PELOPONNESE

Text by Nikos Aivalis, research by Elpida Zografidou, translation by Eva Trombetas

Peloponnese, the land of myths, the land of unstoppable history from ancient times until today, the land that is the heart of Greece, the land that gave birth to heroes and heroines, demigods and sages, the land where great kingdoms like Mycenae were born, the land that contributed the most to all the struggles of Hellenism. But it is not only a land with endless history, but also a land of endless beauty as picturesque villages, mountainous winter destinations, beaches and coastal paradises, forests, waterfalls, caves and much more, along with archeological sites, historical monuments, historical churches and castles, and much more. What is the Peloponnese after all?

Peloponnese

As our page says, Peloponnese is like a proud and bright star in the clear blue sky of Greece (hence the name of our page En Astron - ena astro = one star). We will try to see the Peloponnese from a historical, cultural, mythological and nature-loving point of view. Peloponnese is a huge piece of land, the southernmost of mainland Greece, which is connected to the rest of Greece only by the Isthmus of Corinth and the Rio Antirrio bridge in Patras. It is a peninsula and one of the nine geographical regions of Greece. The area of the Peloponnese is about 21,439 square kilometers, while its total population is about 1,086,935 inhabitants according to the 2011 census. In this piece of land, there are seven prefectures: central prefecture of Arcadia (capital Tripoli), northwest prefecture of Achaea (capital Patras), northeast prefecture of Corinthia (capital Corinth), west prefecture of Elis (capital Pyrgos), east prefecture of Argolis (capital Nafplio), southwest prefecture of Messenia (capital Kalamata) and finally, southeast prefecture of Laconia (capital Sparta).

map of Greece

Peloponnese is bordered west by the Ionian sea, east by the Aegean sea (Myrtos and Argolic gulf), north by the Corinthian gulf and the gulf of Patras, while to the south of it is the Mediterranean sea. The most important capes are of Maleas in Epidaurus of Limira, Laconia, of Akrita Pylias in Messenia, of Skyllaios in Aderes, Argolis, of Rio in Patras, Achaea, and of Tainaros in Mani, Laconia, which is the southernmost part of mainland Greece and of Balkan peninsula. The highest mountain of the Peloponnese is the famous Taygetos, with an altitude of 2,407 meters, which starts from Arcadia and divides in the middle Messenia and Laconia. Other big mountains are: mount Panacheikos, which is located southwest of Patras with an altitude of 1,926 meters, south of Panacheikos the mount Erymanthos, which has an altitude of 2,224 meters, mount Aphrodite between Achaea and Arcadia, with an altitude of 1,456 meters, the ancient mount Lykaion between Arcadia and Messenia, with an altitude of 1,419 meters, the Aroania mountains between Achaea and Corinthia with an altitude of 2,355 meters, Ziria in Corinthia, which is the second highest mountain in the Peloponnese, with an altitude of 2,376 meters, Mainalo in Arcadia with an altitude of 1,981 meters altitude, Oligyrtos between Argolis and Arcadia with an altitude of 1,935 meters and Parnonas between Arcadia and Laconia with an altitude of 1,936 meters.

Taygetos, the highest mountain in the Peloponesse

The main plains of the Peloponnese are the following: the plain of Elis, the plain of Messenia, the plain of Argolis and the plain of Elos in Laconia. The largest mountain plateaus are those of Mantineia, Alea and Tegea in Arcadia, as well as Feneos and Stymfalia in Corinthia. The Peloponnese can be happy because it has a lot of water in its inward parts, nevertheless it has a few big rivers. The largest river in the Peloponnese is the famous Alpheios river, which starts from the Megalopolis of Arcadia and ends in the gulf of Kyparissia, in Elis, covering a distance of 110 kilometers. The second largest river is the mythical Eurotas, which starts from Megalopolis and ends in the Laconic gulf, after covering a distance of 82 kilometers. The Glafkos river starts from mount Panacheikos, so that after a distance of 26 kilometers, it ends at the gulf of Patras. Pinios originates from mount Erymanthos, so that after covering a distance of 80 kilometers, it ends up in the Ionian sea, through Elis. There is also Neda, one of the few rivers in Greece with a female name. Neda starts from Lykaion in Arcadia, so that after a distance of 32 kilometers it ends up in the gulf of Kyparissia, between Elis and Messenia.

