Nea Figaleia ( el, Νέα Φιγαλεία, before 1927: Zουρτσα - ''Zourtsa''
) is an historical town in Elis, that since the 2011 local government reform is a part of the municipality of
Zacharo,
Elis,
Peloponnese
The Peloponnese (), Peloponnesus (; el, Πελοπόννησος, Pelopónnēsos,(), or Morea is a peninsula and geographic regions of Greece, geographic region in southern Greece. It is connected to the central part of the country by the Isthmu ...
,
Greece. The town was the seat of the municipality of
Figaleia
Figaleia ( el, Φιγαλεία) is a mountain village and a former municipality in Elis, West Greece, Greece. Since the administrative reform of 2011 it is a municipal unit of the municipality of Zacharo. The municipal unit has an area of 89.175&n ...
until 2011 (
Kallikratis Programme).
[ Its average altitude is 480 meters above sea level. It has many churches, among which the predominantly old stone church St. Nicholas. The folklore museum and the community clinic are located along the main road. The main landscape is formed of olive trees and cypresses with a panoramic view towards the Ionian Sea.
]
History
Zourtsa's settlement probably dates back to the 11th century A.D.. Important document for the Zourtsa's history is the golden seal of Mystras, signed in 1321 by Andronikos II Palaiologos
, image = Andronikos II Palaiologos2.jpg
, caption = Miniature from the manuscript of George Pachymeres' ''Historia''
, succession = Byzantine emperor
, reign = 11 December 1282 –24 May 1328
, coronation = 8 Novembe ...
. Zourtsa undertaking a significant role during the Independence War of 1821. It was mentioned by the Turkish traveler Evliya Çelebi who visited the area between 1668 and 1671. He described it as a famous resort, full of springs, vineyards, gardens and 150 stone-built houses.
The town was renamed ''Kato Figalia'' in 1927, and ''Nea Figaleia'' in 1976.[
]
Population
See also
* List of settlements in Elis
External links
www.zourtsa.gr
References
{{Zacharo div
Populated places in Elis
Zacharo