Xylokastro is a seaside town of Corinth and is the seat of the Municipality of Xylokastro – Eurostini. Every summer it receives thousands of visitors and is one of the most important tourist destinations of the Peloponnese. Points of interest are the pine forest of Pefkia, the beaches and the small port along with the marina of the area. It is 1 hour from Athens and 40 minutes from Patras.
Xylokastro got its name from a wooden barracks in the area where it functioned as an observation post during the Venetian period. The barracks was located on the western side of the hill “Kati ton Pefkos”, above the current city, near Sythas. From there the garrison could control traffic in the Corinthian Gulf and supervise the port. He also had visual contact with his castles and could inform their administration by smoke signals. The barracks was called by the locals a wooden castle, and from it the area which includes the settlements of Ypsila Alonia, Mertikeika, Georganteika and Riza, was called Xylokastro. During the 18th century it was called Oxokambos.
