Peloponnese is the largest peninsula of Greece, whose northernmost part is separated from Central Greece by the Isthmus (& Canal) of Corinth. It is divided into seven prefectures: Corinthia, Argolis, Arcadia, Laconia, Messinia, Ilia, Achaia.
It is primarily a mountainous region, but it forms many large fertile plains, while its beaches are divided, with deep bays that give it the characteristic shape of a plane tree. Climate is generally Mediterranean, with significant variations depending on the altitude.
Peloponnese’s history is very rich: the area had already been inhabited since the latest Paleolithic era (8,000 BC) and it was the land of Mycenaean civilization, while in more recent times it was identified with the core of Hellenism and the foundation of the modern Greek state.
The Place
According to the “Wikipedia“, Peloponnese (also known as Morea or Morias) is the largest peninsula of Greece and one of its 9 geographical divisions. It is located in the south of the mainland part of the country and is connected to Central Greece through a narrow strip of land, the Isthmus of Corinth, in which the Canal of the same name was opened in 1893, formally turning the Peloponnese into an island. To the west it is washed by the Ionian Sea, while to the east by Myrtoo Sea, part of the Aegean Sea.
Peloponnese is administratively divided into 7 prefectures (regional units): Achaia, Ilia and Messinia, Arcadia, Laconia, Argolis, Corinthia, with a small part of it covered by Attica (northeast). Since 1986 it has been divided into two autonomous administrative Regions (of the 13 in the country): that of Western Greece, which includes Achaia and Ilia, and that of Peloponnese with the remaining 5 prefectures (Messinia, Arcadia, Laconia, Argolis, Corinthia).
It is primarily a mountainous region, but it forms many large fertile plains. The highest mountain of Peloponnese is Taygetos (2,407m), while its most important gulfs are Patraikos, Corinthiakos, Kyparissiakos, Laconiakos and Argolikos.
Peloponnese as a whole has a population of approximately 1,1 million inhabitants. Two main cities are Tripoli (in the centre of the geographical area), capital of Peloponnese Region, with 47.000 inhabitants, and Patra (in the northwest corner), capital of the Western Greece Region, with 216.000 inhabitants (third in size city of Greece).
Destinations & Places of Peloponnese
Arcadia (former Prefecture of Arcadia) is located in the center of Peloponnese. Its eastern part has an outlet to the sea, the Argolic Gulf and the Myrtoos Sea.
Products & Tastes of Peloponnese
Due to the large area and the diversity of its soil, Peloponnese has a huge wealth of products and flavors. Indeed, oranges are in such supply that they’re used to flavour sausages in Mani as well as syrupy (spoon) sweets like portokalópita (orange pie). Olives and olive oil are plentiful and are used liberally in salads and in cooking, including delicious vegetable dishes (laderá).
In fact, Peloponnese is a wider region in which we can distinguish three sub-regions with corresponding “culinary subsystems”: 1. Mani (Messinia and Laconia), 2. Corinthia & Argolis, and 3. Arcadia with the NW part centered in Achaia. In Mani, but also in Argolis, the strong presence of oranges (from the fertile valleys of Laconia) is characteristic, which flavors sausages, sichlini, olives and is even made into a salad. In the more mountainous areas, the customs are reminiscent of Roumeli and Epirus, with great variety of diary products and traditional pasta and soups .
Wine features heavily alongside olive oil. The plain of Nemea grows the famed Agiorgitiko variety (red, dry) while Mantinia in the interior produces Moschofilero (white, dry). The region around Monemvasia gave its name to malmsey wine – a corruption of “Malvasia”, itself a Venetian corruption of “Monemvasia” – which is currently making a comeback. The biggest wine region is, however, Achaïa, the department around Patras where you can taste aromatic white Muscats and sweet Mavrodafni reds.
(source “Edsmatologio”, LeMonde and loveexploring.com)
Products & Dishes of Peloponese
** photos from ThomTours
- Tsakonian eggplant and Irion artichoke
- various citrus fruits, especially from Laconia and Argolis
- extra virgin olive oil from many regions – especially Messinia (Koroneiki variety), Laconia (Athinolia variety), Argolida/Corinthia (Manaki variety)
- table olives from many regions – especially “Kalamon”
- fir and oak honey
- noodles and trachanas of Arcadia and Argolis
- pasteli (sesami, seed & honey candy bar) and dried figs from Messinia
- chestnuts, walnuts, apples and Tripoli cherries
- Corinthian currant and “blacklaurel” (wine variety) of Patras
- wines of Corinth (Nemea), Arcadia (Mantinea), Monemvasia (Malvasia)
- “syglino” (smoked pork) of Mani and sausages
- Kalavryta formaela cheese and Arcadia and Laconia cheeses & diary products
Sightseeing in Peloponnese
Located on the southern side of Greece, Peloponnese is the most popular holiday region of mainland Greece. As this was the main center of operations in ancient times, Peloponnese has many interesting archaeological sites, however, it doesn’t lack in natural beauty, as the landscape varies from steep mountainsides to valleys and long sandy beaches. Here are some notes on what to expect in Peloponnese and 6 itineraries that you can start with.
The entering landmark of Peloponnese is the Corinth Canal, a usual stopover on your drive around the region. Important sites in eastern Peloponnese are Ancient Epidaurus, Mycenae, and Tyrins. The picturesque town of Nafplion is great to walk around and so are the seaside towns of Ermioni and Porto Heli. The most popular beach place in the region is Tolo, a family holiday destination with an organized beach. In the northwest, Patra is the port town that serves ferries to Italy and the Ionian islands. In Rio, close to Patra, is the famous cable bridge of Rio-Antirio that connects Peloponnese to the rest of (western) Greece. The most popular beach destinations in western Peloponnese are Killini and Katakolon. Over the last years, Katakolon has become popular as a cruise line stop. This lovely fishing village is only 30 min drive from Ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games.
Moving south, popular holiday destinations in Laconia are the Medieval Castle Town of Monemvasia and the beautiful town of Gythio. Nice places close to Gythio are the region of Mani with the town of Areopolis and the impressive Diros Caves. From the port of Neapolis in southern Laconia, tourists take the ferry to Elafonissos island with impressive beaches. In Messinia, seaside towns like Pylos, Kalamata, Kyparissia, Kardamili, Methoni, Koroni and Finikounda provide the best setting for relaxing family holidays; interesting ancient sites to visit are the Medieval Castles of Pylos, Methoni & Koroni and the Mycenaean Palace of King Nestor.
The central side of Peloponnese (around Tripoli) is probably the least open to foreign visitors. However, it is very popular among Greeks, and especially Athenians, who visit the mountainous villages of Arkadia for weekend breaks: Dimitsana, Vitina, Karitena, Lagkadia, and Andritsena are picturesque villages in the mountains. The temple of Apollo Epicurius at Bassae, near Andritsena, is a masterpiece and included in the UNESCO List of World monuments.
(main source: greeca.com)
Check our “6 road trips around Peloponnese“, as a starting point for a better idea what Peloponnese can offer to you.
Places of Interest in Peloponnese
Οι «Πολύχρυσες Μυκήνες», το βασίλειο του μυθικού Αγαμέμνονα, που πρώτος ύμνησε ο Όμηρος στα έπη του, είναι το σημαντικότερο και πλουσιότερο ανακτορικό κέντρο της Ύστερης Εποχής του Χαλκού στην Ελλάδα.
Το Φρούριο της Μεθώνης βρίσκεται στο νοτιότατο άκρο της δυτικής ακτής της Πελοποννήσου.