Velanidia, Peloponnese, Southern Greece.

Aerial view of the village of Velanidia, which is nestled into the mountain of Krithina and over-looks the sea. On a clear day you can see for miles and the outlines of various islands are defined.

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The nearest town is the port of Neapolis - a spectacular drive of 18 k (half an hour) over the mountain of Krithina from the village of Velanidia.

Kithira Island is a one hour ferry trip from Neapolis and Elafonissos Island just a 15 minute boat ride away from the town.

There are extensive caves of St. Andreas at Kastania and a petrified forest at St. Marina. Monemvasia Castle - the Byzantium island fortress is an hour's drive away.

Velanidia (which means acorn) is called the small Mount Athos because of all the Byzantium churches around, built in the 12th century. It is also thought to be the possible site of the ancient Mycenae city of Sidi. Churches interesting for their architecture and frescoes include that of St. John, carved into the mountain over-looking the village, St. Konstantinos, St. Myros, St. George and the Church of the Saviour.

Recommended reading: Southern Peloponnese by Michael Cullen, published by Sunflower.

The lighthouse of Cape Maleas is one of the largest and oldest in the Mediterranean - a good 3 hours walk from the place you can park your car. There is talk of turning it into a museum...

There is also a German stone fortress high on the mountain, which is still in good repair. The Germans followed the Italians into the area during World War II.

Villages in the surrounding area include Paradisi which was abandoned after the liberation from the Turks. It has a cool tranquil atmostphere with it's fresh running water by the Byzantine monastery of the Virgin Mary.

Lachi has the Byzantine chapel of St. George, which contains frescoes. It also has an excellent taverna with home cooked dishes run by Matina.

Paliokastro has a small port and ruins of a castle.

St. Nicholas - the surrounding area had settlements in the 2nd century B.C. as testified by artifacts found both on land and in the sea.

This is where the petrified forest of St. Marina can be seen, which in fact, I think was an ancient temple because of the layout of the petrified trees which are all grouped in threes. It is an hour's walk to the Cape of Maleas, which has a beautiful monastery of St. Irene. A traveller can stay here free of charge and see the chapel of St. George built right into the cliff. It is especially romantic at sun set, when often dolphins swim past.

Mesohori has a castle dating from Medieval times, the first known reference to it being in 1200 A.D. The Byzantine chapel of St. Theodoros has remnants of richly painted frescoes (all the eyes of which were destroyed by the Turks.)

There is also a Medieval castle at St. Paraskevi which was known as the White Fortress, built by the Venetians after 1479, when with the Turko-Venetian treaty the Venetians kept Vatica and Monemvasia. This castle however, existed long before the Venetians.

Faraklo - 'Vatica's balcony'. Dates from the middle ages and in the 16th century it was one of the largest towns in the Peloponnese. After the Greek revolt of 1821, Faraklo became the capital of the district of Malea. There are fine old stone buildings, ruins of Venetian buildings as well as of a Turkish mosque.

Upper & Lower Kastania also date from Byzantine times and close to here are the extensive caves of St. Andrew, well worth a visit at E8 entrance fee (last year, maybe it has now gone up...)

The town of Neapolis was founded in the mid-19th century on the site of ancient Boiai (pronounced Vi-e), a city founded in the second millenium B.C. by King Boias, a descendent of Hercules. Boiai was populated by the inhabitants of three nearby Mycenaean cities, Etis, Sidi and Aphrodisias. An important port of the Spartans during the Peloponnesian Wars. During the Roman times the city was a member of the Free Laconian League. It's economical and cultural fortune peaked during the Hellenistic era. During Byzantine times, the name Boiai became Vatica, a name which today is used to refer to the region's 2 villages.

There is only one bus on week days, leaving at 6.45 am and returning at about 2.45 pm.

The average yearly temperatures are:

January 10 - 15C
February 10 - 15C
March 15 - 18C
April 18 - 20C
May 20 - 22C
June 24 - 16C
July )
August ) very hot can reach 40C
September 30C
October 22 - 28C
November 20C
December 16 - 18C

Cars can be rented at the Athens airport if needed or Monemvasia, or from the island of Kythera.

There is a regular bus service from the airport to either Athens or Piraeus bus stations and from there down to Neapolis is about a 6 hour drive, followed by half an hour in a taxi (if you can find one...)

Velanidia has one mini supermarket, two coffee shop tavernas: The Rock and the Monte Carlo and one beach side taverna close to the accommodations.

Velanidia, Peloponnese, Southern Greece.

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Aerial view of Velanidia

12C Byzantine church of the Saviour

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Map of Lakonias, showing the Mani 'finger' on the left hand side

St. George's beach - possible site of ancient Mycenae city of Sidi with 12th century Byzantine church above it.

Neapolis at 18 k from Velanidia, is the nearest town.

Satellite view of Greece

Map of the Peloponnese

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Property and House for Sale by the sea.