Klepa, Aitoloakarnania

Klepa (Κλεπά) Aitoloakarnania

Klepa is the main village of the Municipal Unit of Platanos of the Municipality of Nafpaktia in the Regional Unit of Aitoloakarnania, in the heart of the area of ​​Kravaron, built on the north bank of the river Evinos. It has an altitude of 780 m [1], and is surrounded by the mountains Kokkinia (1832 m), Karavaki (1547 m) and Xerovouni (1415 m). It is connected by road with Nafpaktos and Thermo, but also with Karpenisi and Lamia. It has about 40 permanent residents. It consists of three districts built amphitheatrically around the small tributary Mega Rema.

Etymology

The village probably owes its name to a Slavic root, which means "fertile place". However, according to the oral traditions, the name of the village may be due to the Apostle Cleopas who passed through the area and built a temple in the place where Clepa is today.
History

Coins of the Hellenistic and Roman periods have been discovered in the area, an inscription with the phrase: LYKORMA HAIRE, a golden serpent resemblance and several ancient tombs that testify to the settlement of people in the area from ancient times. From 1763 to 1770 the village was abandoned by its inhabitants because they could not pay the taxes imposed by the Ottoman administration.

The villagers took part in the Greek Liberation Struggle of 1821-1827, contributing ammunition, while taking advantage of the village's particularly strategically important position. Klepa has a large number of natural caves located around it, among steep cliffs. These caves served as hideouts and strongholds, providing the inhabitants of Klepa with offensive and defensive advantages from the same position, during military confrontations in the area.

Administration

After the liberation in 1821, Klepa originally belonged to the province of Kravara. In 1833 in the province of Nafpaktia, in 1835 in the Municipality of Arachovi, in 1836 in the Municipality of Proschi, from 1868 to 1912 in the Municipality of Klepaidos. The capital of the Municipality of Klepaidos was Klepa and it included the villages of Klepa, Arachova, Neochori, Dendrochori (formerly Ternova), Livadaki (formerly Avorani), Diplatano (formerly Terpitsa) and Perdikovrisi (formerly Sinista)]. From 1912 until the forced unification of the communities (Kapodistrias) it was the Community of Klepa.

Economy

The villagers are engaged in agriculture and animal husbandry, silkworm breeding for silk production, viticulture and tobacco growing.

Flora and fauna

In Klepa is the southernmost distribution point of the genus Figos (commonly: beech) in Europe, while in the wider area the forests are dense and consist of firs, oaks, plane trees and chestnuts. It has many springs and overlooks Lake Evin.

Wolves, deer, wild boars, wildcats, foxes, badgers, weasels, ferrets and squirrels live in the forests of Klepa, while bears have reappeared in the wider area. In the mountains that surround it, large and rare predators have their nests such as the golden eagle, the serpent and others (the eagle owl, owls of the Tutonidae family, etc. In the riverside forests of the area in the spring find refuge in Aidonia, Koukoi and The woodpeckers, the Pardalokitsiklitara, Mesotsiklitara and Lefkonototsiklitara, also find shelter in the forests.

References

"Klepa of Aitoloakarnania". buk.gr. Retrieved on August 8, 2016.

Sources

Municipality of Platanos

Municipal unit Platanos
Community Agios Dimitrios
Agios Dimitrios (Άγιος Δημήτριος, ο)
Community Arachova
Arachova (Αράχοβα, η)
Kranes (Κρανές, ο)
Community Achladokastro
Achladokastro (Αχλαδόκαστρον, το)
Community Dendrochori
Dendrochori (Δενδροχώρι, το)
Community Kastania
Kastania (Καστανέα, η)
Community Klepa
Klepa (Κλεπά, η)
Community Livadaki
Livadaki (Λιβαδάκι, το)
Community Neochori Nafpaktias
Neochori (Νεοχώρι, το)
Petroto (Πετρωτό, το)
Community Perdikovrysi
Perdikovrysi (Περδικόβρυση, η)
Community Perista
Perista (Περίστα, η)
Community Platanos
Kato Platanos (Κάτω Πλάτανος, ο)
Platanos (Πλάτανος, ο)
Community Chomori
Αγία Τριάς, η
Chomori (Χόμορη, η)