|
Mani
Mani
area lies in the Peleponnise penisoula. It is divided
in two parts: the Messinian Mani which lies in the Messinia
municipality and the Laconian Mani which lies in the Laconia
municipality. From the ancient times Mani was a developed area
with a brilliant civilisation. Many archeological 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. Telling you
about Mani's history is not our goal. Here we'll try to show some of the
places and things that make Mani one of the best places to visit.
Messinian Mani: 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. Wooded slopes and
rugged peaks. Brooks and torrents. Deep gorges and high ridges.
Only by the sea is it peaceful. Mikri and Megali Mantinia, Avia,
Ano and Kato Verga Akrogiali, Kitries are some of the villages. Sand and
pebbles and little coves but also pine and fir woods and crystalline
springs, solitary chapels and caves once the dwelling place of nymphs
and lined with stalagmites. Hamlets hidden in the mountainsides
and hamlets on the waters edge. Stone houses. Sitting rooms with
fireplaces. Flower-filled courtyards. Cobbled lanes.
Byzantine churches and
castles. Smudged frescoes and tall towers. As you penetrate further into
this astonishing land, you want to get to the heart of it, to have
fun with it, to fight for its sake. You breathe the perfumed
breeze that wafts down from Taigetos or you forget yourself
swimming alone in a delightful cove.
Then more towers and
churches (Kardamili) and more wild gorges (Diros) and after a
while Maniot towers yet again and charming fishing villages and
another irresistable cove. On
to shiny rocks and fabulous caves (Katalighi), more churches and
belltowers (Thalames - Platsa) as you keep walking, a bit bewµldered by
so much to contemplate but proud, and happy to be alive in such
surroundings. What else can you say about this place, about this
wealth.
Weather Information: Warm Mediterranean
climate with mild winters. Warm, subtropical summers. Expect the dry,
sunny days of a Mediterranean climate. In fact, in July it is not
uncommon to find temperatures of more than 40 °C on some days.
Hot days are often cooled by a system of seasonal breezes popularly
called Meltemia. These "Meltemi" winds, blow from north to
south usually starting around noon. In general, from June to
August rainfall is rare. On average, the sun shines for 3,000 hours per
year!
|