Smila, Greece

Smila
Σμίλα
Smila is located in Greece
Smila
Smila
Coordinates: 37°41′N 21°33′E / 37.683°N 21.550°E / 37.683; 21.550
CountryGreece
Administrative regionWest Greece
Regional unitElis
MunicipalityArchaia Olympia
Municipal unitArchaia Olympia
Elevation
60 m (200 ft)
Population
 (2021)[1]
 • Community307
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)

Smila (Greek: Σμίλα) is a village and a community in the municipality of Olympia, Elis, Greece. It is situated in the plains north of the river Alfeios, 1 km north of Strefi, 3 km west of Pelopio, 7 km northwest of Olympia and 10 km east of Pyrgos. The community includes the small village Karoutes.

The myth says that the village was called Smila because Praxiteles (the artist who made the famous statue of Hermes), lost his chisel (Greek: σμίλη) here. Many ancient artifacts have been found in this village, especially in the northern part. They are exhibited in the Archaeological Museum of Olympia. A great cheesemaking tradition has been established in Smila over the past few years, and several well known cheesemakers have been born in Smila, some of whom have found extensive occupation as ship chefs. Smila suffered damage from the 2007 Greek forest fires.

  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.