* The text spoken by N.E.Marabea, Peripheral Director of 1st and 2nd Grade Education of Peloponnese and director of our newspaper on Sunday 17/05/2009 at Valtetsi during this year’s celebration of the anniversary. It is published in this column, because it includes important information for the contribution of the Maniot troops (and especially that of Elias Tsalafatinos) in this decisive battle for the outcome of the Revolution in 1821.

I want to thank the organizers of this event for the opportunity they gave me to refer in front of so many Arcadians, and not only, distinguished civilians to the beginnings of the Revolution in 1821. To refer to that historical moment during which the vision of freedom was connected to the dire need for war and victory. Only through this course, it could turn into action and bring back our vanished Nation  in the historic scene. The battle, the victory at Valtetsi in May 1821 was the first proof that this vision could become true. And to form in this way, with the creation of the New Hellenic state the conditions for the Renaissance of the Nation.

For every war and victory, there must be the necessary conditions: strategic consideration, experience in arms and common conception of the warriors for the aimed at purpose and outcome. Then, in May 1821, not even two months from the break out of the revolution there were positive features for these conditions, which in their turn led to victory at the battle that took place in this land. And this why.

Kolokotronis who found refuge from Zante at Kardamyli on the 6th January with only 4 comrades, had the necessary strategic view for the outcome of the liberating Struggle. Due to his natural intelligence and due to his services at the foreign armies of Eptanisa and his practice in the secrets of the martial art.

The Maniots headed by their captains being always a polemic nation unsubmissive to the Ottoman ruler for 400 years had full experience in the use of arms, whereas they had the necessary vigorousness to fight at close quarters. The Arcadian Klephts from Leontari and Gortinia were also trained and kept always on the flame of revolution in Southern Taygetus and the mountains of Gortinia.

Close to them, there were the volunteers from the agricultural villages who practiced slowly in arms and learnt not to be afraid of their tyrant. Along with the practice in guns, they formed the conception about the feasibility of the revolution which was reinforced by the sacredness of the goal.

In 15 days, in the middle of the failing first battle of Valtetsi close to the end of April and the second victorious battle of May all these three conditions were rather mature. This is why the outcome can be considered as the fruit of this maturity.  The historians describe its features. The loss of April led the chieftains to the need to appoint a commander in chief. A worthy fighter who would coordinate the polemic troops, the planning and the outcome of the battles but also the administrative concern for the soldiers. Kolokotronis was recognized as the most superior of all, but he didn’t have soldiers. This lack was covered by Delligiannaioi, who at that period put him in charge of all their troops at Karytaina. It didn’t take time for him to be accepted as the chief in command by the other chieftains, considering his leading skills and military knowledge. After the destruction of their barricades by the Ottomans at the first battle of Valtetsi, the fighters started learning how the battles at close quartets take place. For this reason, the new barricades were firmly built and equipped with the adequate materials for defense and attack. Also the encouragement from the leader, the voluntary offer of food from the Arcadians of the neighbouring areas, as well as the gun powder from the mill of Dimitsana gradually built up the belief and realization for the feasibility of the liberating struggle.

The empowerment of the fighters was so important that as it was proven by the result of the battle, they managed to eliminate also the new advantage of the besieged at Tripolitsa. The 2000 experienced warriors headed by the aid-de-camp Kehagiabey, who were sent by Moravalesi Hoursit from Jiannena, who was fighting Ali Pasha, to assist the besieged ones. The new experienced and fighting troops planned the overall destruction of the camp of the attackers, the end of the siege at Tripoli and the change of the course of the revolution. They also counted on the big reinforcement by the cruel fighters who from Bardounohoria at East Taygetus headed by their captain Roubi had in the meantime gone to Tripolitsa. So, it was in Valtetsi  that the luck of the Revolution would be defined. With the victory of the troops and maintenance of the positions, the pincer around the capital of Moreas would get tight and the expansion of the Revolution in the occupied places would take new force. In the opposite case, if the pursuits of the Turks succeeded then the disappointment could become the wreckage of the revolution.

The occupation of the place Valtetsi was really necessary for the progress of the revolution which was connected to the occupation of the capital of Peloponnese. This was because Valtetsi is at the center of this small mountain, on the earthy flat area of 20.000 m2 which is surrounded by cliffs, so the one who has it,  can control all three roads of access: The first that leads south-west to Arahamites and Ntavia, the second the leads to the north and east to Tripoli and the third that leads south to Kalogeriko. With the occupation of these entrances by our warriors Tripoli would suffocate. The suffocation would be complete in combination to the siege by the Greek military camps in Doliana which closed the access to Laconia and Argolida and Levidi which closed the access to Achaia. For the achievement of this military goal, it was decided, with a proposition by Kolokotronis to attempt a second battle at Valtetsi which started on 12th and went on till 13th May.

