The Peloponnese is located in the south of Greece. Although it is
separated from the mainland by the artificial canal of Corinth, it
is a peninsula and forms an extension of the Balkans.
The
name of the Peloponnese means something like "Island of Pelops".
Pelops is a mythological king who conquered large parts of Elis and
Arcadia. Later, the entire peninsula was named after him. Pelops can
be seen on the east gable of the Temple of Zeus in Olympia, among
other places.
Apart from Crete, the
Peloponnese is the southernmost Greek region. The temperatures are
around 3°C higher than on the mainland. Nevertheless, the mountains,
which are up to 2,400m high, offer around 20 ski resorts. Even if
the length of their slopes cannot compete with those of alpine
regions, they are usually open from the end of December to
mid-March.
The Peloponnese is an ancient cultivated land and
offers unique archaeological sites from antiquity and the Middle
Ages. Mycenaeans, ancient Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Venetians,
Franks, Ottomans, French and English have left their mark on the
region. The peninsula also has a lot to offer in terms of landscape:
the spectrum ranges from beautiful beaches to wide plains and high
mountains.
The Peloponnese is made up of the following prefectures:
Achaia (Περιφερειακή ενότητα Αχαΐας) . Capital Patras
Corinthia
(Περιφερειακή Ενότητα Κορινθίας) . Capital Corinth
Elis (Περιφερειακή
Ενότητα Ηλείας) . Capital Pyrgos.
Arcadia (Περιφερειακή Ενότητα
Αρκαδίας) . Capital Tripoli.
Argolis (Περιφερειακή Ενότητα Αργολίδας)
. Capital Nafplio
Messenia (Περιφερειακή Ενότητα Μεσσηνίας). whose
capital is Kalamata, seduces with olive groves, the impressive caves of
Diros, the ancient city of Messene and a breathtaking coastal landscape
on the Ionian Sea.
Laconia (Νομός Λακωνίας) . with Sparta as its
capital, keeps the memories of ancient Sparta and the Byzantine fortress
of Mystras is lively, while the coastal town of Gythio enchants visitors
with its charm.
1
Patras (Πάτρα). After Athens and Thessaloniki, Patras is
the third largest city in Greece and has an important port, which is
particularly well located for ferry connections to Italy. The city at
the entrance to the Gulf of Corinth is often only visited by tourists as
a stopover, but it also has some sights to offer.
2
Corinth (Κόρινθος). The city
on the Isthmus of Corinth of the same name is today a noisy and modern
Greek city. The impressive Acrocorinth fortress is located on a mountain
above the city. The archaeological site of ancient Corinth is also
waiting to be explored.
3 Pyrgos (Πύργος Ηλείας). The modern city of
Pyrgos, which is not far from Olympia on the west coast of the
Peloponnese, is not very attractive.
4
Tripoli (Τρίπολη). Tripoli is beautifully situated on
the edge of a plateau, there are comparatively good shopping
opportunities, and the city is located at the intersection of important
roads - which already describes the tourist advantages of the city.
Top sight 5 Nafplion (Ναύπλιο). Nafplion was once the first capital of
Greece. The Palimidi fortress towers majestically over the old town and
offers a beautiful panoramic view of the Argolic Gulf. Although the city
is firmly in the hands of tourists, it captivates with its unique flair.
Restaurants, cafes, boutiques, souvenir shops and guest houses line up
in beautifully restored houses.
6
Pylos (Πύλος). The small fishing
village, where tourism has long since arrived, is located in the
southwest of the Peloponnese. The village nestles charmingly on a
hillside and offers a beautiful view of the historically significant bay
in many places. In the immediate vicinity there are beautiful beaches,
the Palace of Nestor and a dilapidated Venetian fortress and an aqueduct
worth seeing.
7 Kalamata (Καλαμάτα). The
noisy city of Kalamata is the economic center of the southern
Peloponnese. The famous Kalamata olive oil also comes from its
surroundings. In addition to the old town and the large pebble beach,
the city is above all a good starting point for day trips. From the
castle ruins with its rich history on a rocky hill in the northwest of
the city of Kalamata you have a wonderful view of the city. Before the
Trojan War there was an ancient acropolis on the hill and later a
Byzantine fortress. The ruins of today are the remains of the castle
that was (re)built there at the beginning of the 13th century during the
Frankish occupation.
8 Sparta (Αρχαία
Σπάρτη). Only a small, inconspicuous archaeological site testifies to
the city's former glory after Sparta was razed to the ground by the
Ottomans. Most tourists today are drawn to nearby Mystras, by far the
most important Byzantine monument in Greece.
9 Stoupa (Στούπα
Μεσσηνίας). Small seaside resort at the entrance to Mani. Characterized
by smaller hotels and guest houses, many holiday homes and apartments.
