Steni Dirfyos

Steni Dirfyos
Στενή Δίρφυος
Steni Dirfyos
Coordinates: 38°35′N 23°49′E / 38.583°N 23.817°E / 38.583; 23.817Coordinates: 38°35′N 23°49′E / 38.583°N 23.817°E / 38.583; 23.817
Country Greece
Administrative region Central Greece
Regional unit Euboea
Municipality Dirfys-Messapia
Municipal unit Dirfys
Population (2011)[1]
  Rural 392
Community
  Population 654
Time zone EET (UTC+2)
  Summer (DST) EEST (UTC+3)
Vehicle registration ΧΑ

Steni Dirfyos (Greek: Στενή Δίρφυος) formerly Ano Steni is a Greek village in Euboea. It is nearly located the centre of Euboea, 30 km northeast of Chalcis. It is built at a height of 440 m. in the slopes of mount Dirfys. Steni is part of Dirfys-Messapia municipality and is the seat of Dirfys regional unit. Its population is 392 inhabitants according to 2011 census.

History

Steni is built in the late 18th century (at about in 1790) by inhabitants of village Skounteri (nowadays Pyrgos).[2][3] During Ottoman occupation Skounteri was the seat of the local Ottoman governor (Beis). Skounteri has almost been depopulated the next years. In the short distance from Steni is located a big steep rock that named Kleisoura. During Ottoman period this place was the refuge of local anti-Ottoman insurgents known as Klepht.[3] After the Greek independence, Steni became the most important village of the mountainous central Euboea. The last years there was the seat of the local municipality of Dirfys as well as the seat of the local community that includes moreover the small villages Kato Steni and Pyrgos.

Historical population

Year Settlement Community
1991 796
2001 691926
2011 392 654

Tourism

The recent years the village has evolved as a popular destination for climbers and mountain hikers. In the village is the starting point of the path for the summit of Dirfys. There are also hiking paths towards the mountain refuges.[4]

Interesting sights near village is the old Byzantine church known as Palaiopanagia. The temple had very important hagiography frescoes that date from 16th century. Five of these were stolen in 1978 but they returned to Greece recently.[5][6] After the return the frescoes were exhibited in Byzantine Museum.[7]

References

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Friday, March 13, 2015. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.