By Nicolas Bard

Her wild beauty Authentic Mani It is better imprinted from anywhere in the mansion and spooky Laconiawhich is undoubtedly the most photographed settlement of the area. On this part of the Laconian land, stone towers become one with the hard and rough landscape, making it an excellent example that human presence can be fully harmonized with the natural landscape. In view of the settlement from afar, you will not find any disagreement at all, while the village seems to have “sprouted” from some 18th century engravings.

Historical Vathia is in her heart Mani Laconianabout 100 kilometers from the city of Sparta, 30 kilometers from Areopolis and just 7 kilometers from Cape Tainaro. There, time seems to have frozen. Wandering through the narrow cobbled streets of the village you will see many renovated but also half -ruined towers, houses and chapels, while taking a solid dose, from how the settlement was many centuries ago, when it was full of life, and the most powerful mansion. The settlement was fortified so that the inhabitants could confront the pirates and then the Turks. From this point, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the wild mountains and the lacy coastline of Mani.

Every family in Mani built its own tower. It is even said that the height and size of the tower also indicated the power of each family.
Today in the settlement we see towers with two, three, even four floors! The towers were built very close to each other, and in this way they created a “wall of protection” from the aspiring conquerors. The first references to Vathia are made in the 16th century, while the settlement took the form we see today 18th centuryand got a great acne the 19th century. Most of the villagers were farmers, breeders,
Olive growers, hunters and … pirates! Unfortunately, by the beginning of the 20th century, residents gradually began to leave the area, and by the 1980s there was no electricity.

Although there was an ambitious attempt by the EOT To restore and renovate some of the settlement’s tower houses for tourist exploitation, eventually the effort remained unfinished. Vathia has not been able to revive again, while most towers are now deserted and half -ruined. However, the image of this settlement was one of the main reasons that Mani began to develop tourist. The authentic identity of the village, the imposing towers, the virgin natural landscape and the legends that “cover” the whole area have been attractive factor for many visitors, inside
And outside the border, while the panoramic image of the village has traveled to the ends of the Ecumenical.

Going there, you will not find a tourist -destined for coffee, restaurants and shops. But you will see a true ornament of the Mani soul, an outdoor and living museum of Greek history and folk architecture. Sit for a few minutes silent and listen to the air whistling through the stone cracks.

The same air was passing there and many centuries ago, when the village was full of people and the fires from the towers did the night. Years when the village witnessed many historical events and great events, which today make up a significant part of our country’s modern history.