Since there are no large hotels, the place is still charming and a bit
sleepy even in high season. There are two beaches right in the town,
"Kalogria" is one of the most famous in Messinia because it has
wonderfully fine sand. There are two other beaches in the immediate
vicinity, more with pebbles. The landscape is ideal for hiking - better
not in the hot summer, though. Beautiful excursions, e.g. with a rented
scooter, go to Agios Nikolaos, Kastania, Kardamyli.
10 Gythio (Γύθειον). The small coastal town is
the tourist center of the Laconian Gulf.
Cities: Patras, Nafplion
Ancient sites: Mycenae, Olympia,
Epidaurus
Castles: Methoni, Monemvasia
Landscapes: Mani Peninsula,
Louisos Gorge
Monasteries: Agia Lávra, Méga Spileo
Mycenaean culture (ca. 1600-1100 BC): Archaeological sites can be
found all over the Peloponnese that bear witness to many past cultures.
The most important sites of the Mycenaean culture are:
1 Mycenae
(Μυκήνες). was one of the most important cities in Greece in
pre-classical times, and the Mycenaean culture was named after it. The
ruins of the Mycenaean upper town have been preserved and excavated
today, among other things. The remains of the Cyclopean ring wall and
the Lion Gate are worth mentioning.
2 Tiryns (Τίρυνθα). Tiryns was an
important Mycenaean settlement. 1.5 km from the sea, it controlled the
trade routes between the mainland and the centres of the Aegean. It is
believed that Tiryns acted as a port of Mycenae, mainly because it never
achieved the latter's fame. Today Tiryns is a well-known but
little-visited archaeological site.
3 Nestor's Palace (Ανάκτορο του
Νέστορα) . Remains of a large Mycenaean palace and administrative centre
from the Late Helladic period.
4 Heraion of Perachora (Ηραίον της
Περαχώρας) . is a sanctuary of the goddess Hera in a small bay of the
Corinthian Gulf at the end of the Perachora peninsula. In addition to a
Temple of Hera of unusual design, remains of a number of other
structures have been found, including an L-shaped stoa, a large cistern,
dining rooms, and a second potential temple. The Sanctuary of Hera at
Perachora is located 14.2km northwest of Corinth and 75.9km west of
Athens. Although there is debate between Argos, Megara, and Corinth, the
sanctuary was probably under Corinthian control, as it was located off
the ports of that powerful city across the Gulf of Corinth. Cult
activity at the site may have continued from the 9th century BC until
146 BC, when the Roman general Mummius sacked Corinth during war with
the Achaean League. In Roman times, domestic structures were built on
the site, suggesting that the area was no longer a sanctuary. This site
is significant for research into the origins of Greek temple
architecture and rural cults.
5 Pavlopetri (Παυλοπέτρι) . The sunken
city of Pavlopetri, off the coast of southern Laconia, is about 5,000
years old, making it one of the oldest sunken cities as well as the
oldest in the Mediterranean.
6 Bridges of Arkadiko (Γέφυρα του
Αρκαδικού) . 3,300-year-old chariot bridge still in use today. The
Arkadiko Bridge was built between 1300 and 1190 BC, making it one of the
oldest arched bridges still in existence. Built on a road connecting
Tiryns to Epidaurus, it was part of a larger military road system.
Hellenistic-Roman: The ancient sites sometimes show different
construction phases of Hellenistic (750-146 BC) and Roman rule (146
BC-395 AD). Important sites are:
7 Olympia (Ολυμπία) . was the
sanctuary of Zeus. It was the venue for the ancient Olympic Games. On
the edge of the ancient sanctuary is the modern city of Archea Olymbia.
8 Epidaurus (Επίδαυρος) . is the most important ancient cult site
for the healing god Asklepios (Asklepieion) and his father Apollo in
Greece. The well-preserved theater is particularly well known. It has
been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988.
9 Messene (Αρχαία
Μεσσήνη) . This ancient city, unlike most others, was untouched by later
settlements and is therefore superbly preserved. The excavation of this
site took place relatively recently, compared to the sites of Epidaurus
and Delphi, which explains why it is still a little-known destination.
Nevertheless, the archaeological site of ancient Messene is arguably one
of the most impressive, given its size. The site has been continuously
excavated over the last 100 years, but only a third of its total size
has been completed so far!
10 Temple of Apollo at Bassae (Ναός
Επικούριου Απόλλωνα) . is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the second
best-preserved Greek temple in the motherland (after the Hephaisteion in
Athens). It was dedicated to the healing god Apollo Epikourios.
11 Mantineia (Μαντίνεια). Ancient Greek city with an eventful history.
Today, several excavations can be visited. Beautifully situated.