Alpheios, the largest river in the Peloponnese

Although the Peloponnese looks like an island by itself, it has its own islands, some of which are of unique beauty, such as Sapientza, an island southwest of Messenia, which is heartshaped, of unique natural beauty, while it has been declared Preserved Monument of Nature, as it is also protected by Natura 2000. To the east there is an island, which has nothing to envy from exotic places and their tropical beaches. An island that for many people, probably has the best beaches in Greece. We are talking about Elafonisos, which is located at the southeastern edge of Laconia. Elafonisos has two of the most famous beaches in Greece, those of Simos and Sarakinikos. In fact, they are considered to be the most beautiful twin beach in Europe. There is another island, which may belong to the Ionian Islands and administratively to Attica, but geographically it belongs to the Peloponnese. We are talking about the beautiful Kythira, which are located south of Elafonisos and Laconia.

Sapientza, the heartshaped island

The name "Peloponnese" comes from Pelopas, ancient king of Achaea. Another name of the Peloponnese, is the medieval name Morias, which has roots from the mulberry tree (mouria = mulberry), due to the extensive cultivation of this tree in the area. In the depths of antiquity, according to Homer, it was called Argos, while even further back in time, it was called Pelasgia, because of the Pelasgians, who were the ancestors of the Arcadians, something that Pausanias tells us, as Pelasgos, king of Arcadia and Argos, had as a son Lycaeon, who later had a son named Arcadas. The ancient Greek tribes that inhabited this place, were the ancient Pelasgians, the Mycenaeans, who were one of the largest forces in the Mediterranean, the Achaeans, the Dorians, the Ionians, as well as the Leleges, who according to Pausanias, were the ancestors of the Lacedaemonians and the Messinians, as Lelegas had as a son, Eurotas, who had a daughter named Sparta, who married Lacedaemon, son of Zeus and Taygetis. There are findings proving that the Peloponnese was inhabited at least from prehistoric times, while according to Pausanias in his work "Arcadia", the Peloponnese had the oldest city in the world, Lycosura in Arcadia, which as he mentions, was the oldest city of all cities that have ever existed on a continental or island region, the first city to see the sunlight, and constituted a model for the creation of other cities. Characteristic of the Arcadians antiquity is the fact that they were given the nickname "pre-Lunar", that is, that they are so ancient that there was not even the moon when they existed as natives of the Peloponnese.

Lycosura, the oldest city in the world

One of the largest civilizations developed in the Peloponnese was that of the Mycenaeans, who came from Mycenae, just outside Argos. Famous by Homer, for their campaign in Troy. They were a dominant force in the area, which had managed to gather all the Greek kingdoms under its protection. Famous merchants and navigators, we find Mycenaean findings from one end of the Mediterranean to the other. But the Peloponnese also later on showed enormous forces. The famous Sparta, home of the most famous warriors of the world, the Spartans. A city that gave birth to famous heroes and heroines, such as Leonidas, Evryviadis, Agisilaos, Vrasidas, Lysander, Gorgo, Kyniska, while from here came the beautiful Helen of Sparta, as well as the Dioscuri Castor and Polydefkis. It was a superpower of its time, taking part in almost all the Greek wars, in the campaign against Troy, in Thermopylae, in the naval battle of Salamina, in Plataees and countless other battles that made the Spartans cause fear and terror in their enemies. But Sparta was not just a war camp as many people mistakenly want to present it to us and they certainly did not throw their children in Kaiadas cave, for example the lame Agisilaos, while modern research by archaeologists has shown that such a thing did not happen. From Sparta came wise men as well as poets, a great example being Chilon the Lacedaemonian, one of the seven wise men of antiquity. Also the great Lycurgus, the most famous legislator, whose work was the later famous Sparta. Tyrtaeus, the great poet of the Spartans, as well as many other men and women, wrote golden pages in Greek history. It is characteristic that the Spartan women were the freest women of the ancient Greek world, while the Spartans were famous for their austerity and simplicity.

ancient Sparta

Another famous force was Argos. Argos is one of the most ancient cities in the world, which continues to exist to this day. Characteristic is the omnipotence of Argos in the Homeric years, so that all the Peloponnesians are called Argians, while even more characteristic is that the Macedonians come from Argos, with the most famous the dynasty of Argeades, with their most famous descendant, Alexander the Great himself. Also from here came the most famous demigod of all time, Hercules, son of Zeus and Alcmene who went to Thebes from Argos, granddaughter of the other famous hero, Perseus, who was also son of Zeus, with mother Danae, daughter of Akrisios, the king of Argos. Nearby, in Mycenae, whice were founded by Perseus, is where Agamemnon and Menelaus came from. However, in the following centuries, Argos remained one of the largest forces in Greece.

