Kryoneri is located in the western part of the prefecture of Corinthia, 42 km southwest of Corinth and is administratively part of the Municipality of Sikyonia. It is 13 km far away from Kiato and is built at an altitude of 749 m above sea level. 961 inhabitants were counted in 2001 and the boundaries of Kryoneri include an area of 25,000 acres. It is mainly located on two slopes which are crossed by a stream that originates from the central fountain of the village, Ano Krini, and is a branch of the river Ellison. During the period of the Turkish occupation the settlement was spread to the right and left of the Upper Fountain while houses are still preserved today near the Lower Fountain where the inhabitants used the water of the river for water supply, irrigation (they carried water with clay pitchers and barrels) and for washing (mainly clothes).
The village was founded during the Ottoman times and most of the inhabitants came from neighbouring villages which were abandoned such as Rapsomati, Tzami and Lehova. It is certain that there must have been a small settlement in the area that was a continuation of habitation from antiquity as in this area cemetery building remains have been found: an early Christian basilica (6th century AD), while on the right and towards the river Ellisonas several graves of the pre-Christian (Mycenaean period 1250 BC) and Christian times have come to light. Among the oldest churches of the village are the church of Panagia in the cemetery and the church of Panagia in Rapsomati (probably the central church that existed there). The previous name of the village was Matsani – as the Turks had named it.
The word Matsani indicates a village or pasture located between two rivers, which fits the geomorphology of our village. Probably the name was given by the Franks who had conquered the western and northern Peloponnese (1204 – 1430). Around 1405 Theodore I Palaiologos allowed 10,000 Albanian Christians to enter the Peloponnese with their flocks because the Peloponnese had a great loss of population due to an epidemic of black plague. In 1960 the name Kryoneri was given after a decision of the community council – the reason was the cold and abundant water that existed and still exists.
From the written sources it appears that during the revolution of 1821 and the battles that followed for the liberation of Greece, Kolokotronis had established the soldiers’ supply centre in Matsani, while the headquarters was in Souli.
Matsani had the most inhabitants compared to the neighbouring villages in the past and a school was quickly established here at the beginning of the 20th century. During the wars of the 20th century (World Wars I and II and the resistance against the Turkish invasion of Cyprus) many Kryonerians paid with their blood for the liberation of their homeland. Today the central church of the village is the Agia Triada, a stone basilica built at the end of the 19th century.
Kryoneri is the main village of the region and one of the largest villages of semi-mountainous Corinthia, with a purely agricultural economy where mainly olives and raisins (Corinthian and Sultanina) are cultivated. It has a Kindergarten, Primary School and High School as well as a rural clinic. The village is surrounded by rich natural flora (mainly pine trees) and near to Kryoneri, on Mount Vesiza, there is the Byzantine monastery of Lehova which is a Byzantine monument of the 9th-10th century (4 km outside the village). In the area of Kryoneri is also the observatory, one of the most important scientific and research centers of the country.
Kryoneri has developed a tradition of cultural initiatives, like the small theatre next to the upper fountain in an idyllic landscape where an incredible acoustic is remarkable. Of particular interest are the cultural events of a week at the end of July organized by the regional Cultural Association. Also an important cultural position is the festival that takes place on 22 and 23 August on the feast of Panagia.
Noteworthy is the existence and activity of the Youth Volunteers of Kryoneri who work together with young volunteers from Europe. They are not only pioneers in intercultural communication issues but also contributes to social participation activities.
With about a thousand inhabitants, Kryoneri looks forward with optimism to the new century and the prospects that open up in it as it has a significant wealth, a great and thriving youth
Working group
Sixth grade of primary school 2004-05
Amalia Economou
Orestis Anagnostopoulos
George Giannakainas