12 Nemea (Αρχαία Νεμέα). A heroon (probably of Opheltes) from the early
6th century BC and several treasure houses have been preserved from the
sanctuary, as well as a large bath for the athletes with several
washtubs. The main attraction of the sanctuary was and is the Temple of
Zeus.
13 Villa of Herod Atticus (Έπαυλη του Ηρώδη του Αττικού
Eastern Roman-Byzantine: There are still some fortifications from the
Byzantine period (395-1204), some of which were subsequently used by the
Franks, Venetians, Ottomans and others, such as:
15 Methoni , The
castle of Methoni - actually a fortified town - is one of the most
important and beautiful castles in Greece. It was built by the Venetians
after 1209 in a strategic location on a rock that crosses the sea and is
separated from the land by an artificial moat.
16 Monemvasia ,
Monemvasia is one of the most important medieval fortified towns in
Greece. It is also one of the most beautiful castles in the world. The
area consists mostly of a large plateau about 100m high, up to 300m wide
and 1km long. There is a mighty medieval fortress here. The city walls
and many Byzantine churches date back to the Middle Ages.
17
Chlemoutsi Castle : Chlemoutsi is a medieval castle built by the
Crusaders of the Principality of Achaia as their main fortress, and is
perhaps the finest fortress of the early Frangokratia period in Greece.
18 Karytaina Castle : The castle was built during the Frankish
occupation in the 13th century (probably in 1245) by the famous French
knight Geoffroy de Briel, Baron of Karytaina. De Briel, born in Greece,
is one of the leading figures in the Chronicle of the Morea.
19
Kyparissia Castle : The castle of Kyparissia is also known as the Castle
of Arcadia, the medieval name of the town. It was built by the Franks on
the site of an earlier Byzantine fortress. It became one of the most
important castles of the Frankish Morea.
20 Androusa Castle: The
highlight of the castle's history is that it was the seat of the
notorious mercenaries of the "Navarrese Company", who were the last
Frankish rulers of the Principality of Achaia. At that time, towards the
end of the 14th century, it was one of the most important castles in the
Peloponnese.
21 Niokastro (Pylos) Fortress: Niokastro was built by
the Turks in 1573 and conquered by the Venetians in 1686. In 1715 it
came under Turkish rule again, along with the castles of Koroni and
Palionavarino. Near Pylos is the older castle of Navarino, called
Palaiokastro or Palaionavarino. Also well worth a visit.
22 Koroni
Fortress: A castle with impressive fortifications at the south-western
end of the Peloponnese, it existed since the 7th century AD and was
completed and reconstructed by the Venetians in the 13th century. The
city flourished in the following centuries, but it was constantly in the
midst of the long conflict between the Venetians and the Turks.
23
Geraki Castle: The ruins of Geraki Castle were built by the Franks on a
low hill on the southeastern slopes of Mount Parnon. It was once one of
the most important castles in the Peloponnese.
24 Argos Castle: One
of the ancient castles in Greece. The place was fortified from
prehistoric times and remained a powerful fortress through the Classical
and Middle Ages until the 19th century.
25 Agia Paraskevi Castle. A
castle well worth seeing, especially because of its beautiful location.
There are many other castles and fortifications in the Peloponnese,
some of which are beautifully situated; a map can be found here.
The monasteries of the Peloponnese are also very old and are often
worth a visit. In the past, some monasteries played an important role in
the transmission of Greek customs and language - especially during the
Ottoman rule - and formed the nucleus of the early Greek struggle for
freedom. Important and beautifully situated monasteries are:
1
Taxiarchis. well-known monastery near Aigio.
2 Méga Spileo (Μονή
Μεγάλου Σπηλαίου). The three lowest floors fill the space of a cave, the
higher ones were stuck like swallows' nests to the rock face, which
rises for another 190m. In the church on the second floor, an image of
the Virgin Mary is on display, the work of the Apostle Luke, to whom the
monastery owes its reputation as a place of pilgrimage. According to
legend, the monastery dates back to the 4th century. It was
re-established in the 13th century by Empress Euphrosyne and took on its
current form in 1640. At the turn of the 20th century, it was considered
the largest and most prestigious monastery in Greece with (1889) 109
residents. On December 8, 1943, it was destroyed by the German
Wehrmacht, and 22 monks and visitors were murdered. The monastery looks
quite modern from the outside; it was rebuilt around 1950. Opinions are
divided about the architectural style. No photography should be taken
inside the monastery walls, and definitely not with a flash. The
monastery church has a remarkable bronze portal, and the icons and the
rather gloomy-looking painting of the dome from 1653 are also worth
noting. Liturgical vestments and vessels are on display in the monastery
museum. One floor down you enter the cave, and the spring there is said
to have healing properties. 3 Agia Lávra (Αγία Λαύρα Καλαβρύτων) . It
was built in 961 on Mount Gelmos at an altitude of 961m. It is one of
the oldest monasteries in the Peloponnese and a symbol of Greek
independence. The flag of the Greek Liberation Army was blessed here on
March 25, 1821. The Greek National Day on March 25 also dates back to
this date. The monastery was partially destroyed in World War II and
rebuilt around 1850.
