Jaap van 't Veen's photos with the keyword: Λακωνίας

Rusty Dimitrios shipwreck is an imposing cargo ship that has been abandoned on Valtaki beach since 1981. It is believed that this ship was used for transporting illegal cigarettes between Turkey and Italy, however many refer to this ship as a ghost ship, of which the origins remain unknown.

Vathia - or Vatheia - is a traditional village in the southernmost tip of the Mani peninsula on the Peloponnese. The village was built from the mid 16th century. In the 19th century the village had about 300 inhabitants, who were mainly farmers and the olive harvest was their main occupation. At the beginning of the 20th century the inhabitants left the village due to poverty and at the end of the eighties of the last century there were hardly any people living there. Nowadays Vathia - often called a ghost town - is almost completely uninhabited. It has about 90 typical tower houses with the typical architecture of the Mani; most of them are empty and partly dilapidated, but in the meantime some have been renovated. The tower houses in Vathia are built like fortresses with two or three floors. The people, at one time, fiercely guarded their land and livelihoods, either from foreign invaders or rival families. The fortress-like houses provided the ideal opportunity to keep a lookout in the case of a potential invasion. The head of each household was considered to be a ‘mini warlord’, who had the interests of the family at the center of his concerns. The fierceness of the people, the rugged terrain and the strategic location of the tower houses helped keep Mani (and Vathia) free from invaders and it even maintained its independence from the Ottoman Empire.. Vathia is built on a hill top in the middle of an impressive landscape with beautiful sea views. It is located halfway between Areopoli and Cape Tenaro.

The picturesque village of Porto Kagio is located in a small bay nearby the southernmost tip of the Mani Peninsula, where the landscape is presented by high barren hills and indented coast with bays. It is the southernmost natural port of mainland Greece. The tiny village is far from civilization, making it peaceful and quiet. Right in front there is a small pebbly beach with crystal-clear waters. The village has always been a very important port. It was already mentioned in the 2nd century AD, when it was known as Psammathous. The modern name comes from the Venetian “Porto Quaglio” and the French (Frankish) “Port des Cailles” (Quail Port). Porto Kagio was the base of the pirate fleet of Lambros Katsonis. Lambros Katsonis sailed from port to port, looting Ottoman boats and trying to get the Greeks to start a revolution. During World War II, it was the place from which a significant number of British soldiers escaped to Egypt.

One of the must see sights in Areopoli is the dual church of Agios Charalambos and Panagia. The church - located in the centre of the town - offers frescoes dating back to 1869. It has an interesting stepped belfry with stone reliefs.

The town of Areopoli is built at the foot of the Elias Mountain at an altitude of 250 meters. According to tradition, the name Areopoli is attributed to the god of war Ares. The village used to be called Tsimova before being renamed to Areopoli in 1912. Like the rest of the Mani settlements, Areopolis is known for its major contribution in the Greek War of Independence against the Ottoman Empire. The Greek War of Independence started in Areopolis on March 17, 1821 by Petros Pierrakos, also known as Petros Mavromichalis, the last bey of Mani. Nowadays Areopoli is a popular holiday destination offering many sights like stone houses, churches, imposing traditional Mani towers and cobblestoned streets. At the central square of the village “Platia Athanaton” one will come across the statue of Petrompeis Mavromichalis, the famous chieftain and offspring of the Mavromichali family. Areopoli is also starting point for a Mani Peninsula-visit.

The Saint Spyridion church was built by the first inhabitants of the island. They came from Mani, one of the The Agios Spyridon church ( Αγίου Σπυρίδωνα ) - located at the entrance of the port of Elafonisos - is the landmark of the little island. The church is built on a rocky island with cedar trees and is connected with the main island by a bridge. The church was built by the first inhabitants of the island. They came from Mani, one of the three peninsulas which extend from the Peloponnese, around the year of 1858. The church was renovated in 1962. The iconostasis is made of stones from Malta and decorated with remarkable icons. The church is the only historical holy monument on Elafonisos.

Elafonisos ( Ελαφόνησος ) is a small island off the coast of the Peloponnese. The area of the island is just 19 square kilometres. Elafonisos is by far the largest inhabited island in the Peloponnese archipelago, and the only one that is a separate municipality. There are also some archaeological discoveries to explore on the island and in the surrounding waters. The main church is Agios Spyridon , which is built on a separate, tiny piece of land which is connected by a bridge to the rest of the island. Elafonisos is a popular holiday destination due to its sandy beaches and turquoise waters. In antiquity, Elafonisos did not constitute an island but a peninsula with the name Onou Gnathos. It took its current form after a devastating earthquake in the year of 375, which divided Elafonisos from mainland Peloponnese.