|
Ermionida
Kranidi, Ermioni,
Porto Heli, Kilada,
Didima
AREA INFORMATION
Ermionida constitutes one
of the three counties of Argolida in the north-east Peloponnese whose
rich and breathtaking landscape encompasses the famous ancient sites of
Corinth, Mycenae, Epidavros and Tyrins, and the lovely town of Nafplion.
Situated at the tip of the peninsula opposite the islands of Spetses and
Hydra the county of Ermionida has a mixture of agricultural towns and
fishing villages. Its coastline is rippled with numerous inlets and
small bays offering wonderful clear water and natural harbors. The
interior of rolling hills and plains semi-encompassed by mountains to
the north-west is covered by olive groves and dotted by towns and
villages in which the traditional rhythm of daily life has remained
unchanged.
Kranidi dominates the
interior plain of Ermionida. Built on a hill it overlooks the mountain
passes north and east, and the port of Kilada below. Historically its
inhabitants were engaged in both agricultural and seafaring activities.
Its importance as a commercial center is still visible in its stately
homes~ ornamented with lace-like iron balconies and its numerous
impressive churches. The town still retains a charming old world
appearance and atmosphere. Walking along its narrow cobbled streets the
sights, sounds and smells transport one to a previous era.
Ermioni is a charming town
and port situated on a narrow peninsula whose history goes back to
antiquity. Archaeological traces of the ancient city have been found
throughout the present site and in the pine-covered area at the tip of
the peninsula called Bisti. The recent town is a Custer of small houses,
narrow store-covered streets surrounded on either side by a harbor.
Lining the main port are pensions, restaurant and shops, while in the
particularly picturesque quarter called Mandrakia with its old colorful
houses and taverns lining the waterfront is another harbor where the
fishermen's boats are docked and their nets put out to dry.
The road leading north- east of Ermioni is dotted with
small seaside towns and resorts. Particularly attractive is the area
around Thermissia and Plepi with its seemingly endless beaches lining
the coast. rewarding visit while in the area is to the monastery of Agii
Anagriri which dates from the eleventh century. The existing buildings
are dated from the seventeenth century. The walls of the churches are
adored with frescoes from this period and the elaborately carved wooden
iconostasis covered in gold leaf dates from 1711.
Porto Heli is
picturesque because of its fascinating beaches, a tourist centre because
of its luxurious hotels, unique because of its secure port, bright
because of its 350 days of sunshine, unforgettable because of its
wonderful sunset, inexhaustible because of its innumerable cultural
activities.
All these qualities made Porto Heli, this little village
of fishermen, a unique summer holiday centre. Its first name, "ALIIS"
meaning fishermen came from the occupation of its inhabitants. However
conquerors changed it into "Porto Heli". There 's an ancient city at the
bottom of the sea near Hotel Giouli. We can distinguish the walls, the
temple, the Acropolis.
Archaeological researches have proved that the city was
autonomous and rich (commerce, pottery, agriculture).
For unknown reasons, the story of the city is suddenly
interrupted, leaving a lot of unanswerable questions to the
archaeologists.
Today, this village of fishermen, still maintaining its
charm has evolved into a tourist centre where a lot of ship - owners
have had their houses built, a lot of luxurious yachts are sheltered in
its natural port. We are also certain that its modern and comfortable
hotels along with its luxurious rented rooms will make your visit
unforgettable.
Its perfect road network and means of transportation
makes it even easier for you to visit the place and enjoy its serenity,
its warm climate and the traditional Greek life.
You can spend your day on its vast beaches, with pine
trees that reach the sand or in small picturesque bays, have lunch at
the traditional taverns and ouzeri along the port and finally live an
intense night that will keep you awake till down.
Kilada, a quiet fishing
village 6 kilometers from Kranidi, despite a few modern buildings lining
the port evokes the same atmosphere of a pre- industrial way of life.
Its harbor is crowded with colorful fishing vessels built by local
craftsmen. Past traditions still retain a spontaneous nature
particularly evident in the festival which takes place on the first of
August every year celebrating the embarking of the fishing fleet.
Nearby opposite the port is the mouth of a large cave (refereed
to by the local residents as The cave of Cyclops') in which pre-historic
remains have been excavated dating from 25,000 to 5,000 B.C.
Didima. Further inland 14
kilometers from Kranidi near the village of Didima is another large cave
(visible from the road) and crater which are believed to have created by
the fall of a meteor. At the bottom of the crater (which can be reached
by a tunnel) are two tiny churches.
One is of St. George in which traces of old frescoes are
evident and the other is the tiny cave-like chapel of the Metamorphosis.
Read more
|