4 Emialon (Μονή Αιμυαλών) . One of the most
beautiful, if lesser known, monasteries. It was founded in 1608 and
originally built into the rock, where visitors can see many of the ruins
of the first cells today. An open-air museum with the theme of hydraulic
engineering is also worth a visit nearby.
5 Prodromou and Filosofou.
and other monasteries worth seeing near Dimitsana.
6 Loukous (Μονή
Λουκούς Αρκαδίας). The monastery near Astros is actually called Moni
Metamorphossis Sotiros Loukous. The Transfiguration Monastery is still
inhabited by a few nuns. In the center of the complex is a cross-domed
church, built around 1400. The bricks are from antiquity and come partly
from a sanctuary, partly from a villa of Herodes Atticus that was
rediscovered nearby. On the way to the monastery you pass the remains of
an aqueduct, which was given a mysterious appearance by sintering and is
at least as worth seeing as the monastery itself.
7 Church of Agia
Theodora (Ιερός Ναός Αγίας Θεοδώρας) . It is considered one of the most
unique churches in the world and is listed in the Guinness Book of
Miracles. The small Byzantine church from the 11th or 12th century, on
whose roof 17 holly and maple trees grow. What is even more interesting
about these trees, usually over 30 meters tall, is that their roots are
invisible: only one root as thick as an arm is visible next to the
entrance. What is even more amazing is that even in the tiny
barrel-vaulted chapel there is no trace of trees or roots, except for a
fine patch of greenery. And there is another amazing fact about the
place: a river flows beneath the chapel, watering the trees. It is
definitely a miracle of nature and for the believers a sign of the power
of God.
8 Elona Monastery (Μονή Ελώνης Αρκαδίας). Rock monastery from
the 13th century that seems to float like an eagle's nest above the
Aiorgitiki stream in the southeast of Parnon! The view of the Dafnoula
gorge is impressive.
9 Agiou Nikolaou Sintzas Monastery (Μονή Αγίου
Νικολάου Σίντζας). Impressive rock monastery with wonderful views. A
narrow winding road leads to the monastery.
10 Timios Prodromos
Monastery. Very beautiful, renovated rock monastery with very good
views. The narrow asphalt road is a bit difficult and requires caution.
11 Monastery of St. John the Baptist. Rock monastery worth seeing. The
view from the monastery is magnificent. The tour ends at 1pm.
1 Vouraikós Gorge (Βουραϊκός). The small river Vouraikós rises in the
Aroania Mountains (also Chelmos Mountains) and flows into the Gulf of
Corinth in Diakopto. Hikes in the Vouraikós Gorge in the upper reaches
of the river are quite popular. The route of a narrow-gauge rack railway
runs through the valley, the tracks of which were only renovated in
recent years. Three trains run daily between Diakopton and Kalavrita.
The Kalvarita City Pass includes the journey from Patras and a visit to
two museums.
2 Louisos Gorge (Λούσιος). The Lousios Gorge was formed
by the river of the same name, Lousios, a tributary of the Alfios. It is
about 5,000m long and runs in a north-south direction. A well-developed
and popular hiking trail leads through the gorge. At the upper end of
the gorge is the village of Dimitsana. At the lower end of the gorge is
ancient Gortys with a freely accessible Asclepius sanctuary. The
entrances to the gorge can be reached on foot or by car via winding
roads. Gortys at the southern entrance can be reached via the branch off
the Elleniko-Stemnitsa road. A special feature are the Prodromou and
Philosophou monasteries (old and new) built into the rock walls of the
gorge. The manuscripts and scrolls preserved from the Ottoman period are
now kept in the museum in Dimitsana. The old Philosophou monastery
directly in the rock face was abandoned in favor of the new one. The
Prodromou and Philosophou monasteries (new) are still inhabited by monks
today. Visitors are welcome provided they observe the dress code.