Mycenae, the gate of lions and the cyclopean walls

Ancient Corinth, a city so cosmopolitan and powerful, that it became one of the largest commercial centers of the ancient world, while it became also one of the richest cities in the Mediterranean. From the leading forces of the Greeks in the wars against the Persians and the birthplace of Periander the Corinthian, one of the seven wise men of antiquity. The mythical hero Vellerophon, son of the Corinthian king Glafkos and Evrynomi, daughter of the king of Megara, Nisos, also came from there. Characteristic is the importance of Corinth and the respect it inspired, so that all the councils of the Greeks who had a pan-Hellenic tone, took place there.

ancient Corinth

Eliki, an ancient and powerful city of Achaea, metropolis of many colonies in the Mediterranean. The city was located near Aigio and sank in a lagoon. It took its name from the mythical Eliki, daughter of Selinountas, who was the son of Ionas. It was the largest city of Achaea, while it took part in the Trojan War, on the side of Agamemnon. It was an important commercial and cultural center of antiquity, as it minted its own coins.
 

ancient Eliki

Tegea, one of the most powerful cities of the Arcadians. An ancient city, founded by Tegeas, son of Lycaeon and grandson of Pelasgos. It was the seat of the mythical kings of Arcadia, such as Agapinoras, who campaigned in Troy, and later colonized Paphos in Cyprus. Characteristic of the Tegeans was their bravery, which made even the Spartans honor them for it and although the two cities were initially at war, they later became loyal allies. The city had become very strong and very prosperous, as it minted its own currency. It also took part in all the struggles of the Greeks against the Persians. Tegea gave birth to famous heroes and heroines, such as king Agapinoras, the poet Anyti, the tragic poet Aristarchus, the philosopher Antisthenes, the hero Agaios who had taken part in the Argonaut campaign, the beautiful and famous runner Atalanta, the all-wise teacher of Socrates, Diotima, while according to mythology the god Pan, the tragomorphic god of nature, also came from here.

Tegea, temple of Aleas Athena

Pylos, the ancient city of Messenia, birthplace of the mythical Nestor. Pylos was one of the most powerful cities of the Mycenaean kingdom, with great economic and military power. Its power was so great that it did not even have walls to protect the city during Mycenaean rule.

Pylos, palace of Nestor

Of course in this historical overview how one of the most important places of the Peloponnese, Greece and the world, the ancient Olympia in Elis could be missing. A place dedicated to Zeus, home of the Olympic Games, which from the depths of antiquity, continue to exist to this day, being the most important sporting event in the world. According to the legend, the Olympic Games started from Hercules in honor of Zeus. There in Olympia was also an ivory statue of Zeus, a work of Pheidias, which was one of the seven wonders of the world. Infinite number of Greeks were glorified in this place, as it was the most important event, to such an extent that during the games all wars stopped.

ancient Olympia

But the history of the Peloponnese does not end in ancient times. Even during Roman rule, many cities continued to thrive. Even later, in the Byzantine years, the Peloponnese was glorified. Castles were built, today being monuments of unique beauty. The castle of Karytaina in Arcadia, the castle of Patras, the castle of Araklovo in Elis, the beautiful castle of Monemvasia in Laconia, the castle of Mouchli in Arcadia, the castle of Bezenikos also in Arcadia, the castle of coast Astros in Kynouria, the castle of Oleni in Elis and of course the castle city of Mystras in Laconia, the great city of Byzantium, from where Constantine Paleologos, the last emperor of Byzantium, left to defend Constantinople against the Ottomans.

