View source for Kelefa

{{for|people named Kelefa|Kelefa (given name)}}
{{Infobox Greek Dimos
 |name               = Kelefa
 |name_local         = Κελεφά
|type = community
|periph = [[Peloponnese (region)|Peloponnese]]
|periphunit         = [[Laconia]]
|municipality = [[East Mani]]
|municunit = [[Oitylo]]
 |pop_community         = 30
 |population_as_of   = 2021
 |area               =
 |elevation          = 
 |coordinates        = {{coord|36|42.44|N|22|24.19|E|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
 |postal_code        = 
 |area_code          = 27330
 |licence            = ΑΚ
 |website            = 
 |image_skyline      = 
 |caption_skyline    = 
 |city_flag          =
 |city_seal          =
}}
'''Kelefa''' ({{langx|el|Κελεφά}}) is a castle and village in [[Mani Peninsula|Mani]], [[Laconia]], [[Greece]]. It is part of the municipal unit of [[Oitylo]].

==History==
[[File:Chielafa - Coronelli Vincenzo - 1686.jpg|thumb|right|The Castle of Kelefa, 1686]]
The castle of Kelefa is located about half-way between the current village of Kelefa and the Bay of Oitylo. It was built in 1679 by the [[Ottoman Turks|Ottomans]], in order to contain the Inner Mani region. Some years later, in 1685, the [[Maniots]] besieged the castle. They sent messengers to [[Venice]] so the [[doge of Venice|Doge]] could send a fleet to help them capture the castle. The Venetians were [[Morean War|currently at war]] with the Ottomans so they agreed and sent a fleet under [[Francesco Morosini]]. As soon the fleets bearing the [[Lion of Saint Mark]] the Ottoman garrison surrendered. A year later the Ottomans returned with a strong force and laid siege to the castle but were driven back. Along with the rest of the [[Peloponnese]], the castle [[Kingdom of the Morea|remained in Venetian hands]] for about 30 years, but in 1715 the Ottomans [[Ottoman reconquest of the Morea|recaptured]] the Peloponnese. Around 1780 the Ottomans abandoned the castle, which became derelict.{{citation needed|date=July 2015}}

Now Kelefa is a small village.

==Historical population==
{| class=wikitable
! Year !! Population 
|-
| 1981 || 94 
|-
| 1991 || 114 
|-
| 2001 ||59
|-
| 2011 ||39
|-
| 2021 ||30
|}

==See also==
*[[List of settlements in Laconia]]

==References==
<references />

==Sources==
* {{cite book | last = Andrews | first = Kevin | title = Castles of the Morea | location = Amsterdam | publisher = Adolf M. Hakkert | year = 1978 | origyear = 1953 | isbn = 90-256-0794-2}}

{{East Mani div}}

[[Category:Populated places in Laconia]]
[[Category:East Mani]]
[[Category:Populated places in the Mani Peninsula]]
[[Category:1679 establishments in the Ottoman Empire]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1679]]
[[Category:17th-century architecture in Greece]]
[[Category:17th-century fortifications]]
[[Category:Ottoman fortifications in Greece]]

{{Peloponnese-geo-stub}}