Kapsas (Greek: Κάψας, also Κάψια Kapsia) is a community in the municipal unit of Mantineia in Arcadia on the Peloponnese peninsula in southern Greece. It is situated in a valley east of the Mainalo mountains, at 700 m elevation. It is 9 km southeast of Levidi, 11 km west of Nestani and 12 km north of Tripoli. The Greek National Road 74 (Pyrgos - Tripoli) passes through the village.
Historical population
Year
Population
1981
581
1991
460
2001
505
2011
389
2021
252
History
During World War II, and after the capitulation of Italy, Greece was occupied by Nazi Germany. Villagers of Kapsas helped an Italian soldier named Salvatore hide from the Germans and return to his native Italy. Statues of the school teacher Ioannis Orfanos, his wife and his brother have been erected near the village church in memory of their aid.[citation needed]
Attractions
The village church of Saint Nicholas possesses a precious icon, donated by the Moscow Patriarchate.[citation needed]
The Cave of Kapsia is situated 1 kilometer from the village Kapsia, at the southwest edge of the plain of ancient Mantineia. It is part of a system of active and inactive sinks (ponors) (Greek: katavothra "Καταβόθρα"). In front of the entrance are three ponors. Inside the cave human bone material has been found, according to some researchers from people who drowned during floods in the cave. The cave was used by man during the Neolithic, Hellenistic period and the fourth to sixth century AD.[2]
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