History of Mani
Mani area lies in the Peloponnesus peninsula.
It is divided in two parts, the Messinian Mani which lies in the Messinia municipality and the Laconia Mani, which lies in the Laconia municipality.From the ancient times Mani was a developed area with a brilliant civilisation.
Many archaeological sites can be found in the Mani area.
In the older times, Mani was one of the only places in Greece which was untouched by the Turkish armies.
Opposite Kalamata lies Almiro, above it mount.
Taigetos and next to it the sea, the Gulf of Messinia.
Almiro is a small settlement by the sea with a clean pebbly beach and translucent waters.
This is where the Messinian Mani begins.
It's like entering another country.
The landscape is precipitous, plunging headlong towards the sea.
About 5 miles south of Areopolis are the famous Diros Caves.
They are part of an underground river, and the 5,000 meters that have been exposed are fascinating.
From the entrance, skilful, whistling gondoliers steer small boats through narrow passageways, around beautiful formations of stalagmites and stalactites, their colours created by rain water penetrating the calcium carbonate in the rock.
The caves have served as places of worship in Palaeolithic and Neolithic times; they are thought by many to be connected to the Underworld.
Like a replica in miniature of the majestic form of Mt. Tarygetos, Mystra rises above the verdant valley of Eurotas.
In about the Mid 13th century mail-coated Frankish knights built watch-towers on this 'strange hill', from which they could defend fertile Lacedaemon and control the unruly mountain dwellers of Taygetos.
But they were unable to retain their hold on 'beautiful Mystra' for long.
A Byzantine 'Basileus and Emperor of the Romans' regained his throne at Constantinople in 1261 and henceforth Mystra became a centre of culture and civilization destined to illuminate the art and spirit of the Byzantine age for the last time.Mystra's achievement is a very important one; but it is the sphere of art in particular that the modern traveller will be most impressed.
Early characteristics of fresco-work are found in the painted decoration of the Metropolis (13th -14th centuries) which already foreshadows the final flowering of the Palaeogene period.
Some of the most important works at the 14th century will be found at the Aphendiko.
In the Peribleptos a synthesis of rare aesthetic quality and deep theological significance will be observed, whereas at the Pantanassa the visitor is struck by the lengths to which theByzantine painting can go in respect of colour range.
Here also will be found every type of Byzantine church as well as specific examples of decorative architecture pertaining to palaces, mansions and ordinary housesKokala with its beautiful bays.
Is is build amphitheatrically round a small bay, the anchorage of fishing-boats.
To its south side there is a lovely bay of blue-green waters.
Ageranos (Vathi) One of the most beautiful beaches of Laconia, Located only 15 miles South of Gyhtio.
Gythio is a small coastal town on the Gulf of Laconia known as Cranae in antiquity, the port of Sparta.
This was the first refuge of lovers Paris and Helen; they eloped here over theTaygetos Mountains from her home in Sparta and set off by ship to Troy.
Today, Gythio is the capital of the Mani, the isolated southern fringe of the Peloponnesus named after Maina Castle, built by William de Villehardouin in the 13th century, the same gentlemen who gave us the castles at Monemvasia and Mystra.
Gythio is noteworthy only as a driving point between Sparta and Monemvasia or Areopolis.
Tall old houses along the seafront of Gythio overlook a lighthouse on the tiny island of Marathonissi, now connected by a roadway to the mainland.
Several faded tavernas, rooms to let, and tourist-worn shops line the seafront to Perivolaki Square, all catering to those who await the ferries to Kythira or Crete.
However, Gythio is the octopus capital of Greece, and most seaside cafes serve this tasty denizen of the Gulf of Gythio..Kiparissi, to the north of Monemvasia and southeast of Sparta, is a charming coastal village which has recently developed into a resort attracting those who like to "get away from it all".
It has three marvellous stretches of beach lining three successive coves.
Go 2 miles out of the port town of Monemvasia, over a narrow stone causeway to the "Gibraltar of Greece", and you will find the real Monemvasia, one of the most beautiful spots of the Peloponnesian coast.
It is a 13th -century Byzantine village, more complete than Mystra architecturally, yet more overrun by flowers too.
Tucked away on the south face of a hill, shadowed by an imposing for, is a tiny bit of Paradise.
When you enter the vaulted gates to this walled community, you will be delighted by the charm and tender beauty of the vehicle-free village.
Hordes of day trippers mob the few cafes and souvenir shops nestled in grotto's of the original Byzantine dwellings, but at dusk peace returns.
On top of the hillside is the 13th century Aghia Sophia, similar in style to the Byzantine church in Dafni.
The crystal-clear, inviting Aegean below can be reached by the paths that corkscrew down the hill.