3
Mani Peninsula (Μάνη) . The Mani, characterized by the Taygetos
Mountains, which are up to 2400 m high, and their southernmost
foothills, was a refuge for many people fleeing from foreign conquerors
until the 20th century due to its impassability and, for the same
reason, also ideal for pirates. Due to the special topography, the Mani
was a region almost free of state intervention and developed a special
type of people with their own form of culture. Although there were
individual churches in fortified places much earlier, Christianity only
really took hold in the 9th century, when countless churches and small
churches were built and decorated with some of the beautiful frescoes
that still stand today. None of the "occupying powers" over the
centuries, however, could suppress the Maniates; they always remained
free, wild, unpredictable and at odds with each other, which is
reflected in the sometimes very high Maniot defense and residential
towers. Family feuds over generations left their mark on the Maniates.
It was in this region that the beginnings of the Greek liberation from
the 400-year rule of the Ottoman Empire were organized and started.
Important tourist locations are Itylo, located below Areopoli, and
Stoupa, a little to the north on the sunny side of the Mani. The
stalactite cave at Pyrgos Dirou, which can be visited by boat, and the
village of Vathia with twelve well-restored residential towers are among
the main attractions of the Mani. One of the oldest places in the Mani
could be Kardamili, which is already mentioned in Homer's Iliad.
4
Caves of Pirgos Dirou (Σπήλαιο Γλυφάδα Διρού). The stalactite cave at
Pyrgos Dirou is one of three caves located directly by the sea in the
bay of Diros. The stalactite cave, also known as Glyfada or Vlychada, is
open to tourists and is one of the main attractions of the Mani
peninsula. Visitors can visit the cave on a 2,800m long boat trip
lasting around 25 minutes, followed by a 300m long climb. The boats are
poled by the guides through the rock labyrinth with narrow passageways
and large halls.
5 Kastania Cave (Σπήλαιο Αγίου Ανδρέα Καστανιάς),
Agios Andreas, KastaniaMunicipality of Monemvasia, 23053 . large, very
interesting stalactite cave.
Diros Cave. A very beautiful cave system
that is shown on a 20-minute boat trip. Occasionally you have to duck
your head as the ceiling is very low. Cave visitors should not be
claustrophobic. Expect long waiting times.
6 Kapsia Cave (Σπήλαιο
Κάψια) . Interesting cave. Safe passage. The most striking (if a little
creepy) are the human bones of captured victims from the ancient past,
bones that have become one with the rock.
7 Kaiades Cave (Καιάδας) .
Supposedly a place where the ancient Spartans threw disabled or infant
babies to secure their eugenic race.
8 Lakes Cave (Σπήλαιο Λιμνών).
Tel.: +302692031001 . The cave, which is well worth seeing, is an
ancient underground river consisting of three levels. At the end of
winter, when the snow melts, it turns into a flowing river with
waterfalls. In summer it dries up and leaves behind 13 lakes.
9
Franchthi Cave (Σπήλαιο Φράγχθι). This cave, which is well worth seeing,
can only be reached via a 20-minute walk from Lambayana Beach in Fourni
to the north. There is an officially signposted car park for the by no
means barrier-free footpath to the Franchthi Cave.
10 Polylimnio
Waterfall. The nature is breathtakingly beautiful. The completely
undeveloped and little developed area is not (yet) overrun by tourists
and invites you to relax and swim in the refreshingly cool water. The
path through the gorge is easy to walk, but the last stage leads up a
steep path that requires time and some experience as well as good
footwear. Be sure to bring your bathing suit!
11 Neda Waterfall
(Νέδα). Beautiful waterfall with a small lake for swimming in a
wonderful setting. Only a little difficult to reach on foot and via a
dirt road. The Neda River with its waterfalls is one of Greece's
protected natural landscapes.
12 Stenosia & Kalamaris waterfalls.
Great waterfall and small lake with a small rest area at the top, bring
sturdy shoes! You can walk quite a long way down, but it's not easy and
there are slippery passages. Not for older or disabled people! The
Kalamaris waterfall and lake is about 2km further east in the parallel
valley. Very beautiful waterfall in a great landscape. Can only be
reached on foot.
13 Nemouta waterfalls. In this water-rich area there
are a whole series of beautiful waterfalls in wonderful surroundings.
Can only be reached on foot. Access to the waterfalls is not easy. The
signage is also patchy, so you should ask the villagers if you have any
doubts. From Nemouta there are countless serpentines, some of which are
very steep, into the beautiful valley. From the large car park you can
then go to the waterfalls, a sign shows the locations of the waterfalls.
You should bring sturdy shoes if you want to visit these beautiful,
still relatively unknown waterfalls.
14 Doxa Mountain Lake (Λίμνη
Δόξα). The reservoir at 900m is a popular tourist destination and
suitable for swimming.
