Kiato is located 22 kilometers west of Corinth and serves as the seat of the Municipality of Sikyon and the second urban center of the Prefecture. It concentrates the commercial and administrative functions of Western Corinthia, with its port playing a significant role in the region's development, as it once served as a hub for the export of the Prefecture's citrus products to Eastern countries. The town consists of the main city and three settlements: Neapoli (to the west), Tragana (to the south), and Agios Ioannis (to the east). The port of Kiato is primarily commercial, mainly facilitating the export of agricultural products and the import of raw materials for the small industries of the wider area.
The connection of the Municipality with Athens via the suburban railway, along with the completion of the major PATHE (Athens-Patras) highway and the national road from Kalamata to Tripoli to Corinth, is likely to transform the development model and lead to changes in land use (such as an increase in primary residences and supplementary transportation infrastructure).
Significant Attractions in the Area
Mougostou Aesthetic Forest: This forest hosts a wide variety of flora and fauna. It covers a total area of 7,185 acres and was declared an Aesthetic Forest by the Presidential Decree of May 5, 1977 (published in Government Gazette 175, Vol. D', June 26, 1977). It is located southwest of the village of Souli in the Prefecture of Corinth and spans the municipalities of Sikyon, Xylokastro, and Stymfalia. It is a natural coppice oak forest, meaning it regenerated naturally through ecological succession. The forest grows on a gently sloping terrain with an incline of 3% to 20% facing east, at the foothills of Mount Kyllini (Ziria). It belongs to the Sub-Mediterranean vegetation zone. The main trees found here include the broad-leaved oak, Aleppo pine, black pine (in isolated individuals), Cephalonian fir, holly oak, mastic, juniper, Judas tree, and the characteristic strawberry tree and arbutus. In August 1998, the first and only prototype meteorological tower station in Greece, standing 32 meters tall, was installed in the forest as part of the MEDEFLU (Mediterranean Fluxes) research program, managed by the Agricultural University of Athens.
Monastery of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary of Lechova: Built on the eastern side of Mount Titan or Veseza (1,207m), at an altitude of 1,050m, in mountainous Corinthia. From Kiato, one follows the road into the interior of the prefecture, passes through the village of Souli, turns left towards Nemea, and reaches the village of Kryoneri. Just outside Kryoneri, a side road leads to the monastery (4 kilometers) through a scenic route full of plane trees. Following the gorge on the right bank of the Elissonas stream, the paved road quickly brings you to the pass, where the monastery emerges from the dense fir forest.
Ancient Theatre of Sikyon: The Ancient Theatre of Sikyon is considered one of the largest theaters of ancient Greece. All ancient Greek theaters were constructed using similar architectural designs. From Kiato, one can reach the ancient theater by following the road into the interior of the prefecture, passing through Sikyon. The theater is located on the hill of Vasiliko (about 4 kilometers southeast of Kiato), a village beyond Sikyon.
Kryoneri Observatory: The Kryoneri Astronomical Station was established in 1972. It is located in Corinthia, near the village of Kryoneri. The station hosts the 1.2m telescope of the National Observatory of Athens (NOA), equipped with a CCD camera as its primary instrument. It also has a specialized facility for aluminizing the telescope mirrors. The observatory operates a mechanical and an electronic workshop. Every August, the NOA organizes "Open Days" at the Kryoneri Station, offering organized tours for the public, schools, etc. For information about observation time with the 1.2m telescope, please contact the Station Manager, Dr. A. Dapergolas.
