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Kelefa Κελεφά
Community
Kelefa
Coordinates: 36°42.44′N 22°24.19′E / 36.70733°N 22.40317°E / 36.70733; 22.40317
Country	Greece
Administrative region	Peloponnese
Regional unit	Laconia
Municipality	East Mani
Municipal unit	Oitylo
Population
• Community	30
Time zone	UTC+2 (EET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+3 (EEST)
Area code(s)	27330
Vehicle registration	ΑΚ

Kelefa (Greek: Κελεφά) is a castle and village in Mani, Laconia, Greece. It is part of the municipal unit of Oitylo.

History

The castle of Kelefa is located about half-way between the current village of Kelefa and the Bay of Oitylo. It was built in 1679 by the Ottomans, in order to contain the Inner Mani region. Some years later, in 1685, the Maniots besieged the castle. They sent messengers to Venice so the Doge could send a fleet to help them capture the castle. The Venetians were currently at war with the Ottomans so they agreed and sent a fleet under Francesco Morosini. As soon the fleets bearing the Lion of Saint Mark the Ottoman garrison surrendered. A year later the Ottomans returned with a strong force and laid siege to the castle but were driven back. Along with the rest of the Peloponnese, the castle remained in Venetian hands for about 30 years, but in 1715 the Ottomans recaptured the Peloponnese. Around 1780 the Ottomans abandoned the castle, which became derelict.

Now Kelefa is a small village.

Historical population

See also

• List of settlements in Laconia

References

1. "Αποτελέσματα Απογραφής Πληθυσμού - Κατοικιών 2021, Μόνιμος Πληθυσμός κατά οικισμό" [Results of the 2021 Population - Housing Census, Permanent population by settlement] (in Greek). Hellenic Statistical Authority. 29 March 2024.

Sources

• Andrews, Kevin (1978) . Castles of the Morea. Amsterdam: Adolf M. Hakkert. ISBN 90-256-0794-2.

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• Populated places in Laconia
• East Mani
• Populated places in the Mani Peninsula
• 1679 establishments in the Ottoman Empire
• Buildings and structures completed in 1679
• 17th-century architecture in Greece
• 17th-century fortifications
• Ottoman fortifications in Greece
• Peloponnese geography stubs