15 Menalon (Μαίναλο). With a height of 1,981
meters, it is the highest elevation in the Arcadia region, a popular
destination for hikers and nature lovers and is part of the Untouched
Mountains of Greece nature reserves. The Menalon Mountains are also
known for their gorges, rivers and waterfalls, which provide a
spectacular backdrop for hikes. Near the mountain there are some
picturesque mountain villages known for their traditional architecture
and hospitality. The Menalon hiking trail is 75km long and leads through
the villages and the gorge of the Lousios river, the western slopes of
Mount Menalon, the valley of the Mylaion river and the northeastern
Gortynian mountains.
16 Taygetos Mountains (Ταΰγετος). The mountain
range separates Laconia from Messinia. The highest peak is Profitis
Ilias and, at 2,407m, one of the highest mountains in Greece. It lies
southwest of Sparta. The Taygetos Mountains are now well developed for
tourism. Numerous hiking trails such as the European long-distance
hiking trail E4 invite you to take long tours. The Taygetos Mountains
are one of the Untouched Mountains of Greece nature reserves.
17
Elafonisos (Ελαφόνησος Λακωνίας). The small island is an idyllic
destination, known for its beautiful beaches, such as Simos Beach, which
are among the best in Europe, crystal clear water, water sports and
beautiful nature. The prices for accommodation and food are
disproportionately high. In high season (July, August) the island is
bursting at the seams due to overtourism. Getting there by car is
relatively easy, the ferry crossing takes just 10 minutes from the ferry
port.
11 Kalávryta (Σφαγή των Καλαβρύτων). The town of Kalávryta,
accessible from Diakopto via a winding country road and the cog railway,
is the centre of the municipality of the same name. The memory of the
mass execution by the German military on December 13, 1943 is kept alive
by a memorial and by the museum of the town of Kalavryta.
12 Vatheia
(Βάθεια Λακωνίας). The town of Vathia consists mostly of sparsely
inhabited residential towers, which are concentrated like fortresses on
the top of a rocky outcrop not far from the Messenian Gulf. Some
residential towers are used as holiday apartments. The picturesque
location of the town is also an attraction for tourists. Due to its
special architectural value, the village was declared a historical
monument. Conservation and restoration work was carried out on selected
building ensembles consisting of residential towers, oil mills and other
buildings, and they were converted into small hotels and guest houses.
Corinth Canal (Διώρυγα της Κορίνθου). The canal is 6,346 m long and
separates the Peloponnese from the Greek mainland. It was built in
1881-1883 and connects the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf. The
side walls of the canal have an inclination angle of between 71° and
77°, and are over 80 m high at their highest points. The idea of
building a canal at this location dates back to ancient times. From
600 BC to 100 BC, canals were built on the canal. In the 4th century AD
there was the Diolkos, a paved road with ruts on which ships were
transported across the land. Under the rule of the Roman Emperor Nero,
construction of the canal was finally started. Three months later the
ruler died and work was stopped. As the canal is only 24m wide at the
water surface, it is now mainly used by tourist ships and fishing boats.
A good observation point is at Isthmia on a road bridge near the Isthmia
Prime Hotel, which crosses the canal next to the A8 Athens - Patras
motorway. The best time to observe is around 10am, as that is when the
sun hits the water surface. There is an iron walkway under the road
bridge, from which you can also bungee jump.
The Peloponnese offers an endless number of beautiful beaches, some
of which are remote and suitable as nudist beaches.
Some of the
most famous and of course well-visited beaches are:
1 Glyfa Beach
(Γλύφα). Very long sandy beach, not very crowded in places.
2
Kourouta Beach (Κουρούτα). Very well developed, very long sandy beach.
3 Zacharo Beach. Very good, very long sandy beach, only partly with
beach bars and loungers.
4 Romanos Beach. The landscape is very
beautiful. Sandy beach with clear water.
5 Voidokilia (Oxbelly Bay)
(Βοϊδοκοιλιά). Circular bay with fine sand.
6 Golden Sand (Gialova
Beach). Long sandy beach in the immediate vicinity of Oxbelly Bay.
7
Kalamata Beach (Ανατολική Καλαμάτα 1/Ανάσταση). long, organized sandy
beach with all tourist amenities.
8 Foneas Beach. Great pebble beach
with sunset - parking & snack bar available. Clean.
9 Skoutari Beach.
Beautiful beach, parking, tavern, clear water, with pebbles or sand.
10 Mavrovouni Beach. Long beach, mostly organized, sand with not so
shallow water.
11 Plytras Beach (Πλύτρα-Παχιάμμος). Clear water and
shallow sand. Ideal beach for families with children.
12 Elafonisos -
Simos Beach. it is a fascinating double beach and an impressive natural
spectacle.
13 Karathona Beach (Καραθώνα) . Great, long beach, just
outside Nafplio. Lots of beach bars.
14 Tolo Beach (Παραλία Τολού) .
Long, popular sandy beach.
