Mani is not a village or a settlement. It is an area on the very edge of the Peloponnese, carefully preserving its identity.
Just think: the first instruments found at the excavations of Mani are 1 million years old. And the oldest remains are definitely at least 300,000 years old. The history of one of the Peloponnesian peninsulas is eventful. The Spartans, Byzantines and Venetians had possession of Mani. Mani did not fall victim to the Turks, remaining unconquered and proud. Moreover: the locals fought against the Ottoman forces far beyond the peninsula. The Maniots themselves call themselves descendants of the Spartans and differ from the inhabitants of other regions of Greece. They are calmer and, in the opinion of visitors to the peninsula, even sterner - as is typical for bearers of "bellicose roots.
And here is the first difference between the Maniotians and the rest of the Greeks - the tower-houses, which became the visiting card of the peninsula. In the years of Mani's especially fierce defense against the raids of the Turks, every more or less influential person on the peninsula or head of a clan owned such a house. The buildings were uninhabited, but more than once they helped the Maniots when they needed to repel an attack or survey their surroundings. Tower houses were a symbol of unity, a demonstration of strength.
In addition to the surviving tower houses of historical interest, the Maniots even built modern houses in a similar style. In some villages, these are the only dwellings that exist. They look modest, do not impress with the elegance of architecture. But such houses you will not see anywhere else in Greece.
The village of Vafia is a typical example of a settlement where tower houses dominate. In the distant past, to build a house in Vafia was to occupy a dominant position. Everything you see in the village today dates back to the period from 1840 to 1915. Wafia is located at an altitude of 200 meters, with views of the coast, sea and mountains.
Vafia has been called one of the most photographed villages in Greece. Some houses are abandoned, others have been restored. The only amenities are a restaurant and one guest house. And you can understand why visitors to the Peloponnese Vafia is so beloved: the power emanating from these stones in combination with the scenery just "knocks you down.
Tiled domes and ancient iconostases are the jewels of every Byzantine church. You'll see them in any village on the peninsula. The oldest ones date back to the IX century and are of great historical value. Many of the churches have preserved their medieval frescoes - some have survived only in fragments, others have been restored and are presented in all their splendor.
Githio (or Yithion) is a town that should be in every itinerary in Mani. In ancient times it was a port of Sparta and then prospered under the Romans until an earthquake struck Githio. In the city it is worth visiting the ancient amphitheater, found in the early 20th century, the agora, whose excavations are still going on, the early Christian basilica and the ruins of the Roman tombs.
All the beauty of ancient Mani is concentrated in the appearance of the seaside town of Kardamili. Surrounded by cypress and olive groves, it charms with its ancient architecture. Walk the streets, see the stone tower houses, visit the church of St. Spiridon and head to the nearby islet with its defensive walls and the Church of Our Lady. In Kardamilie you can take a break: the town is well developed and famous for its excellent beaches.
The ancient heritage of Mani can be continued in the village of Tsopakos. Here is an ancient basilica with frescoes from the 13th century. Then go to the village Erimos where there is the beautiful church of St. Barbara, one of the most beautiful in the peninsula of Mani.
In the peninsula of Mani it is worth buying olive oil. The local olives, grown on special soils, produce oil of excellent taste.
By plane: The nearest airport is Kalamata. It receives flights from cities in Greece and Europe.
By ferry: for example, via Githio, which connects the Peloponnese with Crete (port of Kissamos).