For this battle, we shall let two of the most disinterested fighters of 1821. The one is Kolokotronis, who is well known and doesn’t need an introduction. The other, who is more modest ( let’s note that he didn’t even accept the rank of the Lieutenant-General, nor 2000 grosia for his services saying “ even though I’m poor, I won’t accept these, because the nation is more poor”) but he was also a fighter, Elias Tsalafatinos from Vytilo.

Kolokotronis in his memoirs narrates his own intervention at the battle from Xrysovitsi, where he organized the movements of the troops and followed the development of the operations, in order to intervene where it would be necessary, whereas at the location of Pianas, Kanellos Deligiannis and Dimitris Plaputas had already camped. The new placement of the Greeks at Veltetsi was recommended by himself with a letter he had written to the other chieftains. This was because, these three locations could help each other in case of Turkish invasion, considering that the camp of Vervena was a bit detached. Let’s observe the small extract that follows: “…we, the 800 enforced the place so that the Truks don’t take the back part…in the evening I’m taking some fighters with me and I’m going to Katarahi, where the Turkish flags were. I went close to them, I fired at them and they fired 4 times – the Greeks at the back didn’t realize- I’ll get you alive, My name is Kolokotronis! -Who? -Kolokotronis! They emptied the place and then we went to Valtetsi, gave them bullets and bread which were the most important for them…”   after the successful outcome, he mentions he made a speech to the fighters and said: “We all must lent to glory that day, which must be celebrated in the centuries because that day was the freedom of the country”.

Elias Tsalafatinos in a narration in 1824, narrates the following: “ At that time, the deceased captain Kyriakoulis (Mavromihalis) at Dervena and we decided to go and meet the deceased Beyzantes (Elias Mavromihalis) who was at Papari and where we thought it was reasonable to go closer, since we met. The deceased Kyriakoulis wanted us to go to a mountain to be right opposite to Dervena, the heroe Beyzantes and I wanted Valtetsi and this is where we went. So we went there Beyzantes and Elias Flessas who was also a heroe.

We took stones and till the evening we had finished with Kyriakoulis’ barricade. At the same time, we divided the barricades. The deceased Beyzantes with his two Flessaious got their own. Whereas Jiannis Beyzantes with Oiko<no>mopoulos and Kefalas took the other and Katzanos with <M>pouraisous took the church. The poor Tzalafatinos, I got  the barricade outside and they gave me the Kalamatianoi, but for my luck one evening before the beginning of the war, seventy-five Leontarites came and immediately, I replaced the Kalamatianoi with them. On the next day, around three o’clock the enemies came. Leontarites are brave, but ignorant and flinched seeing a crowd that came from the back where Kehagias was. So, I swore to them that if anyone wants to go, I would kill him first and I take and put each one in his position and told them to empty half of the guns and fill the other half and if I don’t shoot first and you shouldn’t move. I swear to you the fury of Arvanites up to two hundred and the others took them until they came and put them in our barricades and from inside we took them killing them otherwise I couldn’t find way to cut the fury and showed them the art of the soldiers with the stones and then their fury was cut. The good Greeks, when they learnt the art threw stones around three okas. The rest of the barricades said up to Tzalafatinos’ barricade but they cannot help me because they were all fighting and if God took my barricade may he be sorry of the others. With the sunshine, help came, the deceased Elias with his brother Nikitas.”

In the morning, 12th May, the first Turkish part headed by Tourkovardounioti Roubi moved towards Valtetsi. At the Turks there was the certainty that they would easily destroy the Greek military camp and follow their course to Sinanou (Megalopoli). For this reason, a second Turkish troop went to Arahamites to stop the retreat of the defendants of Valtetsi. Another party moved to the location Kalogerovouni to stop further help from the military camp of Vervena and if necessary to give help to Roubis. The main body of the Turkish army headed by Kehagia Moustafa arrived to location Fragovryso and went to Kandreva (Asea). Btu since the operation at Tabouria wasn’t favorable for the Turks, instead of going to Megalopoli they turned to Valtetsi.

