Elafonisos - Kato Nisi / Island of Panagia
















 

 

 

elafonisos Panagia.jpg (32040 bytes)

On the island's west coast is the seaside of Panagia.  It was probaly here that Kinadis' monument was constructed (Kinadis was the captain of the ship of Menelaos). 
Sight seeing:
The church of Panagia:
The church was renovated in 1928.  An inscription of various names located above the entrace dates back to 1825.  Preserved stones with rough casts and pans of paintings in Fresco can be found in the sactuary.  The icon of Theotokos was created in 1855 while the bronze bell (which stands outside the temple) was erected in 1878.  The church was built where an older Byzantine church once stood.  Standing outside the church and looking toward Leptos Kavos, one can see traces of the old carriage roads.
Mucenean cemetery: Remnants of Panagia's (a small Mucenean town) cemetary can be seen 200 meters west of the church.  Small caves were used as tombs during the years of 1600 - 1100 b.c..
Early Christian cemetery: It was discovered on 1993 by Christoforos Melas in Kato - Nisi, along with other Byzantine findings.
The tower of Melas’ family in Mani.
This traditional castle was built in 1863 by Michael and Dimitrios Melas.   It represents the island's inhabitation by elafonisos Castle.jpg (18477 bytes)Maniates. The name Melas means dark colored (Melanias - Melas [black]).  The famous Melas family is a continuation of the Stratigopoulos family which lived in Ipiros until 1625.  The family was chased out of Giannena by the Turks.Family members escaped to non Turkish areas such as Transilvania, Eptanisa and  Mani. The following are famous Melas family members: I. Melas (Captain - Jannos) the guerilla, Michael. Melas the Baron and chief in command of the Austria-Hungarian powers which fought against Napoleon, and Pavlos Melas the Macedonian fighter.  Members of the Melas family moved to Elafonisos (Kato - Nisi) from Spira because of the "Psaromatis" vendetta.  The castle was renovated 1993 by Christopher P. Melas and is open to the public during limited hours.  For informantion you may contact the bakery shop, at tel: 61-213.
While in the area, you will probably be impressed by the natural beauty of  the "Islands of Panagia" (islands of Virgin Mary).  Cedars and sandy hills are the landmarks of this pretty location..

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