MANI

 

                                                     

Mani, situated on the southernmost tip of the European Union is a place of unique beauty and rich history.

The Mani peninsular in the Peloponnese has a fantastic landscape, tremendous architecture and rich history and traditions.  Mani is an arid area, its stone houses resemble medieval fortresses and the beautiful Byzantine churches have an atmosphere of peace and serenity. Its aridity and stone houses made me remember a poem by Yiannis Ritsos "Mani, a flower made of stone".

Apparently, a human skull, dating more than 210.000 years ago was discovered in a cave in Mani.  This is the oldest evidence of homo sapiens in Europe.  Also. Neolithic remains have been found in many caves along the Mani coasts.  Homer refers to a number of towns in the Mani region and some artefacts from the Mycenean period have been discovered. 

As the power of the Byzantine Empire declined, Mani drifted out of the Empire's control. Over the subsequent centuries, Mani was fought over by the Francs and the Saracens.   After the 4th Crusade in 1204 AD, Italian and French knights occupied the Peloponnese and created the Principality of Achaea.  The area fell under Byzantine rule after 1262 forming the Despotate of Morea.    In 1460, after the Fall of Constantinople, the Despotate fell to the Ottoman Turks.   

 

Known in the middle ages as Moria, it was one of the most inaccessible and the most mutinous parts of Greece, which until the 1970s could only be reached by boat. 

 

Its capital is called Areopolis, Greek for the "city of war". It is not surprising, therefore, that originating from the city of war the Maniots have the reputation of fierce warriors, who also practised blood feuds. 

 

The Maniots, these fierce warriors, descendants of the ancient Dorians and Spartans are supposed to be the most pure-blooded of all Greeks.  They defended their lands against the armies of William Villhardouin and later against those of the Ottoman empire.  

 

Maniots were famous for piracy and vendettas but they were particularly known for the love of independence.

 

Mani was the only region of Greece which was independent when our country fell under Ottoman rule in 1460.  As the Ottoman power began to decline, in the 1800’s, Mani became a stronghold of Kleftes (mountain bandits) who fought against the Turks.

 

Petros Mavromichalis, “Chief in Charge” of the Mani leaders of the Greek war of independence proclaimed the revolution on 17^th of March 1821 in Areopolis.