SoukidiaVillas, Oitylo, Mani, Laconia, Greece. Email: info@soukidiavillas.gr
Itylon Bay stretches in front of you, named after the small town of Itylo perched on top of cliffs to the north east of the bay and stretching round to the small fishing village of Limeni to the south. This is the heart of the Mani an area steeped in history. If you look closely you will spot ancient columns and inscriptions built into churches. To the east is the Ottoman castle of Kelefa, and there are plenty more castles and beautiful churches in Mani. 30 minutes drive to the east is Gytheion, a bustling seaside port lined with enticing fish restaurants. It was also the location of Paris and Helen of Troy’s first romantic evening together!
Mani was independent of Ottoman rule and the most famous of its families were the Mavromichalis (The Black Michaels). Limeni, now a sleepy fishing village, was their headquarters and their ancestral war tower still dominates the location.
To the north you have the Exo (Outer) Mani, with lovely and unspoilt resorts such as Agios Dimitrios, Stoupa and Kardamyli and fascinating mountain villages strung along the slopes of the stunningly beautiful Taygetus mountains. To the south you have the mountain of Kouskouni overlooking the town of Areopoli and then stretching down to Cape Matapan, or Taenaron – the gateway to Hades, is the Mesa, or Lower Mani with places such as Gerolimanas, Alika, Vathia (the tower village), Lagia, Kotronas, Skoutari, Ageranos. A feast of old Maniat tower houses, the world famous Diros Caves, exquisite Byzantine churches and romantic Frankish castles, and some delightfully empty coves and beaches await the adventurous traveler.
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