The village of Sykia

It is no coincidence that Sykia was the chosen holiday haven of world famous poets such as Sikelianos and Kariotakis and that it is also called “the anchorage of poets” («το αραξοβόλι των ποιητών»). Nature has been kind to the small sleepy village, adorning it with a beautiful half-moon-shaped pebbly beach; a pine forest which reaches down to the sea front; unspoiled views of Central Greece on the opposite side of the Gulf of Corinth; and unique mountain formations in its hinterland.
In ancient times, Sykia was a harbor from where the produce of the nearby mountain villages was exported to other Greek cities. It remained a harbor during Byzantine and Frankish times, called St Nicholas of Sykia. During the Ottoman occupation its name was changed to “Pyrgos”, meaning castle. It took that name from the castle of Halil Agas, its Ottoman governor, which can still be admired on Sykia’s main street. After a period of cultural renaissance in the 19th century, Sykia today has less than 700 inhabitants who
live off their land, where they cultivate citrus fruits.
Sykia is famous among locals for its long pebble beach, which has been awarded a Blue Flag every year for the past years and seafront promenade, full of typical Greek tavernas.

There are five building which you should not miss seeing in Sykia: the primary school, the holiday home of poet Aggelos Sikelianos , the family home of poet Konstantinos Kariotakis, the medieval castle of Ottoman ruler Halil Agas and the home of rich local raisin merchant Andreas Zouzoulas .

The holiday home of poet Angelos Sikelianos and his wife Eva Palmer, is at the entrance of the Pefkias pine forest, just meters away from the hotel. The house was bought in the 1950s by tycoon Spiros Typaldos and is today the reception of the nearby hotel “Sikyon Beach”.

The family home of poet Konstas Kariotakis is on the beach of Sykia, just meters away from Daphne’s Club. It is a beautiful example of early 20th century Greek architecture. The house is now abandoned, after the sudden death of all remaining family members.

The mediaval castle of Ottoman ruler Halil Agas is also abandoned today. It dates back to the 17th century.

The primary school of Sykia, now abandoned, was built in the late 19th century. Today, the few children that still in Sykia go to school in nearby Xylokastro.

Sykia in the press

"Συκιά Κορινθίας, ένα χωριό σαν ζωγραφιά"

Περιοδικό "Δώδεκα-Δεκαπέντε"

Τεύχος 6

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