PREFECTURE OF ILIA

The prefecture borders on Achaia, Arcadia, Messinia. The Ionian Sea is to the west of the prefecture.

Ileia was first populated in the Palaeolithic Times. According to mythology it was named after Ileio who reigned the area. The inhabitants were Pelasgi, Leleges, Arcades, Achaeans and Dorians. One of the most significant towns was Ilis, that played an important role in the conflicts - sometimes as an ally to Sparta and other times as an opponent. Ileia took part in the Trojan War.
Aetolians subjugated the population. Due to this fact, there is a peculiarity of the local dialect, which includes many Aetolian elements.
Ileians become independent again and include Olympia in their state, so that they can control the Olympic Games. During the Persian Wars they remained neutral and afterwards the regime of the state became democratic. In the Peloponnesian War, they entered into an alliance with Spartans, but later they were allied to Argeians. After they were defeated by the Spartans they were forced to go back to the Peloponnesian Alliance. After the battle in Lefktra, Ileians became independent once again. From 365 to 363 B.C., they fought against Arcadians and Macedonians. They entered the Aetolian Confederacy. In 191 B.C., they entered the Achaean Confederacy. In 145 B.C., they were subjugated to the Romans.
Constantinos Palaeologos help Ileia get rid of the Franks (1433). As a result it becomes the centre of Achaea's princedom - its capital was Andravida. The Turkish domination (1460-1687) is followed by the Venetian domination (1687-1715) which, in turn, is followed by the Turks. Ileia rebelled against the latter. In 1821 took part in the War of Independence. In 1825 the army of Imbraem destroyed it. It was set free in 1828.

Pyrgos: The town of Pyrgos is first appeared in 1687, after the Venetian - Turkish War. It took its name after the huge tower that Tsernotas, the Greek founder, built. The modern town is the capital - agrarian and administrative center - of the prefecture. It has no special beauty. Its streets are not very well - planned. The old town of Pyrgos displays a few mansions and the central stoned square.

Olympia: It is located 19km away from Pyrgos and it has got1475 inhabitants. The enchanting landscape, both beautiful and calm, in the green valley between Alfeios and Kladeos, displays one of the most famous archaeological sites in all the word: Olympia, which has been inhabited since the Prehistoric Times.
In the Mid-Hellenic Period, Olympia was the place of worship for the gods of the underworld. This is displayed by the name of a neighbouring hill dedicated to Kronus, the God. In the Achaean Times Kronus and Earth were dethroned by Zeus and Hera Later on, Pelopas won the Aetolian Oenomao and after he gave his name to Peloponnesus, he was worshipped as a God. Pelopio, a temple in honour of Pelopas, is the most ancient monument in Olympia. The beginning of the Olympic Games dates back to mythology. Gods and Heroes, such as Mars, Hermes, Pelopas are the first to struggle in the holy track. According to the tradition Hercules impressed the surrounding wall and determined the Olympic Games. It is said that the first Games began in 776 BC when the descent of Dorians was completer and the worship of Zeus started to spread. Ifitos, the king of Ilida, appointed the Games every four years. The participants were mostly from the main Greece, Ionia and Sicily. The Games lasted four days and the events came up to thirteen in the 5^th century. The reward was a chaplet made of olive - tree and symbolized the spirit of noble emulation. This chaplet was the desire of every athlete and Greek town. In the 5^th century, there was a temple in honor of Zeus who was the only master of the holy place. The sanctums of Pelopas, Oenomaus, Ippodamias, the Prytanem, the altar of Hestia and Filippeio were the venerable part of the place. The Olympic Games were in their acme from the 6^th to the 4^th century BC - Due to the holy truce the states would forget about their conflicts, becoming thus aware of their unity. The intermittent celebrations that accompanied the Games gave to the town of Olympia a religious beauty and power which was kept until the 4^th cent BC.

Killini: A coastal village with 1079 inhabitants. It is 43,5 km to the Northwest of Pyrgos. The area has been populated since the Prehistoric Times. In the ancient Times it was the haven of Ileians. It flourished during the Frankish domination when it was called Glarenia becoming not only an important port, but also a commercial and economic centre. It was named Killini after the name of a nearby ancient town. This town was destroyed in 1430 by Konstantinos Paleologos in order not to be conquered by the Turks. It was surrounded by powerful walls with battlements and towers.