From Chrysovitsi Kolokotronis troop came down and took the location north of Valtetsi opposite Mytropetrova’s barricade. Then, from Piana the troop of Dimitrios Plapoutas-Koliopoulos came to the northeast of the barricades at Valtetsi and all together attacked the back of the Turks. When Kehagiabeys arrived from west to Valtetsi he attacked Kolokotronis, who had to fold back. With the support of side gunshots, finally the barricades stood the all day long attack.

On the second day of the battle, they put canons to attack Elias Mavromihalis barricade but they were not very successful and their gunshots fell on Roubis’ troop. Seeing the Turks that the Greeks became more and more behind them started retreating and their pursuit and humiliation came soon afterwards. The Greek revolution had been definitely established.

With reverence and awe let’s offer our own contribution as memorial of gratitude. A contribution which will be based on the construction, on the peaceful times of today, of the same conditions that led to that victory:

Strategic consideration of the facts in the era of globalization, achievement of experience and common effort for the development of the peaceful works of our times and common perception of the civilians for the goals and the results which are aimed at by our national assertions.

On the 28th March 1821, 400 Maniot soldiers arrived outside the castle of Monemvasia headed by Pierrakos Grigorakis, Dimitrios Tsigourakos Grigorakis and Tzanetakis Grigorakis. Soon afterwards, 250 Tsakoniats arrived from Leonidio Kynouria. As soon as they appeared many other Greeks that lived in the County of Monemvasia banded together outside the castle.

The first battle was fought after the exit of the besieged in three directions, one to Sykia, one to Foiniki and one to Agios Nicolaos Monemvasia. When the Muslims realized that the Greeks got rid of the feeling of the non fighting Christians and came with an air of confidence they retreated with 4 dead and 7 wounded, whereas the Greeks had only 1 dead. Although they had already arrived to the castle, since 22nd March, and were locked inside along with compatriot warriors Tourkobardouniotes (with their 60 families), they were afraid because of the arrival of the ship at Gythion, as they thought it carried ammunition for the Greeks. After  them and the rest of the Muslims from the villages of the County of Monemvasialocked up themselves at the castle. The siege went on steadily which forced the enclosed ones to cut the bridge that led to the rock of the castle, whereas the besiegers increased in numbers after the arrival of other Maniots and Tsakonians. 4 ships joined the siege, 3 from Spetses and 1 from Gythion that belonged to Panagiotis Mavrommatis Vouzounaras.

The besieged that exceeded the 4000, soon due to tightness of the siege that didn’t allow them to move to the villages of the area for replenishment suffered from hunger. After the disappointment because of not getting military help, prompted by the Greek notable Panagiotis Kalogeras that was there with them at the castle, they demanded to surrender the castle and the city to representative of the Greek Administration. After the proposition of Dimitrios Ypsilantis, they sent A. Katakouzinos who signed the treaty of surrender (23 July 1821) according to which the besieged ones were transferred by two Spetsian ships to Smyrna.

There were only 750 of them left from the 4000. In the appendixes two documents are published relative to this siege. The first refers to the conditions that existed at the Maniot military camp at the beginning of the siege and the second to the agreement for distribution of the loots during the imminent fall of Monemvasia.

APPENDIX 1

LAUNCH OF THE SIEGE OF MONEMVASIA BY THE MANIOTS

To the kindest Antonbey Jiorgakis and captain Mihalis, captain Jeorgakis, mister Anagnotis Maltzinis, I humbly embrace you. First of all, we are concerned about your health and wish you to be in good health. For this reason, we make known to you that everything here is like it used to be. We have them locked up. We bombard them and they bombard us. All the intercessions and speeches have ceased since yesterday. On Saturday night, they hired 8 ships and went … as you have written but still they haven’t appeared (…) we saw you had written that two ships came and that they had wheat thousand 9, powder, rusks, butter and lentils, as well as money and other stuff ships have, as it is known. We let you know in order to think also about your self, all the relatives that are here. Here in Monemvasia, with almost hundred fifty men left we keep locked up 800 and this is something to think about. We have decided, though, to pour our blood like the old Spartans and we don’t carry a burden, although we see an indifference from all the country. And mostly from the relatives. Let’s leave out the lice, bad food, bad sleep, cold, rains and many other. Since everyday we run to guard and if we don’t go alone, nobody goes; how many caresses and flattering and promises we make and keep them till now or they would have gone (…) and they are not to blame and we thank them for cherishing and staying with us. Well, we don’t know until when we can keep it up.

