THE ZARAX ASSOCIATION IS A CULTURAL ASSOCIATION BASED
IN SYDNEY, COMPRISED
OF MEMBERS HAILING FROM
THE ZARAKA REGION IN
LAKONIA, GREECE
THE VILLAGES OF ZARAKA
- ARIANA
- GERAKAS
- AGIOS IOANNIS
- REIHIA
- ACHLADOKAMBOS / LAMBOKAMBOS
- PISTAMATA
- HARAKAS
- KYPARISSI
LOGARI
/ ΛΟΓΓΑΡΙ
The history of Logari begins in the middle of the 19th century (around 1840-1850) when members of the Kapeleris clan first settled in the village. Originally farmers
from the prefecture of Evia north of Athens, the Kapeleris clan moved from Evia to Argos after the revolution of 1821 before continuing on to Arcadia. Members of the clan then moved their sheep and goats further south, settling in the Kouloureika part of the village of Rihea. The clan left Rihea and eventually settled in Logari.
The village takes its name from the forest that existed in the area ("Loggou"). In the years 1935-1945 Logari had approximately 80 residents. As was the case with many other villages, the village slowly emptied as people left for Athens, America and Australia. Today no one lives in Logari on a permanent basis although some Logarites visit the village in summer, ensuring that the church is operational and preparing their renowned dish of boiled goat for visitors.
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ARIANA / ΑΡΙΑΝΑ
Áriana
The small village of Ariana- the southernmost village of Zaraka - is 17 km north of Monemvasia and 5 km south of its
parent village Geraka. Ariana is a small vil- lage comprised of a cluster of traditional houses surrounded by prickly pear, carob and olive trees. A pathway leading from the
centre of town through neglected farmland ends in the bay of Kohila, with its crystal- clear water, from which the island of Daskalio can be seen rising steeply out of the sea. Ariana is also home to the small chapel of the Archangel with its 13th century frescoes.
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GERAKAS & THE PORT OF GERAKA / ΓΕΡΑΚΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΤΟ ΛΙΜΑΝΙ ΤΟΥ ΓΕΡΑΚΑ
Aproximately half an hour's drive north of Monemvasia is the fjord- like sea lagoon of Geraka with its picturesque village. In the book "Words from the Stem" by the famous Greek writer A. Karkavitsas, the port of Geraka was the setting of a tragic event. During a violent storm just off the coast, the son of the ship's captain (Captain Valmas) insisted that a secure port was hidden behind the rocks. Convinced that his son had become insane and that he would send the ship to a watery grave, the captain killed him to save the ship.
Zarax was the name of the ancient city directly above the port of Geraka that was known at the time to the local people as the "Castle". The ancient historian and traveller Pausanias wrote that the city was built by the hero Zaraka - a descendant of the centaur Carystus. The city eventually gave its name to the municipality.
A number of significant archaeological finds have been made in the ancient city, including a beautiful clay sculpture stunningly similar to the Venus de Milo (most likely the work of a 2nd or 1st century BC sculptor who copied the original sculpture of Aphrodite). The ruins of the perimeterwalls, and the remains of old buildings within them, can be found on the hill to the right of the port entrance.
The city was totally destroyed during Pyrrhus' campaign against Argos and rebuilt again in the reign of Augustus. From 146 BC it belonged to the Peloponnesian League and from 22 BC to the League of Free Laconians. The end of Zarax came with the geological upheavals caused by the earthquakes of 375 BC.
Over time, the natural port of Geraka has been a hiding place for pirates, a naval base for the Byzantines to repel the Syracuses and the property of the Venetians. In classical times this splendid deep water enclave was used to protect and hide fleets from enemy invaders. In those days the port was called "Porto Cadena" because of a chain that was laid across the entrance to stop invaders from entering.
An amazing view of Geraka village can be obtained from the church "The Assumption of the Virgin Mary", from where all the neighbourhoods of Geraka can be seen; Lafkeika, Kritikeika, Andromideika, Pramatareika, Tzortzeika, Tsavaleika, Georgakopouleika.