There are also many interesting trails for hiking, e.g. in the gorges mentioned above and to the waterfalls.
By ship
By ferry from Venice or, much shorter and cheaper, from
Ancona, Brindisi, Trieste or Otranto. Arrival at the port of Patras.
Katakolo on the west coast is a port for cruise ships, which is
mainly used for trips to Olympia.
By car
The A8 motorway
connects the Peloponnese near Isthmia with the Greek mainland, it comes
from Athens and stretches along the coast of the Gulf of Corinth to
Patras. It has been fully developed since 2017, places are usually
bypassed on a large scale, the road conditions are good. The rest of the
traffic on the country roads is mostly single-lane, overtaking is
sometimes possible. The driving style on this road along the north coast
takes some getting used to, even by Greek standards.
From the
west coast of Greece you can get to the Peloponnese via the Rio-Andirrio
bridge near Patras.
By plane
Inexpensive charter flights to
Kalamata Airport (IATA: KLX) are available from German-speaking
countries. There are daily scheduled flights to Athens-Eleftherios
Venizelos Airport (IATA: ATH). The Peloponnese can be easily reached
with the Proastiakos suburban train to Corinth.
It is advisable to make a round trip with your own vehicle. Although
you can get to most of the sights by bus, this is very time-consuming.
EVU HellenicTrain, a subsidiary of the Italian railway, resumed
regular train service in mid-March 2023, including on long-disused local
railway lines in the Peloponnese.
Many dishes are prepared with a lot of oil and garlic and are usually
characterized by a high meat content. Lamb, chicken, beef and pork are
offered in many varieties. Especially near the coast, there is often a
considerable selection of fish dishes, which are often a little more
expensive than meat dishes. The Greek fishing grounds are so overfished
that the fish has to be brought from far away. Every meal begins with a
basket of bread.
Starters that you often find on the menu in a
taverna are stuffed vine leaf rolls, fried zucchini, tzatziki, seafood
or tuna salad. The most well-known main courses are probably gyros,
moussaka (casserole made of minced meat, eggplant and potatoes) and
souvlaki (pork or mutton skewers). Popular desserts are baklava (puff
pastry filled with honey and nuts) and yogurt with honey.
Due to the large number of tourists, English is enough to get by everywhere, and German is also widely understood.
As in all of Greece, crime is very low and you can move around freely everywhere.
Hot, dry summers and cool, mild winters. The difference in temperatures and rainfall is naturally large between the coast and the mountains. The season is from the end of April to mid-November.
The name is derived from the mythological figure Pelops, who was a
son of the legendary King Tantalus. The second part of the name is the
Greek word for "island" (νήσος, in ancient Greek pronunciation nēsos).
Literally, the name means "island of Pelops".
In Greek, the
grammatical gender of the name is feminine; in German, no uniform use
has prevailed. According to Duden and Brockhaus, it is "the Peloponnese"
or "the Peloponnese", as in the lexicon of the Middle Ages. The emphasis
is on the last syllable.
In the Middle Ages, the Italian name
Morea (probably "mulberry tree") was common for the Peloponnese, a name
that in the 10th century only referred to the western Peloponnese, but
from the beginning of the 13th century onwards was extended to the
entire peninsula.
The Franchthi Cave in the Argolis is the oldest place in Greece where prehistoric finds (from 15,000 BC) were made. In ancient times, the Peloponnese was home to important centers of the Mycenaean culture, which existed from around 1600 to around 1050 BC. Many Mycenaean settlements were destroyed around or shortly after 1200 BC, and some were even abandoned. Mycenae and Tiryns, among others, remained populated. The Dorians probably migrated to the Peloponnese from the late 11th century BC (see Dorian migration). In addition to the Dorians, the Achaeans lived in the northwest. In classical times, the peninsula was under the rule of Sparta and its Peloponnesian League. After the fall of Sparta at the Battle of Leuctra, the area came under the rule of the Arcadian League in 371 BC. After Macedonian rule, parts of the Peloponnese joined together in the Achaean League, which was dissolved by the Romans in 146 BC after the destruction of Corinth. At the end of Late Antiquity, large parts of the peninsula were settled by invading Slavic groups (see Slavic conquest of the Balkans). After centuries of belonging to Byzantium (see Theme of Hellas and Theme of Peloponnese), the peninsula, now called Morea or Morée, was conquered by the Crusaders in 1204. The area around Mystras soon became Byzantine again and became a center of the peninsula, which was largely reconquered by the Byzantines. From the 15th century onwards, ownership changed hands between Venice and the Ottoman Empire. From 1686 to 1715, the entire Morea was for the first time a completely Venetian province (see also Turkish Wars); After Greece gained independence in 1821, it became part of the new state under its ancient name.
