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Neda River
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More information about places near Irida Resort
The
Peloponnese is a distinguished part of the Greek Mainland. With long
unspoilt coastlines, rolling green hills, steep mountains, wild
flowers, forests and authentic traditional villages.
It is the place for exploring monasteries, castles, and some of the
world’s most impressive historic sites.
It is a superb area for touring as every region, village and small
hamlet within is a point of attraction for the foreign traveler.
The peninsula of Messenia will impress you the most. The castles of
Pylos, Methoni and Koroni are strong reflections of the varied
culture and history that has washed over the area through the
centuries and which lives on to the present day. The little towns
where land meets sea are warm nests of life. The sandy beaches are
more abundant here then anywhere else in Greece and up to now very
few have experienced their clear crystal waters so they are still
unspoilt.
The whole area produces the
finest quality olive oil; some would say the best of the entire
Mediterranean coast. Our own oil is extra virgin olive oil as it is
solely made from Messinian trees and not mixed with any other and is
also oil from first ‘pressing’ only. Do enquire if you would like to
taste or buy through Irida Resort extra virgin olive oil.
The lagoon of Gialova is a fine example
of a productive ecosystem and one of 10 major lagoons in Greece. It
is one of the most important migratory stop-over points in Europe
and its brackish waters are a refuge for rare birds and the reeds
and other water plants that grow in fresh water marshes full of
fish.
The lagoon of Gialova is an excellent area for walking and bird
watching.
On the outskirts of the lagoon the sand dunes
provide the perfect habitat for reptile populations such as the
African Chameleon. At the Southern edge of
the bay of Navarino you will see the town of Pylos spreading in
amphitheatre style down to the sea. The town of 2.500 inhabitants
was designed and constructed by the French engineers of the army
corps under General Maison between 1828 and 1833.
The huge plane trees in the square with the local cafés serving
drinks under their shade are the center of local life and the best
relaxation spot.
The arches bordering the square give a unique character to the town. From the little harbor of Pylos just in front of the square you can
take a boat trip to the island of Sphakteria and visit the
Chichli-baba islet where according to legend, if a pregnant woman
goes through the arched passage of the islet, she will give birth to
a boy.
At the Southwestern edge of the town the Castle - called “Neocastro”
- was built in 1573 and then extended and repaired in 1686. It
covers an area of 75.000 m sq and is the best-preserved castle in
Greece. The exploration of the castle will take your feet over stone
paved paths used for centuries by many different populations and as
you stroll through the extensive grounds you will feel the presence
of past generations.
The little town of Methoni, just a 10 km drive from Pylos, is known
as a fisherman’s village. The beautiful atmospheric castle curves
around the bay protecting the town like an outstretched arm. After
exploring this stunning Castle, which is a riot of flowers in the
spring, take a walk through the village to the small local market
for souvenirs and local products.
Further round on the East side of the peninsula you will find the
picturesque town of Koroni, with the ruins of the Venetian castle on
the cliffs which separate the town from the long sandy beach of
Zagga. The church of Evangelistria and the nunnery within the castle
are the only places in Messenia where you can still see working
Nuns.
The little town of Koroni has a very characteristic Greek color with
its narrow streets and beautiful old houses. Here you can find local
products and Greek art shops as well as pottery works.
Just 29 km from Irida Resort you will find the ruins of Nestor’s
Palace. The famous Ancient King of Pylos. It is also worth visiting
the museum in the nearby agricultural town of Chora just 2 km
further on from the Palace.
Olympia is one of the world’s best-known ancient sites and only a
half hour drive from Irida Resort. Olympia is the birthplace of the
Olympic Games that started in 776B.C. and conquered the world with
their spirit of peace and co-operation. Nowadays the Olympic Games
are again the number one athletic event in the world. The Ancient
site of Olympia concentrates all the high lights of Ancient Greek
history and architecture. Here you will find the remains of the
temples of the Olympus Gods Zeus and Hera, the Philippion from King
Filippos of Macedonia, Phidias’ workshops, the Echo-hall, the
Stadium and the Palestra and many other valuable historic monuments.
Mystras is a Byzantine city, 2 km outside of Sparta, which used to
be the capital of the Byzantium Empire.
The city ruins hug a steep hillside and boast impressive churches
with frescoes from the middle ages and late Byzantine times as well
as the dramatic palace of the Despots and the houses of wealthy
Byzantine families. Mystras is a 2-hour drive from Eleonas through
the breathtaking Taygetos Mountains.
The caves of Diros near Areopolis on the Mani peninsular are well
worth a visit. Still being excavated, the caves offer a rare chance
to see stalactites and stalagmites on a boat ride. It is a two hours
drive from Irida Resort through
the stark scenery of the Mani.
Monemvasia at the far Southeastern side of the Peloponnese is an
entire Byzantine city inside castle fortifications. Here you can
experience the unique atmosphere of a medieval town and feel you
have stepped back in time. As the journey from Irida Resort
to Monemvasia takes 3 hours you may wish to stay overnight, in which
case we can help with bookings. Excellent accommodation is available
inside the castle in old restored houses and you will find tasty
examples of traditional Greek cooking.
