The historical area of Mani is located in the Southern part of the Peloponnese peninsula extending from Kalamata to Sparta. Mani is one of the most historical places in Greece since its famous not only for the famous ancient civilization of Sparta but also for its strength and solidarity in keeping the Greek nation alive during the Turkish occupation (1453-1821).Messinian mani is also one of the most beautiful places in Greece, combining a scent of aristocratic mansions of renaissance architecture with the ambience of the Mediterranean flair.
The natural beauty of the area, its history, its tradition, the militancy and bravery of its people through the national adventures sets it next to areas that have become symbols such as Crete, Ipiros, Macedonia and others.
Mani means “Mother Earth” in Greek. It was named like this since Greeks at that time wanted to keep their primal Greek customs and traditions alive and pass them on to the next generations.
The successful Greek revolution against the Turkish occupants started in Mani and spread through out the whole Greek territory.
The core of the messinian Mani can be considered to be the Municipality of Lefktron.
Lefktron, a part of Mani consists of 19 villages among which the famous villages of Kardamili, Stoupa and Aghios Nikolaos.
The capital is Kardamili a unique place of utmost beauty, a picturesque driven out from a painting.
Ritsa, Kalamitsi, Foneas, Kaminia, Kalogria, Stoupa and Platis Ammos or Pantazi are the main beaches of the region that combine sand and crystal waters, all ideal for swimming.
Lefktron is also famous for another reason: Its because in the beginning of the 20th century the famous writer Nikos Kazantzakis lived and worked together with Alexis Zorbas in the mines of kardamili. It is here that he got the inspiration and wrote afterwards the famous novel that we all talk about through the generations.
Steeply rocks, caves and canyons harmonize with olive groves, picturesque beaches, small ports, little islands and tower houses . The castle of Stoupa, Kazantzakis’ mines in Prastova, the towerhouses at the old part of Kardamili and its small island, the cobbled roads, the fountains on the streets, the traditional bridges and the scattered byzantine churches around the villages, all contribute to the perfection of the region.
Colours and scents of all kinds of wild flowers and herbs welcome the visitor at any time of the year.
The climate of the region is warm, Mediterranean. There are green winters and a lot of sunlight that make it a touristic destination all year long.
Access
To access the county of Lefktron (Aghios Nikolaos village) in the Messinian Mani peninsula you can use car or air transportation. The Villas are 40 km away from Kalamata (45min) and approximately 300 km ( 3.5 hour) drive from Athens. During the summer season there are international charter flights daily from big European cities to Kalamata.
Directions from Athens
- Take the Highway towards Korinthos
- At Korinthos follow signs to Triopoli
- At Tripoli continue towards Kalamata
- At Kalamata you drive towards Areopoli
- In your way you find the villages of Kampos, Stavropigio, Kardamili, Stoupa and Agios Nikolaos
- As soon as you reach Agios Nikolaos you stay on the main road and you find a sign for Riglia, continue on the same road and after 150 m there is a sign towards Paralia Pantazi (ΠΑΡΑΛΙΑ ΠΑΝΤΑΖΙ). Turn right at the sign and you will find the Villas at 100m.
Directions from Kalamata airport
- Drive towards Kalamata City Centre
- At Kalamata you drive towards Areopoli.
- In your way you find the villages of Kampos, Stavropigio, Kardamili, Stoupa and Agios Nikolaos.
- As soon as you reach Agios Nikolaos you stay on the main road and you find a sign for Riglia, continue on the same road and after 150 m there is a sign towards Paralia Pantazi (ΠΑΡΑΛΙΑ ΠΑΝΤΑΖΙ). Turn right at the sign and you will find the Villas at 100m.
