Prefecture of Laconia

The history, the myth, the landscape and the climate combine and give the Laconian land its special characteristics. Human presence has left its traces in the whole area of Laconia prefecture. The archeological findings are scattered everywhere: from the caves of Diros to Vafio, Elos, Pellana and Maleas of the archaic era, to Sparta of the historic era, to the Byzantine Mistras, Geraki and Monemvassia. And finally to Mani, from the castles of which broke out the uprising of 1821.

Laconia is situated on the northeastern part of Peloponnese and covers an area of 3.636 km. Its terrain is mostly semi-mountainous, with rich and fertile plains and the 5% of the area is taken up by forests. It is washed by the Messinian and the Laconian Bays, also by the Myrtoon and Cretan Seas. The wonderful islets Trinassos, Glaros, Leptonissi, Kasela, Roditsa, Daskalio and the island Elafonissos belong to Laconia. It is defined by the two impressive mountain ranges: Taygetos on the west and Parnonas on the east and between them the river Eurotas flows through the Laconian plain.

The climate of the area, purely Mediterranean, varies with regions. Winter is generally mild but snowy on the mountainous country. Summer is hot, autumn is mild and spring is simply wonderful. The plains around Sparta are extremely fertile, full of orange and olive trees. There follows a hilly region where you can find a great variety of aromatic herbs and brushwood. The two feet of Laconia, the first flat, the second rocky have one common characteristic: the beautiful seashores, some of them with rocky small bays and secluded havens and others with infinite, sandy beaches.

From an administrative aspect the prefecture of Laconia consists of four provinces: Gythio (its capital Gythio), Epidavros Limira (its capital Molai), Lacadaemon (its capital Sparta) and Itilo (its capital Areopolis). It has a population of 95.695 people whereas 14.084 of them reside in Sparta. The prefecture’s financial resources derive mainly from agriculture. The most important products are its famous olive-oil, oranges, figs, honey and tomatoes.

Major towns/cities

Sparta
Sparta is a city with a long history and a modern municipality, the Spartan Municipality. Sparta is the capital of the Laconia prefecture with an excellent city plan and stands on the site of the ancient city built by the decree of 1834 signed by King Otto and designed by Staufehrt. The plan followed the Ippodamean example of wide avenues and big squares and was designed for 100.000 inhabitants. The capital of the prefecture is the administration center and has all the characteristics of a modern provincial city. The economy is based on agricultural production and tourism. It is surrounded by ancient sites and the center of the city is crowned with many neoclassical buildings and monuments. Sparta offers to the traveler all the required facilities for accommodation and for organizing tourist excursions. Near Sparta, at Amykles, is the throne of Apollo, the most important religious center of the Spartans. At Vafio lies the Mycenaean tomb where the two world famous golden cups diasplayed at the National Archeological Museum in Athens were found. As for Ancient Sparta, it is a city which played a decisive role in the ancient Greek world, a society which developed the concept of the Spartan Life – asceticism, self-sacrifice discipline. Sanctuaries, altars and the ancient theatre evoke a distant age. The findings are displayed at the Archaeological Museum of Sparta.

Mystras
Mystras occupies a steep foothill on the northern slopes of Mt. Taygetos at a distance of 6 km from Sparta. The castle on the top of the hill was founded in 1249 by the Frankish leader William the 2nd the Villeharduin. The Aercheological Museum of Mystras is housed in the two-storeyed building at the west wing of the north courtyard of the Cathedral of Ag. Dimitrios. It was founded in 1951 and since then its collections have been considerably enriched. It features collections of Byzanttine sculpture, jewellery, pottery, coins, fragments of wall paintings, portable post-Byzantine icons and pieces of fabric. The entire Byzantine city of Mistras is essentially an open-air museum, evidence of a glorious era. The fortress, the palaces and churches, the fortifications and the gates, the mansions and houses, the streets and the fountains, all constitute a record of the unique history of the seat of the Seignior of Moreas. In Ano Hora, the Palaces of the Seignieurs form an impressive complex of buildings constructed at different times. All, starting from the mansion of the Katakouzini, to the palace of Paleologi, have been renovated and have had their old glamour restored.

Monemvasia
The rock of Monemvasia, towering 300 meters above the eastern coast of Laconia, is an unforgettable site. The medieval, Byzantine and Venetian city is still very much alive on the south eastern part, looking to the sea. At the top of the rock lies the old, now abandoned city. A low bridge connects the rock with the coast. This sole entry gave the city its name. The first Laconians passed through here in the 6th century B.C., seeking a place of refuge. There followed a thousand years of prosperity and glory. Time has stopped in Monemvasia. The visitor is invited for magical walks through the busy towering street, the cobblestone alleys, the mansions, the Byzantine churches, the terraced houses, the low arches and staircases. New Monemvassia, on the coast across from the fortress-town, is a picturesque town full of vivacity, which offers all tourist facilities: many accommodation opportunities, restaurants, night-life, a large varied market, a pretty hospitable harbor. Recreation by the sea can be enjoyed at the municipal beach, to the north and pera Kakavos and Pori, and to the south at Agia Paraskevi, Nomia, Agios Stefanos and Xifias.

Elafonissos
Only 350 meters from the coast of the Peloponese, lies the isle of Elafonissos – a chance for quiet recreation in a wonderful natural environment. Exotic in its leeward coves, sand dunes and cedars, traditional in its island color. At the harbor fishing boats lie anchored, while the fish-taverns and ouzo-cafés offer fresh fish, fish soup and grilled octopus. The trademark of Elafonissos are its exquisite beaches: Kontogoni and Kalogeras near the village, Lefki on the eastern coast, the famous beach of Simos- in the bay of Frangos, with its sand dunes and cedars, the beach of the bay of Sarakiniko – a major mooring place for centuries, carrying memories of naval battles and pirates- and the sandy beach of Panagia on the western coast, opposite four small islands.

Gythion
The sea is generous with its gifts along the coastal region of Gythion, from the municipal beach to the sandy beaches of Mavrovouni and Selinitsa where the Careta-Careta turtles always come to lay their eggs. To the south are the hospitable beaches of Vathi, Ageranos, Skoutari, Kalyvia and Paganea, with their crystal-clear water and the wind filling the sails of the surfers in the Laconian bay. The harbor, the two- or three-storey neo-classical mansions, the maritime and traditional Maniot color… All this combined with tourist services of all levels: Hotels with conference facilities at Selinitsa, Mavrovouni and Vathi, restaurants, taverns and cafés. In the morning or in the evening a walk around Gythion is magical. Later, the town offers beautiful, romantic nights, but also, for those so inclined, dance and night life. A charming addendum to the attractions of Gythion is the islet of Kranai, which is now linked to the coast. An interesting site on Kranai is the Tzanettakis tower, a Maniot fortress-residence donated to the state and currently housing the history and ethnology Museum of Mani. Also worth visiting are the chapel of Agios Petros nad the octagonal lighthouse of 22 meters height, built in 1873 of tenarian marble.