Well this (…) when God sent (…) good Government (……)

(left margin):

We write so that you can send as many men as possible. Please send canon bombs because the ships don’t have and this is very bad, which you will send along with the men as well as tobacco which useful men here smoke…

From the book Ap. Daskalakis (archive Tzortzakis-Grigorakis)

APPENDIX 2

THE BESIEGERS OF MONEMVASIA AGREE ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE LOOT

Today, all the present ones at the siege of Monemvasia, we make known that all those who decide to sacrifice themselves for the freedom of the nation and occupation of the castle by guns, Spartans, Elotes and Prastiotes, all those who are registered by name at the list of every company and also those who want to subscribe until the fifteenth of the current May, we all become brothers ending our case with the strength of God to distribute like brothers big and young, according to the laws the hostile mobile things and estate, that is to say Turkish from Monovasia up to the borders of Trinisos and Vrontamas without asking any more from each other, but equally like brothers. So, all with our good will, we decided that without a necessary job and with a general thought, nobody leaves for the country or the neighboring villages or even to touch any of the slightest things but with courage and bravery to be here until the end of our situation. For this reason, we point out that anyone of us who wants to deviate from the following agreement may be cursed by Christ and Holy Mary and to treated by the brotherhood and the generation as a traitor of the country and violator of the law and to change his sacred name from Greek and to be banished for ever. And so, writing this, we one copy each, as a proof and security of the time of judgment and sign.

1821 May 3, Bridge of Monemvasia.

From the book Ap. Daskalakis (archive Tzortzakis-Grigorakis)

The byzantine emperor Manuel, already since 1420, had distributed the territory of his empire among his seven sons… Ioannis was the successor in Constantinople, Theodoros bishop of Pelopponese, the center being Mystras and ruler of those areas which were part of the byzantine empire (the rest of the areas belonged to the Frankish principality of Moreas or Venice), Adronikos ruled in Thessaly (and Thessaloniki), Constantinos got in the first hand, the area of Euxinos and the other three who were underage got areas after the coming of age. The resignation of Theodoros whose intention was to become a monk and the surrender of his administrative area to Andronikos’ son, who had the same name, and, in the meantime, lost his administrative area, as it was occupied by the Turks, as well as the liberation by Constantinos of many areas of Peloponnese from the remnants of the Frankish rule altered the areas of distribution. The last decade, before the enslavement to the Turks, from the brothers, Ioannis ruled in Constantinople, Constantinos and Thomas had shared the areas of Peloponnese and Dimitrios along with Andreas ruled small areas in the suburbs of Constantinople. After Ioannis death and the enthronement of Constantinos his administrative area in Peloponnese was given to his brother Dimitrios, whereas Thomas kept his own administrative areas.

In February 1424, after the death of the emperor of Byzantium, Manuel, he was succeeded by his first son Ioannis. The last one signed a treaty with the sultan Murat II, the father of the later ruler of Constantinople to which it was foreseen the definite surrender to the Turks of the occupied by them areas in Macedonia and Thrace as well as the payment by the emperor of Byzantium of high tribute.

Muratt in December 1446, campaigned to Peloponnese which at that time with the initiatives and military actions of the bishop Constantinos had become part of the domain of Palaiologos. After the invasion he occupied the wall that Constantinos had erected at Isthmos and occupied the majority of the areas of Corinth and Achaia. After the unsuccessful attempt of occupation of Patras they signed peace by which Peloponnese would pay tribute to the Turks.

In 1450, after the death of the emperor Ioannis and with the consent of Muratt, Constantinos went on the throne where from he descended dead three years later while fighting at the walls of Constantinople against Moameth B, the heir of Murat who had passed away the same year as the emperor Ioannis.