Today, the port of Geraka is a destination for unforgettable vacations at any time of the year. Travellers can sample food at little tavernas that offer "fish of the day" and can stay at the hotel Porto Cadena.
AGIOS IOANNIS / ΑΓΙΟΣ ΓΙΑΝΝΗΣ
On the main road through Zaraka (between Geraka and
Reihia) is the small village of Agios Ioannis - a small town with distinctive local vegetation of olive and carob trees and traditional houses. On the main road, one of these houses (with overhanging grape vines at the front) operates as a small shop and serves as a reminder of a bygone era.
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REIHEA
/ ΡΕΙΧΙΑ
Rihea is a mountain village built on a plain, surrounded by the Parnonas range, 20 kms from Molai and close to two
beaches. Rihea is unique for two reasons: the shape of the village and the personality of its residents (who are mostly occupied with farming and animal rearing).
Rihotes work hard and are very progressive. Even though many of them emigrated out of Greece due to the difficult circumstances created by the Civil War, they still love their homeland and visit as often as possible.
Isolated for centuries behind the mountain Kouloheras, the residents communicated with the rest of the world through the port of Geraka. There was also a very difficult and dangerous road connecting the village with Molai on the other side of Koulohera, although today the road network has improved greatly and the village can be easily reached from both Molai and Monemvasia.
The history of Rihea goes back to mid-Byzantine times. Around 1350 AD Albanians moved into the area and built small stone houses. Gradually, more people moved into the village from the surrounding areas and the islands of Argosaronikos - mostly merchants, craftsmen and millers. Each family built its own "sitotopi", which was a house surrounded by vine trees, a farm, garden and almond trees. Their children built their own houses next to them and this resulted in small settlements of family clans separated by largeareas of cultured land. Three hundred and eighteen houses still exist today, although the number of permanent residents has fallen (1350 people were documented as living there in the 1940 Census whereas only 548 were documented in the 2001 Census) .
The village is divided into charming neighbourhoods with white-washed and ochre-red houses, named after the founding families who established the first houses.
Riheas' folk museum was founded by Georgios and Panagiota Belesis, with funds and artifacts contributed by Rihotes living in the United States of America, Australia and the local community. The museum contains hand-operated textile machines, hand-carved presses for pressing wine and olives, hand- sewn textiles such as blankets, sheets, table- cloths and beautiful embroideries. Also displayed are traditional hand-made agricultural tools, traditional clothing from an era long gone, weapons, household furniture, cutlery, donkey saddles, animal hides and photographs of Rihotes past and present.
Rihea has two crystal-clear beaches accessible by car: Vlyhada and Balogeri. In summer, tourists from around the world arrive at Vlyhada to relax and cool themselves in the clear cool water, to sunbake on its white pebbles and to listen to the Aegean sea splashing on the pebbles and rocks. The small Castle of Agios Dimitrios (Kastraki) and the church named after the saint are also worth visiting. There is also a gorge called "Rema" and the "Faragi tou Balogeri", which begins as a dried- up riverbed within the village and continues
to the beach of Balogeri (with its breath-taking caves). Travellers in Rihea can also sample traditional foods such as goges and kaltsounia at Vangeli's tavern and purchase tasty local honey originat- ing from thyme plants.
ACHLADOKAMBOS AND LAMBOKAMBOS / ΑΧΛΑΔΟΚΑΜΠΟΣ ΚΑΙ ΛΑΜΠΟΚΑΜΠΟΣ The first village encountered when moving north away from Rihea is Achladokambos - a cultivated plateau
surrounded by mountains.
The church of St Panteleimonas and livestock shelters provide a picturesque backdrop.
Close by and further north is the village of Lambokambos (known under the Turkish occupation as Fregra), with a grove of giant oak trees near the village centre. Lambokambos was once a thriving village, but many residents migrated to America and Australia (before and after the war) and the village gradually emptied. However, emigrants never forgot their homeland and their donations and philanthropy is evident throughout the village.
Exhausted travellers will always find something to eat at Doukas' cafe/tavern - a well- known hangout for hunters.
