Tag: Peloponnese

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In 1942, during the Occupation of the Germans and the Italians, a 13-year-old boy in Tripolis saved the bones of Theodoros Kolokotronis, the revolutionary leader of 1821 against the Ottomans, putting his life at immense risk. After 77 years, this man tells us this breathtaking story.

When looking from above, from the village of Kandalos, it looks like a blue hole in the dark brown fields of Tegea. It consists of a central artificial reservoir of water that floods around it from the waters of endless rains of winter. The Tripolis plateau is a haven of wildlife and archaic beauty, which in the winter is plagued by the merciless cold. When the north wind blows, the atmosphere is clear as glass and nature is crystallized and silent.

The historic centre of Kalamata, with its old houses and narrow alleys, brings back nostalgic memories that enchant photographers. The area behind the church "Ypapanti Sotiros" and the small byzantine church of "Agioi Apostoloi" looks like a residential oasis: Traditional shops that sell kerchiefs, hats and pasteli sweets (traditional Greek honey and sesame bars) and many small ouzeri (Greek taverns) which serve tasty mezedes (finger food). And all this, situated conveniently close to the new, modern Kalamata - a beautiful city with low buildings and filled with bougainvillea, stretching along the tropical sea.

"On the 29th of August we go to Limpovissi, for the celebration of St. Ioannis church outside the house of the Greek hero Theodoros Kolokotronis. At six o' clock in the morning we are very proud to put on our costumes and go to the church and have our arms blessed by the priest. Then we bring around the icon and have a memorial service at Kolokotronis's house. And then what? We begin to sing about Kolokotronis and the echo of the gorges gets really creepy".

The place where the Gunpowder Mills of the 1821 Revolution (against the Ottoman Turks) were hidden and the birthplace of Patriarch Gregory V, who was hanged by the Turks in Constantinople. The village’s library has thousands of rare books -and it would have had many more if Theodore Kolokotronis’ men had not shredded the paper, with tears in their eyes, in order to make bandoliers for their Carlo E. Figli riffles (known in Greece simply as Kariofili riffles). Dimitsana does not only stir up emotions of national pride for Greeks but also satisfies the senses. Wherever one stands, he or she can see wild mountains and running water. In the morning, visitors are awoken by sheep bells and the sound of axes splitting wood in half. In the tavernas, one can eat omelet with salted pork and coq au vin with a side of hylopites, a type of Greek noodles. It is an amazing winter resort!

When we left Dimitsana, a village in the municipality of Gortynia, on the road for Stemnitsa, we saw the village's football field. There was a football match taking place between two amateur teams “Athletic Union” of Dimitsana (red shirts) and “Glory” of Tripolis.

Winter is harsh in the villages of Arcadian Mount Mainalon. The dense forests of firs sigh by the weight of the snow and the sceneries are alpic. These villages during almost all winter are covered by deep clouds. (In order of appearance: 1. Davies, 2. Piana, 3. Chrysovitsi, 4. Stemnitsa, 5. Dimitsana, 6. Alonistena, 7. Arkoudorema, 8. Kardaras, 9. Mainalon Mountain, 10. Arkoudorema)

A historical village of Gortynia with traditional houses made of stone, surrounded by the fir forest of Mount Mainalon, in Arcadia. Gortynia is where the 1821 Revolution against the Turks began. The village has an amazing folklore museum, one of the best in Greece. Villagers produce local, homemade dairy products, pasta and jams. It is an ideal location for winter and summer vacation.

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