"Perastikos see Mani in three days, perpatitis in three months and to see the soul of you three lives. One for the sea, one for the mountains and one for its people "read recently. More of our people, I thought.
More than any other part of Greece, Mani is the work of its people. People particular, the proud, fighters, who gave color at that location, katafernontas agono to cultivate the soil, to create architectural smilefontas stone, to transform a symbol of pride and archontias a part prima facie afiloxeno.
Without, of course, that does not mean that the region has to show and special natural beauty. Epivlitikes mountain peaks, blue water and white beaches with golden sand or pebbles, which is not in any way from the popular resorts of the islands - except polykosmias-compose a landscape both eteroklito and charming, causing the visitor to explore, to admire, to live.
Add to these the glorious history, which is reflected in every corner, a tradition which parts are kept to a minimum so as live here, and the hospitality of its people, and the image created and brings to mind another "destination weekend." In Mani deserves to spend time. The experience will be your reward.
With 98 traditional settlements - by a total of 118-Peloponnese, countless stone towers characteristic style in almost all villages, more than a thousand and post-Byzantine churches, castles and seven plethora of monuments and sites, Mani will not let you bored.
The tour for… by Athens ormomenon usually starts from Gythium, which can be a perfect base for other excursions. Grafikotato port, with the colorful neo-classical to create island feeling, the seaside taverns and ouzeri to fill the air perfumes and the ruins of the ancient city in northern entrance of the harbour, offered for essential sightseeing.
Board one of the boats and visit Marathonissi or Kranai which states that passed a night the Paris and Helen, away from Sparta, to admire the castle of the family Tzanetaki which serves as Mani and Folklore Museum, in return, stop in any of the coastal taverns of Gythion for fresh fish before visiting the ancient theater.
Do not forget, too, a visit to the seaside Skoutari, beautiful town with the historic tradition, you'll get the chance to admire the Heroes Square, with a wonderful sea view, but many abandoned churches, two of whom - St. Nicholas and San Stylianou-are made from local red stone.
South of Gythion, the municipality eastern Mani, established the popular Kotrona centralises villages, traditional villages and amazing beaches near Cape Tainaro, which is the southernmost point of mainland Greece.
Hidden in a quiet bay, Kotronas is the largest seaside village in eastern Mani, famous for its beaches and traditional architecture. In place of the current village placed under the excavations, the ancient city Tefthroni - characteristic, indeed, is the fact that in some houses and churches are still entoichismenes inscriptions, capitals and architectural parts of the ancient city.
From the start Kotrona caiques for visits to surrounding villages, and the Cave of Hades, in Tainaro. A short distance from the village at the seaside village Kokkala, and grafikotatoi traditional settlements Agios Nikolaos and Olympies. Do not miss a visit to Mat, two kilometres from Kokkala, with the towers of Meladon and pyrgosygkrotima Mela-Georgakogianni of 1780 that dominate the top of the hill.
Other points of interest in Eastern Mani is Lagia, with a proud history, unique samples maniatikis traditional architecture, such as stone pyrgoteichismata complex and distinctive "Kolouroys Towers", and Byzantine churches, and Outside Nymfio or Nyfi, with the epivlitikous towers and two paraliakous settlements, and Alypa Gialo, which shot the film "Tempest" by John Kassaveti.
Visit finally in palaiomaniatiko settlement of the Park, and Argilia, in which Nikos Katsikaros, author of "Ventetas in Mani", and then a stance on the beaches Marmari and Porto Kayio. Even if I do not deleasteite from the blue to voutixete, landscape and deserves only a little of your time.
Continuing west, the road takes us to the municipality Oitylou - beautiful, for many, part of Mani. Charaktirismeni "open museum", "Aposkeri Mesa Mani" as called by the locals, gathers some of the most popular attractions in the region, as Castle Kelefas, a total of 67 traditional natural beauty landscapes, rare specimens fauna and flora of charisan description "botanical haven".
The seat of the municipality, the graphic Areopolis, with the oldest part to keep alive the traditional flavour, with narrow, cobbled alleys and epivlitikous towers and modern piece to vibrant all hours of the day. Squares, shops, hotels and restaurants gather daily number of locals and visitors.
Start browsing from the square where ypsothike the banner of the Revolution, on 17 March 1821, periplanitheite in stone alleys, admire their epivlitikous towers of the leading families and churches, to come to the square Athanaton, with a statue of Petrompei Μαυρομιχάλη, which is and the center of city life. Of particular interest is also the mansion pyrgospito of Kyriakoulis Μαυρομιχάλη, which is the largest volume of construction Mani.
