History
A few kilometres away from Sparti and Tripoli, on the slopes of Mount Parnon in Lakonia, at an altitude of 903 meters, lies the small, picturesque village of Vamvakou! The village is situated at the west side of Mount Parnon and belongs to the municipal unit of Oinounta in the municipality of Sparti. It was built around the 15th century. The name Vamvakou (Pampakon) derives from the medieval Greek word for cotton (vamvax). In its heyday, Vamvakou numbered 200 families, while it was known for its large families. A place with long history, which was significantly affected by the Occupation, the Civil War, and the economic recession, within a beautiful natural environment, is being revived aspiring to become an example for similar projects of development and enhancement of the countryside.
Vamvakou Revival, established in August 2018, aims to bring new life to the village of Vamvakou by tapping into the history, human capital, and natural wealth of the region, with the collaboration and support from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF). The organization was founded by a group of friends with strong ties to Vamvakou. Their vision for the sustainable development of the village ultimately aims to bring a greater number of permanent residents to the community. By creating job opportunities and modern, comfortable living conditions, they hope to see Vamvakοu bustling with families and children, and to hear the school bell ring once again. The Initiative’s main pillars consist of tourism, innovation, agri-food, culture, and entrepreneurship. They hope Vamvakou will serve as a model for similar projects throughout Greece, and internationally.