tradition, Kolokotronis described the village as the «Safe Place». while Pafsanias named it as «the garden of Dionisos». The residents themselves, the tsakones, are considered to be offsprings of the Dorieis of Lakonia, a fact which is justified by the use of the Tsakonian Dialect. It is about an ancient dialect, which introduces many deviations from the modern common greek language, and is acknowledged that it comes from the doric dialect which was spoken by the ancient residents of Lakonia. The special geomorfology of the ground made it difficult for many centuries to the Tsakonians to come into contact with other civilasations, and as a result the cultural and linguistic mixing were prevented, something which led to the fact that this special dialect is still preserved integrally nowadays. Even today we meet speciments of the Tsakonian dialect in many signs over the villages.
If anyone decides to visit Leonidio, they will definetely find many places in or away of the village to admire.
Apart from the impressive red rock, the mountain of Parnonas, the port of Plaka or the beach of Lakkos, which altogether compose a place of outstsnding beauty, there are the picturesque alleys, the arched bridges and the magnificent mansions that offer the visitors the opportunity for leisuring or exploring hiking in the village. There are some speciments of wonderful architecture which outstand in this traditional settlement, which are worth visiting, like the Tower of Tsikaliotis and the mansion of Tsouhlos.
Meanwhile, there are some other near destinations which are worth visiting. A few kilometres away from Leonidio stands the coastal village of Poulithra, where somebody can go
swimming and relax by eating fish and other appetizers at the coastal taverns of the region. Other near organised beaches are the beach of Sampatiki, the Tigani, the Livadi or Zaritsi. If someone wishes to go swimming in a queiter beach in the greenery. they can visit Thiopafto, the beach of Agios Georgios or Kisaka.
Apart from the seaside destinations, there are some other mountainous villages, ideal for hiking in the woods and tasty ood. In a close distance from Leonidio there are the villages of Tsitalia, Peleta, Pigadi and the picturesque village of Kosmas, which is located in an altitude of 1127 metres.
On the way to Kosmas you will meet the grand monastery fo Elona, which is dedicated to the Holy Mother, and it dominates built on a steep rock of Parnonas, giving to the visitor the impression that it is «stuck» in a rock. The monastery allows visitors every day, during morning hours. Another monastery of the region that you can visit is of Sintza, which is dedicated to Saint Nikolas. The monastery is built inside the shell of the steep rocks, giving the feeling that it is hanging.
The imposing red rock which dominates over the village forms the ideal destination for climbers all over the world, offering many and different well organised paths. Leonidio indeed is one of the top climbing destinations in Europe. Meanwhile, as it is surrounded by the woody sideways of Parnonas and the sea of Myrtoon, it is suitable for numerous other activities, such as climbing, hiking, cycling or swimming.
It is undoubtedly a blessed place with a soecial gastronomy interest, Besides the local fruit and vegetables, it is worth to taste the local goat cheese and milk butter, homemade pasta, the taditional pies, the spoon sweets, the local honey and wine, the wild grasses, the herbs and spices.
All this products can be provided by the local farmers and producers and can be tasted in traditional recipes at the restaurants of the area.
