Zemeno

by car: 11 km/6.8 mi south of Xylokastro (20 minutes), 127 km/78.9 mi from Athens (1h ½)

by suburban railway/by train: 1 hour from Athens to Kiato and from there, another 30 minutes by car/bus.

by bus (intercity/interregional public coach service of Greece (KTEL buses) departing from the Kifissos bus station (in Athens): 2 hours from Kifissos (Athens) to Xylokastro.

Professor D. Zakythinos, in his study on "Slavs and Slavic place names in Greece" mentions as far back as the 1930's that Zemeno holds a Slavic toponym. 

However, according to the village's schoolteacher, P. Politis, the name Zemeno has Greek roots. So, the place name seems to derive a). from the word "Zamèno" (meaning wealthy lodging), b). from "Za-menès" (very brave) or c). "Za menèo" (to be very fierce). 

According to another interpretation, the place name comes from the latin word "Sement" (narrow passage) - the village is indeed built between two hills covered with pine trees. 

• BYZANTINE TIMES 

8th century AD: Zemeno was founded at the end of 8th century AD by inhabitants of the ancient town of "Deirae" of Sicyon, and by Slav settlers that came down to the Peloponnese by 746 AD. The Slavs were brought to the region by the byzantine emperor Constantine V in order to repopulate the provinces that had been devastated that same year by the plague. 

The town of Deirae of Sicyon was located near the contemporary Zemeno (on the southeastern side of Tsouka mountain, on the location of "Kiafes"). Over the years, the town of ancient Deirae has disappeared due to the land subsidence, however, for the same reason, many relics came to light. Today, on the location of "Tsouka", where the ramparts of ancient Deirae were once situated, parts of the fortification's groundwork made from big rocks (typical of the Archaic period) are still in existence. On the same location, one can also find ruins and house foundations, as well as ceramic shards of tiles and pottery. 

886 AD: The Slav settlers were quickly absorbed by the little remaining Greek population of Deirae. Around 886 AD, they already considered themselves to be Greeks and they adopted Christianity. Indeed, they have built a big christian temple (whose name has not survived) on the location where today one can find the church of "Metamorphosi tou Sotiros" (Transfiguration of our Lord Savior Jesus Christ). 

10th century: By early 10th century Zemeno had its own diocese, which demonstrates the village's great progress. Zemeno is for the first time referred as a Diocese in the Annals of the byzantine emperor Leo VI the Wise, who reigned in 900 AD. It is also recorded as a community in the Live of St Luke of Steiris, which manifests the Saint's ascetic presence in the region (926-937 AD). The religious and historical prestige of the Diocese lasted until the historical period after the Fourth Crusade (1204). In the years to come, Zemeno is initially mentioned as a Diocese of Corinthian Archdiocese and later on as a Diocese of the Archdiocese of Monemvasia (Malvasia).

1154 AD: The village is presumably mentioned in another medieval textual resource, written by the Arab geographer Al-Idrisi. After referring to Corinth and Poras, the text of Al-Idrisi mentions the town of "Djentina", which is very likely to be identified with Zemeno. The mentioned town wasn't very far away from the bypassing road that interested this geographer and in addition to that, its position could be easily viewed by the sea. 

1230 AD: A Venetian map of the first period of the Frankish of Latin rule in Corinthia only refers to Corinth, Sicyon and Zemeno.

1366-1394 AD: During the period of Nerio's Acciaiuoli dominion on the region (1366‑1394), it is possible that Albanian mercenaries had settled in this territory as well as in Zemeno, serving as a defensive guard corps.

• THE PERIOD OF THE TURKISH RULE

The participation of Zemeno in the Greek War of Independence that started in 1821 is certain and it can be proven in two important textual resources. The first is found in the records of "soldiers and victuals" which was kept by the Dimogeronteio of Corinth on May 25th 1826. According to the record, Zemeno had to contribute with 6 soldiers, 48 oka of flour (approx. 62 kg) and 3 animals to be slain for their meat. The second reference is the letter of Panaghiotakis Notaras (lieutenant general) that was sent to 39 villages of Corinthia on June 24th 1826. The content of this letter called for the urgent requisition of arms and weapons of those villages, following the imperative orders of Kolokotronis to the Corinthians. Zemeno is mentioned amongst those villages.
During the period of the Turkish rule (in the mid 1800s), Zemeno is also mentioned on the registers of Greek shipowners and seamen.

• MODERN HISTORY

Early 20st century: Swiss photographer Fred Boissonas found himself in Zemeno, where, through his lens, he immortalized moments of everyday life in Greece that travelled all around the world. 

1960: In the location of Tsouka, a local finds a copper statuette of great archaeological value, of a thunderbolt-bearing Zeus. The statuette is kept in the Museum of Corinth. 

21st century: Stratos Stassinos, a film director, found himself in Zemeno. Our village served as source of creative inspiration for him.