References in the region, turning us back many years, in ancient times of Homer and the epic of Iliad with the phrase “Hermione Asini deepened by groups having bosom”, referring to the sea area in front of Assini, in Tolo. The naval power of Agamemnon departed from here to Aulis during the Trojan War. The following centuries, Tolo although uninhabited, is a safe anchorage of conquerors in all periods.
The first version of the name is ascribed to one Franc Bishop around 1200 AD, who called it: De l ‘eau – Delon (French) water. To 1686, the Venetian group with Vice Admiral Morosini, sailed into the harbor of Tolo from Crete, to the conquest of Nafplio from the Ottomans. This period is charged for the second version of the name of Tolo.
The Venetians also called it Port-Aulon, Port of all). The walls and the church of the Life Giving Spring on top of Daskalio constitute benchmarks of that subsequent era. A small island is hidden behind the island of Tolo, Romvi. A priestly secret school for children of fishermen around Daskalio, operated according to tradition during Ottoman period.
To this day (2011), Daskalio remains untouched by the human hand, although there are visitors flocking here, either to pilgrimage to the chapel or to enjoy the sea.
In 1834, by Royal Decree of 1651 13 October on the settlement of the Cretans, Tolo was officially proclaimed as a settlement, called the Municipality Minoa and included residential and Iria, Augo, and Solinari. It then numbered 1060 inhabitants. It is speculated that many of the Cretan settlers were descendants of Morosini. Residents were given per family: 300drch, 1 ox, farming tools and 30-50 hectares of land.
However, the people not knowing much of agriculture turned very soon to their great love, the sea, a relationship that goes as far as today, given the fact that Tolo has the largest fleet of Argolida.
Admiralty German and Italian fleets are installed in Tolo during the Second World War. The people suffered a lot. The men were forced to deliver their catch to the conquerors and the women served them.
Today, Tolo is a highly recognizable area. The two main features are the two islands that adorn the bay: The Koronisi with the church of the Holy Apostles and Romvi or island of Aphrodite.
Residents, hardworking, intelligent and perceptive, quickly realize the importance of tourism and fishing alongside gradually formed their homes in order to appeal to visitors and also invested in small taverns and entertainment venues.
In 1954, the first hotel was opened.
There are many traditional fish restaurants along the beach, offering local seafood and traditional Greek dishes. There are restaurants and other international cuisine and local barbecues are in abundance. Younger people will get excited by the nightlife it has to offer. And disco bars offer entertainment until the early hours of the morning.
It currently has approximately 2,500 residents and includes the traditional village of Agios Antonios.
The residents are mostly of Cretan origin. Among the many Englishmen, Scandinavians, Germans, probably late descendants of the Frankish-Venetian-Swedish, the Europeans have passed, lived, and loved Tolo over the years, giving it the place it deserves in the International tourism Map.
Tolo today is recognizable throughout Europe. It has 7,500 beds in all categories organized hotel facilities and well-equipped apartments. At the beach, you can enjoy almost all water sports and sun beds, umbrellas and water playground.
Its beach, 2 km long, is almost covered with fine golden sand. The phase is dredging the sea, making it safe for young children.
The daily-afternoon south wind, termed “boukadoura”, filters naturally and continuously renews the waters.
And in the church of the Holy Apostles which adorns Koronisi, the most romantic, idyllic weddings and christenings take place.
Good Friday is a benchmark each year, when the procession of the epitaph is in the sea.
Also, the revival of the custom of St. John – Kleidona on 24 June, the Fisherman’s Festival at the end of September, the Carnival on the last Sunday of Carnival, and various others, including dance performances by the department of traditional dances every June, racing Jet Ski every August, built on sand, are events worth watching.
The geographical position – almost half an hour from the archaeological sites of Mycenae and Epidavros, less than two hours from Athens and almost 10 minutes from Nafplio have established it as a holiday destination for thousands of tourists and an ideal weekend destination for all months of the year. Tolo is not unjustly called as “blessed.”
Geographical Coordinates
Tolo Harbour
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