Kiato is located 22 kilometers west of Corinth and is the seat of the Municipality of Sikyon and the second urban center of the Prefecture. It consolidates the commercial and administrative functions of Western Corinthia, with its port playing a significant role in the region's development, as it was a hub for exporting citrus products from the Prefecture to Eastern countries. It consists of the main city and three settlements: Neapolis (west), Tragana (south), and Agios Ioannis (east). The port of Kiato is of a commercial nature and mainly serves the export of agricultural products and the import of raw materials for the area's industries. The connection of the municipality to Athens via the suburban railway, the completion of the major road axis PATHE (Athens-Patras), in combination with the national road Kalamata-Tripoli-Corinth, might change the development model and lead to alterations in land use (increase in residential areas, complementary transport infrastructures).
Significant Attractions in the Area
The Aesthetic Forest of Mougostou, which hosts a variety of plant and animal species. The forest covers an area of 7,185 acres. It was declared Aesthetic by the Presidential Decree of 5/1977, published in Official Gazette 175 D’ on 26/1977. It is located southwest of the village Souli in the Prefecture of Corinthia. The forest belongs to the Municipalities of Sikyon, Xylokastro, and Stymphalia. It is a natural oak forest that grew on its own, following ecological succession. The forest extends over a gently sloping area with a gradient ranging from 3% to 20%, facing east at the foot of Mount Kyllini (Ziria). It belongs to the Mediterranean vegetation zone. The main tree species found in the forest include broadleaf oak (Quercus), Aleppo pine, black pine (in isolated individuals), Cephalonia fir, holm oak, olive, juniper, wild pear, and characteristic strawberry trees and myrtle trees. In August 1998, the first and only prototype meteorological tower station in Greece, 32 meters high, was installed in the forest as part of the MEDEFLU research program (Mediterranean Flows). It operates under the responsibility of the Agricultural University of Athens.
The Holy Monastery of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary in Lechova is built on the eastern side of Mount Titan or Vesesa (1207m) at an altitude of 1050m, in mountainous Corinthia. From Kiato, following the road into the interior of the prefecture, one passes through the village of Souli, turns left towards Nemea, and reaches the village Kryoneri. Just outside the village, there is a fork that leads to the monastery (4 kilometers) through a beautiful route full of plane trees. Following the gorge on the right bank of the river Elissona, the paved road quickly brings us to the pass, where the monastery appears in the distance, surrounded by a fir forest.
The Ancient Theatre of Sikyon: The Ancient Theatre of Sikyon is considered one of the largest theatres in ancient Greece. All ancient Greek theatres were built in the same way and with the same architectural design. From Kiato, following the road towards the interior of the prefecture, one passes through Sikyon. The Ancient Theatre is located slightly lower on the hill of Vasiliko (about 4 kilometers southeast of Kiato), which is a village after Sikyon.
The Kryoneri Observatory: The Astronomical Station of Kryoneri was founded in 1972. It is located in Corinthia, near the village of Kryoneri. The 1.2-meter telescope of the Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics (IAA) is installed there, with the main instrument being a CCD camera. A special unit for aluminizing the telescope mirrors is also located at the station. The station operates a mechanical and an electronic laboratory. Every August, the IAA organizes “Open Door” days at the Kryoneri Station, during which organized visits for the public, schools, etc., are held. Information about the observation times with the 1.2-meter telescope can be obtained from the Station's Responsible Person, Dr. A. Dapergolas.
