Ταξιδιωτικός οδηγός του/της Kiriaki
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Messene, officially Ancient Messene, is a local community of the municipal unit Ithomi.
Most of the area of Ancient Messene contains the ruins of the large classical city-state of Messene refounded by Epaminondas in 369 BC, after the battle of Leuctra and the first Theban invasion of the Peloponnese. Epaminondas invited the return to their native land of all the families that had gone into exile from Messenia during its long struggle with and servitude under the military state of Sparta, now finished as a conquering state. This new Messene, today's Ancient Messene, was constructed over the ruins of Ithome, an ancient city originally of Achaean Greeks, destroyed previously by the Spartans and abandoned for some time.
Currently the substantial ruins are a major historical attraction. Much of it has been archaeologically excavated and partly restored or preserved for study and public viewing, as well as for various events. The site was never totally abandoned. The small village of Mavromati occupies what was the upper city around the fountain called Klepsydra.
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Messene
Messene, officially Ancient Messene, is a local community of the municipal unit Ithomi.
Most of the area of Ancient Messene contains the ruins of the large classical city-state of Messene refounded by Epaminondas in 369 BC, after the battle of Leuctra and the first Theban invasion of the Peloponnese. Epaminondas invited the return to their native land of all the families that had gone into exile from Messenia during its long struggle with and servitude under the military state of Sparta, now finished as a conquering state. This new Messene, today's Ancient Messene, was constructed over the ruins of Ithome, an ancient city originally of Achaean Greeks, destroyed previously by the Spartans and abandoned for some time.
Currently the substantial ruins are a major historical attraction. Much of it has been archaeologically excavated and partly restored or preserved for study and public viewing, as well as for various events. The site was never totally abandoned. The small village of Mavromati occupies what was the upper city around the fountain called Klepsydra.
The Polylimnio Waterfalls can be found at the Polylimnio Gorge in Messenia which is a region in the Peloponnese outside of the city of Kalamata. In Greek, polylimnio translates to many lakes. That’s what you’ll discover. There are 15 little “hidden” fresh water lakes. At many of them, gorgeous waterfalls drop into stunning aqua blue waters. Only after you hike and clamber your way around a tree lined mountain path do you start to see these incredible lakes. The lake’s fresh, clear cold mountain water was extremely refreshing after the hike – the perfect reward. For the more adventurous, diving into the water would be a great option. The path is about three kilometers long. The names of the lakes you’ll encounter are considered quite interesting. A few include Mavrolimna (black lake), Tou Tucherou (of the lucky one), Tou Italou (of the Italian). Kadi Lake features the biggest waterfalls that drop from a height of 25 meters.
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Polylimnio Waterfall
The Polylimnio Waterfalls can be found at the Polylimnio Gorge in Messenia which is a region in the Peloponnese outside of the city of Kalamata. In Greek, polylimnio translates to many lakes. That’s what you’ll discover. There are 15 little “hidden” fresh water lakes. At many of them, gorgeous waterfalls drop into stunning aqua blue waters. Only after you hike and clamber your way around a tree lined mountain path do you start to see these incredible lakes. The lake’s fresh, clear cold mountain water was extremely refreshing after the hike – the perfect reward. For the more adventurous, diving into the water would be a great option. The path is about three kilometers long. The names of the lakes you’ll encounter are considered quite interesting. A few include Mavrolimna (black lake), Tou Tucherou (of the lucky one), Tou Italou (of the Italian). Kadi Lake features the biggest waterfalls that drop from a height of 25 meters.
The castle of Methoni
Built by the Venetians in the early 13th century on a rocky promontory, the castle is among the largest ones in the Mediterranean. You’ll be astonished at the bridge stone of 14 arches which connects the castle to the shore instead of the timber one that used to stand in its place before the Venetians ever got there. The celebrated symbol of Venice, the lion of St Marc, dominates the gate of the castle where immured reliefs, emblems, blazons, inscriptions, the huge gates –especially the main gate, above the moat – and the relics of two Ottoman bathhouses have survived.
At the south edge of the castle a fortified islet floats. Bourtzi, as it is called, a prison and place of executions during the Turkish Occupation, was built in 1500 and is connected to the Sea Gate of the castle with a paved tiny road.
Don’t forget to:
Stroll in the scenic town of Methoni and marvel at the local well preserved architecture.
Visit the built-in-the-rocks catacombs of St Onoufrios (2km N of Methoni) and the catholic monastery of St Leon.
Swim at the beautiful beach by the castle, as well as at the beaches of Mavrovouni, Amenomylos, Loutsa and Akritika.
Pay a visit to Sapientza Island, a significant wetland habitat nestling the kri kri wild sheep, birds etc in a protected forest with arbutus trees. A 19th century stone lighthouse and an exceptional sandy beach are no less of an attraction too.. Methoni is 21km SW of Kalamata, whereas Koroni is 52km to the same direction. Local buses will help you get there. Contact them at: www.ktelmessinias.gr
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Methoni Castle
The castle of Methoni
Built by the Venetians in the early 13th century on a rocky promontory, the castle is among the largest ones in the Mediterranean. You’ll be astonished at the bridge stone of 14 arches which connects the castle to the shore instead of the timber one that used to stand in its place before the Venetians ever got there. The celebrated symbol of Venice, the lion of St Marc, dominates the gate of the castle where immured reliefs, emblems, blazons, inscriptions, the huge gates –especially the main gate, above the moat – and the relics of two Ottoman bathhouses have survived.
