Гитион
Есть неподалеку от Гитиона (помимо муниципального) и немало неплохих пляжей. Из тех, что находятся к северу от города стоит выделить Селиницу и Валтаки, а из тех, что находятся к югу - пляж Мавровуни. Кстати, в песке этого пляжа каждый год черепахи Карета-Карета каждый год откладывают свои яйца.
Как добраться до Гитиона:
- на машине из Афин (256 км) по трассе A7
- на машине из Спарты (48 км) по трассе E961/ΕΟ39
- на автобусе из Афин с автовокзала Кифисью
Адрес автовокзала в Гифио: ул. Хераклеос, 2, тел. +30 27330 22 228.
Фото и текст: Александр Фролов
Gytheio
One of the most beautiful towns of the Prefecture of Lakonia, in the area of Mani, Gytheio is a popular Greek destination throughout the year. Although located in mainland, it looks more like an island, with the elegant neoclassical buildings lining up in front of the picturesque port. Talking about the port, It hosts cruise ships very often, which is a nice view to enjoy while you are sitting at the cafes, restaurants and ouzo tavers that are crowded in the area. From the port of Gytheio you can sail to the islands Kythira and Antikythira and to Kissamos Of Chania.
Going back hundrends of centuries, the ancient Gytheio was the dockyard of Sparta. The ancient city was at the entrance of the modern Gytheio, on the north side. You can still see the remnants of the ancient acropolis on the hill, while at the foot there are the remnants of the ancient theater from the Roman times, when the ancient Gytheio met its heyday.
On the southern edge of the city, after the port, there is a small island, artificially joined to the coast. Its name is Kranai and it was the shelter of Paris and Helene (the beautiful wife of the king of Sparta, Menelaos) the night before they leave for Troia. The legend has it that Paris was so hasty, that he left there his helmet and that is how the islet took its name (helmet in Greek is “kranos”). Today Kranai is considered the “jewel” of Gytheio. The Tzannetaki tower, which was built in 1829 by the General of the Greek Revolution, Tzannetakis Grigorakis, and now houses the Historical Ethnological Museum of Mani, the wonderful marble octagonal lighthouse, built in 1873, and the quaint chapel of Saint Peter are among the sights of Kranai.
During summer, the beaches of Gytheio can offer endless hours of fun. Apart from the municipal beach which is in the town, you can also visit the sandy beaches Selinitsa and Valtaki on the north. The best ones though are located south of Gytheio. The most famous of them is Mavrovouni, where you can also enjoy various sea sports. In the sand of Mavrovouni beach is also where the turtles Kareta-Kareta lay their eggs every year.
How to get there: By car from Athens (distance 256 km) via A7, from Sparta (distance 43,7 km) via E961/ΕΟ39. By bus from Athens: Athens bus station (100 Kifissou Avenue, Athens), tel.: +30 210 51 24 913. Gytheio bus station (2 Herakleous Street, Gytheio), tel.: +30 27330 22 228.
Τext: Marilou Pantazi