The Peloponnese is the southernmost part of the Balkan Peninsula and
thus the area that extends furthest into the Mediterranean. The
southernmost point of the Peloponnese is Cape Tenaro. The peninsula is
bordered by the Aegean Sea to the east and the Ionian Sea to the west.
The Peloponnese can be reached from the mainland via an isthmus of
around 6.3 km wide, the Isthmus of Corinth, which was, however, broken
through by the Corinth Canal in 1893. However, the Peloponnese is not
considered an island because the canal is an artificial structure (see
also island and peninsula). Since 2004, the Peloponnese has also been
connected to the rest of the mainland in the north between the towns of
Rio and Andirrio by the 2.2 km long Rio-Andirrio Bridge.
In terms
of landscape, there is a sharp contrast between the rough, uninhabited
mountains (up to 2400 m high) and the fertile, densely populated valley
landscapes and the lowlands by the sea. The latter extends to the west
(between Patras and Pyrgos) and to the south near Sparta.
In
terms of geological history, the Peloponnese was originally an island,
but over time it was pushed towards the mainland by the northward shift
of the African plate and the Arabian plate (see also plate tectonics).
Clear traces of this can be seen in the many, geologically young, folded
mountains. These split up in large numbers on the Peloponnese and give
the landscape a characteristic appearance. Especially in the central
Peloponnese (Arcadia), the 1500-1900 m high mountainous region is
difficult to access and is characterized by karst basins (poljes) with
no surface drainage, in which - in some cases to this day - temporary
lakes appear after rainy winters. One example is the large plain of Lake
Stymphalia, known in word and image in ancient myths, which is only
partially silted up, but whose water surface varies seasonally. The
plain is now an important resting place for migratory birds and is
valued as an ecologically important wetland (Stymfalia).
The
peaks in the north of the Peloponnese reach up to 2374 m, in the south
up to 2407 m (Taygetos). The valleys in between are often characterized
by great fertility by Greek standards. Geographical, climatic and also
man-made factors repeatedly lead to devastating landscape fires in the
Peloponnese.
As the shifting of the plates continues, the
Peloponnese is, alongside Italy and Crete, the area in Europe most at
risk from earthquakes.
The Peloponnese consists of seven regional districts: Corinthia,
Achaia, Elis, Messinia, Laconia, Arcadia and Argolis.
Part of the
peninsula is formed by the region (Greek: περιφέρεια periféría)
Peloponnese (Πελοπόννησος Pelopónnissos) with five regional districts
(Greek: νομοί nomí, singular νομός nomós), of which part of Corinthia
also extends to the Greek mainland beyond the Isthmus. The regional
districts of Achaia and Elis, together with Aetoloakarnania on the
northwestern mainland, form the region of Western Greece. Part of the
Methana peninsula and a coastal strip of the Argolic peninsula, as well
as the islands in the Saronic Gulf and off the southeastern coast of
Peloponnese, belong to the Attica region.
Connections to the rest of Greece
The peninsula is connected to
the mainland in the east by several bridges over the Corinth Canal, and
in the north by the Rio-Antirrio Bridge, which was inaugurated in 2004,
over the Gulf of Corinth.
Railway
A meter-gauge
narrow-gauge railway network serves the peninsula. The main line
originally ran from Athens via Corinth to Patras and along the west
coast to Kalamata, while another line serves the interior between
Corinth and Kalamata. A new standard-gauge line has been completed as
far as Corinth and Kiato. Since it was completed, the meter-gauge
railway east of Corinth has been discontinued. The line has been
operated electrically since February 2011, which has further reduced the
travel time from Kiato to Athens airport. Rail traffic on the section
between Kiato and Patras was discontinued in the summer of 2009 with the
aim of converting to standard gauge. The Diakopto-Kalavryta rack
railway, which branches off from this route and is mainly used for
tourist purposes, continues to operate. The routes from Corinth to
Nafplio, Tripoli and Kalamata as well as the routes from Patras via
Pyrgos to Kalamata were completely closed in January 2011 due to
uneconomical operation, although they were almost completely renovated
between 2004 and 2009 and new diesel railcars were purchased.
Road
Two toll motorways or expressways, the Olympia Odos, cross the
Peloponnese. These meet just before the Isthmus of Corinth and lead from
there to Athens. The northern part, the A8 from Patras to Corinth, is
under construction.
Air transport
Airports are located near
Patras (Araxos) in the northwest and near Kalamata in the southwest of
the peninsula.
Sea transport
Ferry connections to Italy leave
from Patras, to the Ionian islands of Zakynthos and Kefalonia from
Kyllini, to Kythira and Crete from Gythio.