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Tribute in Lakonia
whataboutgreece.com 10-06-2011
Tribute in Lakonia
Lakonia is the southernmost prefecture of the mainland of Greece. Somewhat forgotten in recent years, but not in ancient Greece, where the Spartans were known for their martial arts and the ever-growing power. A force that has inherited many important monuments in the modern descendants of Lakonia.
Starting from the north places of the county we find Mystras. On the hill of Mizithras, near the new city of Sparti, lies the ancient home of Leonidas. Behind the walls of the well-organized fortress many monasteries and churches of Byzantine era, as well as noble houses are hidden. Making a tour, we start from Kato Chora, where are the remarkable monasteries and the Museum of Mystras. Crossing the Cathedral and heading towards the mountainous parts we reach Ano Chora, where the monastery of Pantanassa is built and the nuns, who live there, are the last permanent residents of Mystras. Going upper we reach the fort which had the leadership of the castles of Peloponnese.
To the south of the county is cape Tainaro, which hosts Mani and Gytheio. The above was one of the main ports of Peloponnese in older years, but now it's just a beautiful place for the visitors. One of the most impressive parts is the amphitheatric way that Gytheio is built on the hill, it lookslike an island with many neoclassical buildings located the one next to the other.
Moving towards Tainaro we pass from Mani with the stone houses and the magnificent towers. A little westward is the cave of Vlihadas Dyrou, one of the most beautiful creations of nature, which everyone can visit. Reaching the southernmost point of mainland Greece we face the endless sea and the lighthouse of Akrotainaro.
Heading towards the eastern peninsula of Lakonia we meet the Castle City of Monemvasia. The creation of the Monemvasia's impessive rock is due to an earthquake that cut it off from the mainland. The Castle City of Monemvasia was an important fortress and military point, because of its location and its walls. Inside these walls are built and preserved mansions, many churches (estimated at 24), and a mosque, which reveal the history of it's conquerors. All these images may be revived to everyone just with a walk in the Castle City.
Just opposite Akrotainaro is Kavo Malea, where is the Lighthouse, a historical and preserved monument. Next to the Lighthouse is located the "Small Agio Oros" as it is called, an area full of monasteries and churches from the 13th century. Very remarkable also are the petrified forest of Agia Marina, which constitutes one of the most important sights of Greece, and the cave of Kastania in Neapoli, which is the richest cave in "stalagmites" in the country.
For admirers of literature, Lakonia supports and promotes two Greek poets who come from there, Nikiforos Vrettakos and Giannis Ritsos. At the Central Public Library in Sparti are exhibited the manuscripts, the photographs and the first editions of Nikiforos Vrettakos. Also, the visitors have the opportunity to see the library of the poet, his typewriter as well as the packages of cigarettes, on which he used to keep notes of his poems. Apart from Nikiforos Vrettakos, Monemvasia honors also its own poet, Giannis Ritsos. Inside the Castle City of Monemvasia is the preserved house of the Greek poet which is open to the visitors.
Finally, Lakonia is an ideal place for relaxation, as it has very beautiful and clean beaches, such as the beaches at Mavrovouni, Aeropoli and Oitilo of Mani, the coasts at Kiparissi and Gerakas, as well as the beach of Glyfada at Gytheio. But the most beautiful beaches of Lakonia are at Elafonisos, a small island located a few meters away from the coast of Neapoli and the access is easy by boat. The most famous beach of Elafonisos is the one of Simos.
Lakonia, therefore, is a county full of surprises, which awaits exploration. Although, the human factor didn't help in the development of the county, the nature took care of showing her beauty, and made Lakonia known for many, but not all of her sights. So, what remains is a visit to discover the rest.
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