Oichalia, Messenia Explained

Oichalia
Name Local:Οιχαλία
Type:municipality
Periph:Peloponnese
Periphunit:Messenia
Pop Municipality:8504
Area Municipality:415.4
Pop Municunit:1765
Area Municunit:59.1
Pop Community:363
Population As Of:2021
Coordinates:37.2333°N 24°W
Licence:ΚΜ

Oichalia (Greek, Modern (1453-);: Οιχαλία) is a village and a municipality in Messenia, Greece. The seat of the municipality is in Meligalas.[1] Oichalia is known for its rich expanse of olive trees and fig orchards. At its height the village boasted several cafes, a bustling farmer's market, and a popular open-air cinema run by the Limberopoulos family. Other families, such as the Hantzopoulos and Karbaliotis clans, the former a cobbler and the latter a butcher, helped make Oichalia the destination of choice for Messinians in need of footwear and quality meats.

Municipality

The municipality Oichalia was formed at the 2011 local government reform by the merger of the following 5 former municipalities, that became municipal units:[1]

The municipality has an area of 415.433 km2, the municipal unit 59.060 km2.[2]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: ΦΕΚ A 87/2010, Kallikratis reform law text. el. Government Gazette.
  2. Web site: Population & housing census 2001 (incl. area and average elevation). National Statistical Service of Greece. el.