ANAVRYTI THE BALCONY OF TAYGETOS

Text and research by Nikos Aivalis, translation by Eva Trombetas

Just 15 kilometers from historic Sparta, southwest at an altitude of 800 meters, in the shadow of the Neraidovouna peak, lies one of the most beautiful villages of mountain Taygetos, Anavryti. In this beautiful village we will also go, admire the legendary Taygetos, gaze at the Laconic plain, taste the local cuisine and walk in the beautiful streets of the village.

Anavryti village, Laconia

Anavryti, which belongs to the province of Lacedaemon, with few inhabitants now, is a mountainous destination. Starting from Sparta, we follow the road Sparta-Agios Ioannis, towards the homonymous village Agios Ioannis. After a short and pleasant journey through orange and olive trees, we reach where we see how the road turns and follows literally an ascent to the mountainside. The route that follows is quite difficult, although small, since the road in several places narrows and has several turns, so it is good to be careful in your driving and if you have passengers who are dizzy easily, it is good to make a fairly gentle driving. However, do not hesitate for a minute to take this route, since the view will reward you twice. As you climb, you will open on your side the Laconic plain, an incredible view, while back and forth you will see the steep slopes of Taygetos. In the daytime you will see from end to end the whole land between Taygetos and Parnonas, while if you happen to be on this road at night, you will see the lights of Sparta and the surrounding villages, even the most distant, shining like small diamonds in the night.

road to Anavryti

All the way, apart from the truly unique view, you will admire the unique natural beauty of the slopes of Taygetos. At some point the road will cease to be so uphill and difficult and will give way to a more comfortable road. This means that we are now very close to our destination. By the time we reach the village, the view and the nature of the place will surely win even the most demanding visitor. A green environment around us and in front of us the imposing and unsurpassed beauty of the mountain range of Taygetos, with the top, the "Pyramid", stands out. If you visit the village during the winter months, until Easter (we recommend that you visit the village on Easter), it is very likely that Taygetos is covered with snow, which beautifies the landscape even more.

mount Taygetos from Anavryti

We arrive at the village of beautiful Anavryti. The name Anavryti comes from the word "anavryo" (anavryo = flow), something that testifies to the springs of water that come directly from the heart of Taygetos. In ancient times, in Anavryti there was a sanctuary of the goddess Demeter, showing us the importance of this place. At the end of the 19th century the village experienced great development due to tannery, as many other arts operated, such as candlestick, shoemaking, tapestry, rope making, but also textiles, as the women of the village made almost everything on their looms, famous Laconian women for their art, while the men dealt with agricultural and mainly livestock. Formerly Anavryti was the seat of the municipality of Vryseon, while now it belongs to the municipality of Mystras. It is worth saying, that the club Vriseon Anavrytis New York, is the first and oldest Greek club in the American continent (1901).

Anavryti

Having reached the center of the village, we find ourselves in a beautiful small square, with a small fir tree, where at Christmas there is a beautiful manger, while a map tells us that we are in the village Anavryti, at 800 meters altitude. In the background we see Taygetos bright and majestic, a few steps in front of us we see fountains with crystal water running, while next to us there is a tavern that offers traditional food, as well as coffee. The kitchen includes all local types of meats, vegetables, as well as wine. Laconic and delicious dishes, all with flavors of Taygetos, while red local wine gladdens the heart, in a very friendly and warm atmosphere, as if it is cold the fireplace is lit, but as warm is the fireplace, warm are the hearts of the Laconians here who will welcome you.

Anavryti's kitchen

A very beautiful sight of the village is the Botanical and Agricultural Museum of Anavryti, which is housed in the school that had the village. There you will admire many rocks and plants from Taygetos. In the center of the village there is the church of Agios Nikolaos, with many old and beautiful frescoes. The church celebrates on December 6, st. Nicholas. There are other beautiful churches around the village, which are among the sights to see, such as Agios Georgios, Agios Ioannis Anavrytis, Panagitsa and the Holy Monastery of Faneromeni.

Monastery of Faneromeni, Anavryti

The Monastery of Faneromeni, is a beautiful place, in a beautiful location literally in nature, just outside the center of the village. The monastery was built in 1835 by archimandrite Athanasios Ladopoulos. According to tradition, the icon of Panagia Faneromeni, which depicts the assumption of the Virgin Mary, was found after the suggestion of the Virgin Mary herself to Athanasios Ladopoulos, when he was a child, in a cave in the place "Ascitario", where the monastery is built and there is the icon. In 1943 the Germans destroyed the monastery except the temple. After its reconstruction, the monastery has three complexes of halls and cells, as well as a beautiful bell tower. Formerly there were several monks, but today there is only one. The monastery celebrates on the 8th of September, at the birthday of the Virgin Mary.

Anavryti

Leaving the monastery, we return to the village to walk a little. Starting from the center, we walk literally two minutes and find ourselves on a balcony with idyllic view. On the one hand the two-storey mansions, while on the other green hills. We should mention that in the village there are beautiful hostels for those who want to stay. Moving on, we come across a network of trails, the European path E4 and the National path E32, two paths that every lover of nature and hiking should walk. The famous trail of Taygetos E4 is well mapped and marked. The paths branch in the following places: Anavryti, Mystras, chapel Metamorphosis of Sotiras, stream Lagada, Monastery of Faneromeni, chapel of Agios Strategos, Taygetos, position Omos, position Sela and settlement Pergantaika on the slope of the peak Xerovouna.

springs of water, Anavryti

Continuing our walk, through the beautiful nature and the wonderful view of the village, among the stone-built mansions, we reach a small square of the village. The sight left us dumbfounded. Three large springs, with plenty of cool water running, gushing through Taygetos, stone built, with ivy wrapped around, creating the image of a fairy land. If you come summer, it is imperative that you come to drink water, wet your face and hair and fill bottles to take with you. Harmony between nature, water, mountain, man, you can sit a little to the right of the springs, on a paved bench and listen to the water running.

streets of Anavryti

So we complete our journey to the beautiful village of Anavryti. On our way back we had only beautiful pictures. Nature, endless views from everywhere, running waters, Taygetos, stately houses, friendly residents, tasty food and wine, what else can someone want? No matter how many words you say about this village and its surrounding area, you cannot describe how unique it is. Whether you go on the same day, or book a hostel, one thing is for sure, that when you leave you will definitely want to come again, this is probably the most beautiful feeling, a place to call you again and again, then from a travel destination, it becomes your destination.

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