Less than two kilometres north of Areopolis is the epineio, the graphic Limeni, considered by most picturesque settlements across Mani. Diafana blue waters, a narrow strip of land with few houses and just over rocky, which seem to put there to protect the beautiful harbour.
The tetraorofo pyrgokastro of Mafromichalaion, with arched openings, primarily a symbol of proepanastatikis edge of the site, imposing rises in the upper part of Limeniou, bringing to mind the mansions of the Byzantine Mystras. Near the chapel of Agios Sostis find the andrianta of Petrompei, while the area is ruined and the Church of Panagia Vrettis the belfry. A stop for fresh fish overlooking the turquoise waters are more than proposed.
Seven kilometres north of Areopolis, the evergreen Itilo is built amphitheatrically, on the west bank of the gorge that separates the mid Mani from the outside or Messinian. Rich in history, but few picturesque, with stone buildings to xeprovalloun through the dense vegetation, and lithoktisti square, which dominates the bust of the hero of the revolution Elias Tsalafatinou, Itilo offers endless, anazoogonitikes roamings.
Just south, the Tower Dirou became known thanks to the unique caves, Alepotrypa, Katafygi and Glyfada or Vlichada, who gather daily number of visitors who come to admire the amazing geological formations. The village is worth the visit pyrgosygkrotima oplarchigou Sklavounakoy a polyorofo building of 1812, with exaorofo tower of 25 meters, and the Byzantine churches of St. Peter and the Taxiarchis, dating from the 11 st century.
Following the road to the south, there is the picturesque port of Gerolimena with seaside tavernas, serving fresh fish and seafood, and hotels, while still south is the last surprise of Mani, the settlement of Vatheias, considered by many omorfoteros the wider region.
Amfitheatrika built on top of the hill, Vathia seems to agnantefei the deep blue sea legs stretched out. Towers, homes and churches hanging at the highest point, among the oldest settlements, preserved until today by the 18 th century, when it formed the settlement. The landscape truly breathtaking what antikrizoun for the first time. The two beaches under the settlement, Kapoi and Outside Kapoi, offered to swim in the crystal waters.
Accommodation
Any "base" you select, Mani will find a wealth of options residence, for every taste and budget. Two of the best choices of residence are as follows.
In the natural port of Gerolimena, hotel Kyrimai (tel: 27330 54288) is housed in an impressive restored building of wood and stone, in full harmony with the landscape. Towers with battlements, luxury suites, dipata rooms with fireplace, lofts allow you to make your own journey in time, with all the modern comforts. Relax in atmospheric living, enjoy the beautiful garden, enjoy the pool, enjoying the services of the playroom, but also of billiards. Prices start at 80 and reach to 300 euros, depending on the type of room and season.
In the caves of Dirou, the traditional village Haria, "Castello di Haria" (tel: 27330 52921, 52313, 6945495070) offers a small sample of delivery and maniatikis technique. Built over the beautiful beach of Dirou, combining the wild beauty of Mani and the idyllic view of the sea.
Tholota rooms preserved with great humility, wooden doors and ceilings, stone walls and arches, architecture conveys a great feeling and equipment fully compatible with the latest technology. Huge beds with silk fabrics giinous tonnes "tie" with stone and wooden surfaces of archontikon furniture. The traditional windows overlooking the sea and the mountains and the large garden complete the picture paramythenia. Prices for double rooms start at 130 euros, while suites with Jacuzzi from 200 euros.
Food and fun
Fresh fish and seafood by the sea, homemade steamed, baked in coal… Whatever your tastes delicious, Mani will hardly be disappointed.
Fresh seafood and fish in the most idyllic environment will try to "Taki" next to the blue waters in Limeni, while local specialties have the honour to "Kampinara" between the tower and Diro.
In Gythio, then certainly an attitude for food in "Akrogiali" or "Isalos" and not leave without trying the maniatikes pittes (cake, Kalamaki, cheese) by Tassos beside the Gymnasium Gythion. In Skoutari supporters of psarofagias will hang in one of the two tavernas of the beach.
In Areopolis, fish tavern of the Tsatsoulis continues… seri of fish. If you prefer meat, head into psitopoleio "Sveltos" on the road to the Tower.
The nightlife in the region concentrated primarily in Gytheio, which deserves to get a ride from "Anemo" and "Koursaro", or "Spider", towards the Skoutari, if your musical tastes gravitate towards rock. Finally, on the islet Kranai bar "Nafagoi" promises to keep your xypnious until the early morning hours.