Kyparissi consists of three settlements: Vrisi, the inland settlement (with no view of the sea), is built at an altitude of 100 metres above sea level, while its two original ports Paralia (built near the pier at the southern part of the village) and Metropolis (built further north) are situated close to the water. The settlement of Kapsala and the small church of Agios Giorgios are located further to the north Thini, with its old jetty and the chapel of St Nicholas, is also further north.
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PISTAMATA / ΠΕΙΣΤΑΜΑΤΑ
Two kilometres further north from Lambokambo, heading towards Kiparissi, is the village of Pistamata. The village's name
is derived from the word "epistamata", meaning a place for travellers to rest. Pistamata has a long history. Ancient coins and clay pottery have been found in the surrounding region and on top of Kotroni Hill are remains of walls dating back to the time of the Pelasgians.
In the fertile valley of the village nestles the well-known "Doukas Vineyard" where excep- tional wine is produced using modern machinery and a variety of grapes. Further information can be obtained by calling +306944 500053.
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HARAKAS / ΧΑΡΑΚΑΣ
The small picturesque village of Haraka, with its stone houses, is built amphitheatrically at an altitude of 600
metres above sea level. One kilometre away to the east is the impressive ravine of Stavros, traversed by a stone-paved path with panoramic views of the Aegean. The mountainous route that connects Harakas and Kyparissi is unique, with panoramic views of the Mirtoon Sea, steep rocks and deep caves. Approximately 500 people arrive at Haraka during the summer months.
Harakas was built during the 9th century A.D. One and a half miles from the village is the chapel of St John Theologos, which once used to be a monastery. On May 8 many pilgrims from the surrounding areas (many of them from the neighbouring islands of Hydra and Spetses) descend on this monastery bearing offerings. Towards the Old Town is the small Byzantine church of Saint Theodore, decorated with beautiful 18th century frescoes.
Emigrants from Haraka have donated generously to their village, including the construction of the town church and school. One noteworthy donation is that of George N. Petrolekas, who lived and worked as a merchant in America for many years. When he died in 1928 the "Petrolekas Institution" was established (based in Piraeus) with funds from his estate, with the objective of distributing the income from the institution to the residents of the village twice a year: at Easter and Christmas.
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KYPARISSI / ΚΥΠΡΑΡΙΣΣΙ
One of the last coastal "paradises" in the Peloponnese, secluded Kyparissi was only recently connected
to the road network of the Peloponnese due to the mountainous terrain. To the north is the road leading out of Zaraka and Laconia to Leonidio in Arcadia. To the south is the road leading to Haraka, which was built with great difficulty. Although this road is very narrow in some sections, it offers breathtaking views of offshore islands, chapels built into overhanging rocks and magnificent foliage.
Time seems to have stood still in the quaint town of Vrisi. Shielded from the onslaught of mass tourism, the crystal clear waters of the beaches lining Kyparissi retain an air of tranquillity. The white-painted houses, mostly built in the mid-19th century, exemplify the traditional architecture of the area. The town has a plentiful supply of water from a spring running through the town and beautiful gardens, orchards and olive trees are everywhere to be seen. Paths lead from Vrisi up into the mountains, around the hills and to the spring which gushes from a crevice in the rock walls several thousand feet above sea level.
Kyparissi is identified with the ancient city of Kyphanta, which is approximately half an hour's walk (1.5km) south of Kiparissi. Although very little is known about the history of Kyphanta, it is thought to have been established sometime between 1600-1100 BC. A new village was built in the area around 1000 AD with the name Kyparissia, from which the modern village of Kyparissi evolved. In 1350 AD the area was populated by Albanians arriving from the north, who were given permission to settle in the area by Theodore Palaeologus. During the Turkish occupation (and encouraged by the Turks) additional settlers arrived from neighbouring areas. It was at that time when the three settlements of Vrisi, Paralia and Mitropolis were formed. The village expanded rapidly with new houses and churches after the revolution of 1821.
Today, there are approximately 370 to 380 year-round residents in Kiparissi, with the population exploding in the summer months. A park, a playing field and beautiful beaches ensure that there is something for everyone.