At the south edge of the castle a fortified islet floats. Bourtzi, as it is called, a prison and place of executions during the Turkish Occupation, was built in 1500 and is connected to the Sea Gate of the castle with a paved tiny road.
Don’t forget to:
Stroll in the scenic town of Methoni and marvel at the local well preserved architecture.
Visit the built-in-the-rocks catacombs of St Onoufrios (2km N of Methoni) and the catholic monastery of St Leon.
Swim at the beautiful beach by the castle, as well as at the beaches of Mavrovouni, Amenomylos, Loutsa and Akritika.
Pay a visit to Sapientza Island, a significant wetland habitat nestling the kri kri wild sheep, birds etc in a protected forest with arbutus trees. A 19th century stone lighthouse and an exceptional sandy beach are no less of an attraction too.. Methoni is 21km SW of Kalamata, whereas Koroni is 52km to the same direction. Local buses will help you get there. Contact them at: www.ktelmessinias.gr
The Diros caves are just an hour from Gythion. The Paleolithic and Neolithic artifacts found here, many of which are in display in the museum, mean that the caves were one of the earliest inhabited places in Greece. The known part of the caves cover an area of around 33.000 square meters of which only 5.000 square meters have been explored. Some say that the caves go even further, maybe as far as Mount Tagetos and Sparta.
Located at the top of the Mani between the town of Pirgos Dirou and Areopolis the entrance is a few meters above the sea and a beautiful stone beach. When you arrive at the Caves you buy your 15 euro ticket at the booth and continue driving to the parking lot just outside the entrance. Try to get here early especially in the summer. In the off season you should also come early because it closes early. When you enter the cave you will walk down a stairway to an underground lake where there are boats waiting. Each boat gets a guide to journey through the caverns and tunnels, which are eerily lit and adorned with stalactites and stalagmites, many with interesting names. You will pass through some sections just wide enough to allow your boat, where you have to duck your head and then enter into an enormous subterranean room where you can hear the voices of people on other boats in the distance. The air is a comfortable seventy degrees at any time of the year (so bring a sweater or light jacket if you tend to get cold).
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Cuevas de Diros
The Diros caves are just an hour from Gythion. The Paleolithic and Neolithic artifacts found here, many of which are in display in the museum, mean that the caves were one of the earliest inhabited places in Greece. The known part of the caves cover an area of around 33.000 square meters of which only 5.000 square meters have been explored. Some say that the caves go even further, maybe as far as Mount Tagetos and Sparta.
Located at the top of the Mani between the town of Pirgos Dirou and Areopolis the entrance is a few meters above the sea and a beautiful stone beach. When you arrive at the Caves you buy your 15 euro ticket at the booth and continue driving to the parking lot just outside the entrance. Try to get here early especially in the summer. In the off season you should also come early because it closes early. When you enter the cave you will walk down a stairway to an underground lake where there are boats waiting. Each boat gets a guide to journey through the caverns and tunnels, which are eerily lit and adorned with stalactites and stalagmites, many with interesting names. You will pass through some sections just wide enough to allow your boat, where you have to duck your head and then enter into an enormous subterranean room where you can hear the voices of people on other boats in the distance. The air is a comfortable seventy degrees at any time of the year (so bring a sweater or light jacket if you tend to get cold).
Voidokilia Beach is a popular beach in Messinia in the Mediterranean area. In the shape of the Greek letter omega (Ω), its sand forms a semicircular strip of dunes. On the land-facing side of the strip of dunes is Gialova Lagoon, an important bird habitat. The beach has been named "A Place of Particular Natural Beauty". It is part of a Natura 2000 protected area. A hiking route begins from Voidokoilia. The climb towards Nestor's Cave begins at the south-west end of the beach, while after the cave the route continues towards Paliokastro. Though the ruins are not fenced off, the castle ruins are sign-posted as closed and tourists walk through the castle or around the walls.
Gialova's aquatic habitat, being an important stop for a variety of migratory birds, has been declared the southernmost Habitat of National Importance in the Balkans. It is considered a protected area hosting 258 species of birds out of which the 79 are included in the "Red Book" (species under threat of extinction).
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Voidokilia Beach
Voidokilia Beach is a popular beach in Messinia in the Mediterranean area. In the shape of the Greek letter omega (Ω), its sand forms a semicircular strip of dunes. On the land-facing side of the strip of dunes is Gialova Lagoon, an important bird habitat. The beach has been named "A Place of Particular Natural Beauty". It is part of a Natura 2000 protected area. A hiking route begins from Voidokoilia. The climb towards Nestor's Cave begins at the south-west end of the beach, while after the cave the route continues towards Paliokastro. Though the ruins are not fenced off, the castle ruins are sign-posted as closed and tourists walk through the castle or around the walls.
Gialova's aquatic habitat, being an important stop for a variety of migratory birds, has been declared the southernmost Habitat of National Importance in the Balkans. It is considered a protected area hosting 258 species of birds out of which the 79 are included in the "Red Book" (species under threat of extinction).