Mystras

Of course churches and monasteries of that time have written their own history in the Peloponnese. The Agia Lavra in Kalavrita, the monastery of Askitis in Elis, the Panayia (Virgin Mary) Katakekrymmeni in Argolis, the monastery of Vrontama in Laconia, as well as the church of Episkopi in Tegea. The list is vast, and it is really worth looking for and visiting the monasteries and churches of the Peloponnese, as each of them has a unique story, while their beauty is unparalleled, and in addition to cities and villages, we find them perched in mountains, valleys, ravines and rivers.

the historic monastery of Agia Lavra in Kalavrita

However, in the following centuries, the Peloponnese wrote history. Greek Revolution of 1821, when the Peloponnesians gave the greatest and hardest fight to liberate Greece from the Turks. Countless battles, mythical heroes and heroines gave everything so that Greece is free today. From the invincible Maniates, to the famous heroes born by Peloponnese. Nikitaras, Vilaetis, Notaras, Chrysanthakopouloi, Giatrakos, Staikopoulos, but also women like Savvaina, Konstantina Zacharia, so many heroes and heroines that it is not enough for a feature to record them all and praise their achievements. Of course, Theodoros Kolokotronis, the incarnation of the Revolution, the legendary Peloponnesian general who contributed the most to the liberation of Greece, could not be missing. The whole Peloponnese had become an endless battlefield, with the Greeks fighting for the freedom of their homeland.

Theodoros Kolokotronis

Peloponnesian people contributed the most to the liberation of the rest of Greece. After the liberation of Greece from the Turks, the people of Mani (a land southwest in Laconia) found themselves fighting the Bavarians so that the fate of the newly formed Greece would not fall into their hands. In Crete, in 1866, 1,800 Maniates people went to help in the struggle for freedom, with 500 of them watering the Cretan land with their blood. In Ioannina, in 1913, also Maniates were there to fight for the liberation of Ioannina, with the famous 8th regiment. Maniates also joined the army of the great hero Pavlos Melas who fought to liberate Macedonia. However, in 1940, in the struggle against the Italians and the Germans, Mani gave everything for the freedom of the homeland, led by the famous Konstantinos Davakis, who like a lion with his battalion consisting of many Laconians, on Pindos hills, faced the elite of the Italian army, the 3rd Alpini Brigade Julia, managing to defeat them, something that played a decisive role in the outcome of the war in favor of the Greeks. The history of the Corinthians is great from the 6th infantry regiment of Corinthia, in the first battle fought with the Italians in 1940 in Albania, specifically in the area of Vouliarates, Argyrokastro, when literally a handful of Corinthian infantry managed to occupy the hill from the Italians who were in defence and open the way of counter-attack. But other Peloponnesians also gave their lives for the freedom of Greece. Soldiers from Argolis fought in all the struggles from the Greek-Turkish war in 1897, until the Turkish invasion in Cyprus in 1974, losing over 7,000 men in all these wars. The same goes for Arcadia with over 3,000 fallen and Achaea with over 2,500 fallen. The same goes for Elis with over 2,000 fallen and Corinthia with over 1,000 fallen. Laconia with over 3,000 fallen and Messenia with over 4,500 fallen (information on numbers of the fallen comes from the Army History Directorate). These battles include the Greek-Turkish War of 1897, the Macedonian Independence War from 1904 to 1908, the Balkan Wars from 1912 to 1913, World War I from 1914 to 1918, the Asia Minor campaign from 1919 to 1922, World War II from 1940 to 1941, the National Resistance from 1941 to 1945 and the Turkish invasion in Cyprus in 1974.

the cemetery of the Greek soldiers in Vouliarates of
Argyrokastro, where the Corinthian infantrymen won

After going through the depths of history, we have come to nowadays. Today, Peloponnese is one of the most beautiful places in Greece. From cosmopolitan cities such as Patras, which is the largest city in the Peloponnese, the beautiful Kalamata and Nafplio, the first capital of Greece after the Revolution of 1821, beautiful and picturesque seaside city, to Pyrgos and Corinth, two cities that have sea and beautiful places near them. Tripoli, which is located in the heart of the Peloponnese, but also Sparta, which may be small but has many attractions. Traditional and picturesque villages, such as Vytina, Stemnitsa, Dimitsana, Andritsaina, Kalavrita, Karytaina, Kardamyli, Vathia, Trikala Corinthias, Georgitsi, Kosmas Arcadias, Lagadia and countless other villages are waiting for us to explore them. Historic cities such as Argos, the stone-built Areopolis, the beautiful Monemvasia to beautiful coastal cities such as Koroni, Gytheio, Astros and Leonidio, Katakolo and many others. All cities have restaurants, clubs, bars, theaters, museums, shops, markets, squares and everything a city would like to have, while the villages have their traditional cafes, taverns and squares. Each prefecture has an endless list of beautiful cities and villages waiting for you.

