Kastania is a town in Messa Mani, in
Laconia,
Greece. In
1770, after the
Orlov Revolt failed, the
Ottomans wanted to punish the
Maniots for their support of it. They attacked the two Maniot pyrgoi which belonged to the Venetsanakis clan. With them was the father of the hero of the
Greek War of Independence,
Theodoros Kolokotronis,
Kostantinos Kolokotronis and his wife who was pregnant with his son. The Ottoman commander
Hussan Bey, laid siege to the pyrgoi. After holding out for three days the defenders burst out of the pyrgoi's doors and charged the Turks. Only a few cut through the Turkish lines. Amongst them was Kolokotronis' wife dressed as a man. Now Kastania is a peaceful town.