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To the east of Kalamata is the Messinian Mani with its clean pebble beaches, wooded slopes, rugged peaks, and beautiful villages with cobbled streets. The village of Karadmyli, located at the end of the Vyros Gorge is in the shadow of Mount Taygetos, is known for its wonderful trekking trails.The Peloponnese is steeped in ancient history. Corinth was a great naval power in ancient times. The Doric temple of Apollo stands on a knoll to the north of the agora and remains the most important monument of that period. It contains mosaic floors, Mycenaean and Korinthian pottery, terra cotta sphinxes, statues of two supernatural beings, relief plaques, and the Roman head of the Goddess Tyche. Olympia, on the banks of the Olfios River is an archeological site rich in architectural remains. The ruins of ancient Korinth are spread out at the foot of the huge rock of Acrocorinth. It is the largest and the oldest fortress in the Peloponnese. Akrokorinthos contains principally Roman remains and some Greek edifices. There are a number of shrines and temples, including the Temple of Aphrodite. The town of Methoni has a vast 13th century fortress surrounded on three sides by the sea. The town of Pylos has two castles, one on each side of the bay. Nearby is the Mycenean Palace of Nestor, one of the best preserved of all Mycenean palaces. Many of the frescos and artifacts found here are now in the archeological museum in nearby Chora. |