Nafplio

The Peloponnese is both a winter and a summer destination. The mountainous Arcadia and mountainous Corinthia steal the show during the winter season. But this does not mean that there are not quite many things to see and do in the rest of the Peloponnese, as mountain villages and beautiful winter landscapes await visitors. In summer the Peloponnese is really unrivalled. 

Elafonisos

The entire Peloponnesian coastline has beaches of unique beauty that make them a tourist attraction. The beaches of Elafonisos mentioned above, Simos and Sarakiniko, Finikounta and Voidokilia in Messenia, Kalogria beach in Mani, Mavrovouni and Plytra in Laconia, Elea in Messenia, Stoupa also in Mani, Kourouta in Elis, Caiaphas beach also in Elis, Fokianos beach on the slopes of Parnonas, Pefkias beach in Corinthia, the beautiful Eleni baths also in Corinthia, as well as Skalosia beach, Arvanitia and Karathonas beaches in Argolis and many others that are impossible to record all in one article.

Voidokilia beach, Messenia

Of course, festivals, events and trade fairs could not be missing from the Peloponnese. Each area holds its own celebrations, whether it concerns a patron saint or a local product, such as the feast of chestnuts in Kastanitsa, Arcadia. However, trade fairs also have their own value, such as e.g. the great trade fair of Tegea. Of course, Patras is famous all over the world, which every year organizes the biggest and most spectacular carnivals in Greece, being an attraction for thousands of visitors. Of course the traditions are not missing from the Peloponnese, as the National celebrations are always celebrated with traditional costumes, traditional music and traditional dances. The traditional dances of the Peloponnese are the sirtos, tsamikos, kalamatianos and tsakonikos. It is worth noting that the famous war dance of the Pontians, pyrrhic, originates from Sparta, as it was danced by warriors as a kind of preparation for battle.

carnival of Patras

The natural beauties of the Peloponnese are innumerable. From caves of incredible beauty such as that of Diros in Mani, the cave of the Lakes in Achaea and the cave of Kapsia in Arcadia, to beautiful forests such as that of Skiritida in Arcadia, Strofylia in Achaea, Foloi in Elis, Ksylokastro in Corinthia, Vasiliki in Laconia, the famous cedar forest of Parnon in Arcadia and much more. Incredible gorges like that of Lousios in Arcadia, while the show is stolen by waterfalls, such as those of the beautiful Neda in Elis and Polylimni in Messenia. Beautiful natural landscapes, such as the Diavologefiro in Troizina, lake Taka in Arcadia, unique wetlands, such as that of Moustos in Kynouria, Stymfalia lake in Corinthia, lake Vouliagmeni also in Corinthia, the beautiful lake Doxa, the lake Tsivlou in Achaea and many more beautiful destinations. Of course the Peloponnese has many natural habitats, which are protected by European agencies, such as for example the lagoon of Kotychio in Elis.

Neda waterfalls, Elis

The flora of the Peloponnese is truly endless, hosting numerous endemic and non-endemic plants, herbs, aromatic plants, flowers and more, such as the hypericum perforatum, the wild pansy of Parnon, irises, the centaurea of Parnon, the centaurea of Laconia and Corinthia, the Peloponnesian cyclamen, the potentilla of Arcadia, bells,the tulip of Goulimis, the Messenian skila, reeds, water lilies and more. Almost all the slopes of the Peloponnese are fragrant with the smell of thyme, oregano and sage. We find mainly pines, plane trees, firs, cypresses, oaks, willows and poplars. But the fauna of the Peloponnese is also equal to the flora. Among mammals, the largest inhabitant of Peloponnese is the wild boar. Other animals we encounter are foxes, jackals, otters, badgers, ferrets, hedgehogs and rodents. The reptile fauna of the Peloponnese is also of great importance, with endemic species such as the european green lizard, the limbless skink, the greek rock lizard and the algyroides moreoticus lizard, while we find vipers, eastern montpellier snakes, balkan whip snakes, water snakes, marginated tortoises and river turtles. When it comes to amphibians we find toads and frogs, and concerning insects we find a variety of species, some of which are endemic, such as the butterfly Menelaus. The fish fauna is also remarkable, as in almost all the rivers of the Peloponnese we find endemic species of fish, such as the aphanius almiriensis, the Laconian pelasgus, the Pelasgus stymphalicus, the kaiadic menida and the golden menida, while other species found are eels and trouts. The avifauna of the Peloponnese is very important, as many parts of Peloponnese are a resting place and a refuge for many migratory bird species. However, the endemic species are many and important, as among them we find the golden eagle, the bonelli's eagle, the short-toed snake eagle, the western marsh harrier, the common buzzard, the peregrine falcon, as well as many species of owl, while there are waterfowl such as ducks, coots, gallinula chloropus ducks, herons and more. Other inhabitants of the forests that we find are rock partridges, crows and more.