In the Northeastern province of the Peloponnese in the Argolis area
you will find some of the most impressive Ancient sites such as the
Theater of Epidavros, the Palace of Mycenae, Ancient Tyrins and
Ancient Korinth. The picturesque town of
Nauplion, with the castle of Palamidi high on the cliffs overlooking
the town, offers a host of extremely interesting places to explore.
Nauplion was the first capital of the Neo Hellenic State after the
emancipation from the Ottomans. The classic architecture of the old
town is rigorously protected.
In Kazarma near Haravgi, 32 kilometres
away from Kalamata there is the canyon of Polilimnio with its
15 lakes and waterfalls. Crossing a small path for 5 minutes and
passing through dense vegetation and picturesque wooden bridges you
will find yourselves in a secret paradise made of small lakes and
waterfalls, surrounded by olive groves and vineyards. The lakes with
different strange names such as Mavrolimna, Kadi, Kardoula, Lucky’s,
Italian’s, Panagos’s, Stathoula’s, well hidden for many years, have
become known to the public only recently and opened to visits of
nature’s friends.
In the summer many are those who prefer the cool waters of the lakes of
Polilimnio to swim, as for example in lake Kardoula, which was named
after its heart-like shape. The waterfall offers a unique experience
to whoever reaches it, while the bravest ones get themselves to
impressive dives from the surrounding rocks in the lake’s deep
waters.
Small canyons, dense vegetation and gorgeous waterfalls will turn a hike
of medium difficulty 3 km long into a unique and unforgettable
experience. The canyon’s water that come from Mesopotamos, after
crossing the bridge of Tzane, flow into the lap of the Messinian
Bay. If someone follows the canyon downwards they will reach the
cave of beautiful butterflies.
You can find Polylimnio, following the road from Pylos to Kalamata. Near
the village Kazarma there is the village Charavgi, from where the
path to Polylimnio begins (there is a sign leading to Polilimnio on
the main road).
At the southwest of Andritsaina, on a rough and fascinating
mountainous landscape stands the imposing temple of Epicurean
Apollo, one of the biggest ancient temples. It is situated 14 km
South of Andritsaina, at an altitude of 1.130 m., on mountain
Kotilio. In 7th century B.C., on the area that in ancient times was
called Vasses (it means small flat areas on rocks), the inhabitants
of neighboring Figaleia erected a temple in honour of Apollo Vassita
and worshipped him with the name Epicure – an assistant in war or
illness. He was given the name Epicurean during the wars against the
Spartans around 650 b.C.
Apollo’s temple in the sanctuary of Vasses is one of the best-saved
monuments of classical antiquity. Moreover, it is the best-preserved
temple, after that of Hephaestus in Athens. Among all the temples in
Peloponnisos and after the temple in Tegea, this one could be
considered the most beautiful one, thanks to its fine marble and the
harmony of the whole.
It was built in 420-400 B.C. on the ruins of an older archaic temple. The
traveller Pausanias, who visited and admired the monument in the
middle of 2nd century A.D. mentions Iktinos as its architect. The
temple has a special place in the history of Greek architecture,
because it combines in an ingenious way the archaistic elements
dictated by local religious tradition with its creator’s bold
innovative ideas. It is a Doric peripteral temple, with orientation
N.-S and dimensions 14,48 x 38,24m on the level of the keystone.
The too narrow and long row of columns, the number of the columns (6x15
instead of the common at the time 6x13) and their arrangement
(larger inter-column spaces on the narrow sides) are archaic
features and follow a particular pattern: that of Apollo’s great
temple in Delphi. However, these features are harmonically combined
with innovative characteristics of the mature classic Athenian
architecture, such as the thin columns, the low sill and upper parts
and the spacious front and back sides. The monument’s greatest
originality lies in the formation of its interior.
In the cella there is the element of colonnade along the three sides, like
in the Parthenon and Hephaestus's temple (Thisio) in Athens, even
though the columns along the long sides are not free. They appear
from the walls like thin cross partitions (according to those in the
archaic temple of Hera in Olympia) that end in Ionian columns with
particular capitals and bases. Along the narrow side of the cella,
opposite to the entrance, the free column (and maybe the two last
columns, in the same line as this one) had the first Corinthian
capital in the history of architecture.
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Epikourios Apollon Temple
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Distances from Kalo Nero to Platania
24 km, to Ancient Figaleia
25.5 km, to Epicurious Apollo-Vassai
45 km, to Andritsaina 54
km, to Karytaina 60 km.
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Sunset
at Irida Resort
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Nedas the famous river that travels you to the Greek mythology or the way of your dreams.
Generally driving distances are small and a cultural excursion can perfectly be combined with a
You can taste over 50 specialties according the Greek Mediterranean cuisine.
Staying in Kalo Nero is a unique chance for holidays in the country of Gods, Greece, near all major, archaeological and historical places like Olympia,
Ithomi, Mystras, Monemvasia. Kalo Nero Avlonos Kyparissias is a favourite with both locals and visitors thanks to its traditional Greek taverns that serve local specialties, like rost small pig, a wide variety of sea food.
Irida Resort
Kalo Nero Kyparissia
Tel: +302761071386 Fax:+302761071377
Mobile: +30 6979793436/+30
6979793804
email: info@iridaresort.gr
Contact by Skype:
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Best Western
Irida
Resort