golden eagle, the largest species
of eagle in Greece

Peloponnese has a heavy industry of goods production, with which it financially supports all of Greece, as it produces goods of excellent quality. The famous raisin productions that Patras used to make, the incredible wines of Nemea and Agiorgitika, the mavrodafni of Patras, the incredible quality chapeles, figs, potatoes, onions, tomatoes, oranges, the famous aubergine of Leonidio and of course the most famous olive oil and olives, Kalamon, which come from the land of Messenia and Laconia. The famous Vytina honey, which comes from the firs and is the only one in the world that without any treatment has a vanilla taste. High quality tobacco mainly from Messenia, while of course Arcadia has a prominent role in livestock farming with wonderful cheeses, meats, milks and more. While Peloponnese also has very strong fishery, mainly in Patras, where there are fish farms. Of course, there are other goods too, such as chestnuts, walnuts, fruits and more.

Kalamon olives

With such a large number of goods, of excellent quality, it was not possible for the Peloponnese not to have a delicious cuisine. Lalagia Manis, the wonderful traditional pancakes of Mani. Syglino, salty pork, perhaps in its most delicious version. Messinian milk pie, which reminds you of something village-like. Cayanas with pork, whoever goes to Messenia, must try. Open Mani's cheese pie, contains all the Mani's products in just one bite. Messinian diples, the most delicious sweet you have tasted. Riganada, the Peloponnesian version of dakos. The Tsakonian aubergines with feta and basil from Arcadia. Giosa of Argolis, ewe cooked for hours. Bogana of Argolis, lamb or pork in the oven. Lamb with orange, one of the most delicious dishes of Peloponnese. Of course, the flagship of the Peloponnesian cuisine, the traditional pork, the favorite dish of the whole Peloponnese, could not be missing.

Peloponnesian pork

Of course the sights of the Peloponnese are endless. The fortress of Palamidi and Bourtzi in Nafplio, the ancient theater of Epidavros in Argolis, the ancient Mycenae and Tiryntha, the temple of Epicurean Apollo which is the Parthenon of Peloponnese in Arcadia, the ancient Olympia and dozens of museums in the whole Peloponnese, as well as monasteries, castles and historic houses, such as that of Theodoros Kolokotronis in Limbovisi, Arcadia.

ancient theater of Epidavros

The Peloponnesian people are hard working, people of letters and arts, such as the Laconian poets Ioannis Ritsos and Nikiforos Vrettakos, Arcadian Dimitris Mitropoulos, internationally renowned conductor, the Corinthian poet and novelist Kostas Karyotakis, the Messinian poet Maria Polydouri, the Arcadian poet Tassos Livaditis, as well as many others. They also stand out in science and sports, have very strong communities in America, Canada and Australia, while they shine in all areas. In the Peloponnese you can find people who are pure, honest, brave, respectful, friendly and warm, as long as you know how to approach them. They are people who love their homeland, they are attached to it, even if they are on the other side of the world. Unfortunately, the Peloponnese has been wronged in many issues, it does not have the same size of public works in relation to other parts of Greece, it does not get the same advertisement in relation to other parts of Greece and it is quite neglected by governments, local authorities and competent institutions. But the Peloponnese continues to live and evolve, to raise its levels in all areas, it is getting slowly but steadily kind of upgraded, but without losing its unique character. Anyone who has not visited the Peloponnese can not understand the energy of the place and its vibrations. It can only express an unsupported view. But whoever has visited it, should be sure that he/she has fully understood it, as the Peloponnese is not just soil and mountains, it is the soul and heart of Greece itself, it is a living organism with soul, mind and body.

Peloponnese

This is the Peloponnese, but not all of it, as it is a place that whatever you write about it, is never enough. No matter how hard you try. Whatever you say, there will always be something else that will be left unsaid, because the Peloponnese, as we said, is the most beautiful star in the clear blue sky of Greece.