In October 1458, Moameth who was in Athens that had been surrendered to the head of the Turkish troops Omar, son of Tourouhan Bey, sent messengers to the bishops of Peloponnese to vow for the peace that had been agreed and asked the hand of Dimitrios daughter. The bishops agreed so that they gave the North Peloponnese (Corinth and Achaia) to Moameth. After three months, the brothers Dimitrios and Thomas started a civil war for the redistribution of the rest of the part of Peloponnese. Amongst the hostilities is the siege by Thomas of Zarnata and Kalamata which belonged to Dimitrios and from the last one Leontari and Akova which belonged to Thomas. After many battles against each other, to which the Albanians of Peloponnese allied once with the one and once with the other and the occupation of Leontari by Dimitrios with the contribution of the Turk pasha Xamza who was in Omar’s place, they made peace. The turmoils and conflicts led Moameth who was in military operations at Skopia to replace the Turk Pasha Xamza with Sagano Pasha. The last one invaded Peloponnese and scattered the troops of the two brothers who started again the conflicts between them. Thomas occupied many areas in Messinia and Laconia and invaded Kalamata. Following he asked for a meeting with the Sultan but there was no agreement as he didn’t have the possibility to pay the tax asked by the last one. For this reason, Moameth invaded again Peloponnese in April 1460. Dimitrios came back to the camp of the Sultan, surrendered Mystras in exchange of the future incomes that would come from other areas. The sultan then occupied Kastritsi (today Kastori), Liontari and Gardiki in North Taygetus and cruelly massacred the defendants over there. The news disturbed the byzantine masters of the other castles   and led them to thoughts of surrender. Thomas in the mean time with his family escaped to Kalamata wherefrom with a ship he arrived to Corfu. The sultan after the successful outcome of the operation in North Taygetus arrived to West Peloponnese and occupied the ports Navarino (Pylos) and Arcadia (Kyparissia) and transferred the inhabitants to Constantinople to live there whereas he sent to the east side of Peloponnese Isa, the grandson of Evrenos Pasha who had before decades leaded the invasion of the first Turkish troops to Peloponnese, in order to occupy Monemvasia and to take the wife and the daughter of Dimitrios who were there. The guard of Monemvasia Nicolaos Palaiologos handed the women but not the town. The sultan ordered Saganos Pasha to occupy the rest of the castles of the area, whereas he spied the ports of Methoni and Koroni which belonged to the Venetians and with landings he captured the inhabitants of those areas. Following he headed North and occupied Egio, Kalavryta, Karytaina and Salmeniko. Due to the difficulty to occupy the last castle and the violation of the terms of his surrender, the Sultan replaced Sagano Pasha and brought back to his place Xamza. Form the two bishop brothers Dimitrios who had signed a treaty with Moameth got from him as an honour and residence the town Aino (peninsula of Kallipoli). Thomas from Corfu sent an ambassador (the lord Ralli) to the Sultan and proposed him to get East Peloponnese. His proposition was not accepted and that’s why he left for Italy taking with him the head of saint Andreas. Monemvasia was an object for exchange of Thomas with the Pope and finally it was given by him to the Venetians.

So, in 1460 seven years after the occupation of Constantinople there was the occupation of Peloponnese by the sultan apart from the ports that were occupied by the Venetians. During the campaign there was increased cruelty (hangings, beheadings, physical tortures of fighters and civilians, fires and depopulation of villages and castles) in the military operations.

In spring 1463, Venice declared war to Turkey. The reason was the non surrendering of the servant of Pasha in Athens who left with stolen goods of his master and found refuge to Methoni. Then there was the intrusion of the governor of Peloponnese Isa Pasha, grandson of Ebrenos in Argos and Omar the son of Touraxan in Naupakto, whereas other troops looted Methoni. Then, the inhabitants of the areas of Peloponnese amongst which Sparte and Tainaro rebelled against the sultan after the agreement with the Venetians. The hostilities went on until Isthmos and generally in north and central Peloponnese with the advance through Istmos of Mahmud Pasha. And again with cruelties there was attempted the return of the rebellions to the Turkish rule. The following year the leadership of the military troops was given by the Venetians to the Italian nobleman Sigimundo Malatesta, who besieged the castle of Mystras and occupied the external wall but not the acropolis. The new governor of the Venetian troops Jacobs Varvarigos moved to Patras where he was defeated, imprisoned and butchered whereas his army was moved to Kalamata where he was again defeated. The polemic condition with reduced region of hostilities and moving in space lasted for many years since there was in the meantime a treaty of Venice with the kingdom of Neapoli and the Pope for the constitution of a crusade for the common confrontation of the Ottoman threat in Europe.

On the 26th January 1479 there was signed in Constantinople a treaty amongst Moameth and Venice with a special representative the secretary Ioannis Dorios). With this treaty Venice gave to the Sultan Skodra, Kroia and other Albanian towns and also the mountain areas of Xeimmara and Mani.

All the scattered information about the period from 1463 (maybe earlier) up to 1479, lead to the conclusion that the area of Mani was at that period under the Venetian rule, whereas many politicians and military representatives lived there; their names are mentioned in the Venetians files. However, according to the law and the political administration of each area there were also inhabitants that took part. The locals also took part in military operations of that period against the Turks both in the area of Taygetus and Peloponnese, in general. The participants in the politics and in the relevant political council under the Venetian governor were the so called elders. It seems that these places were taken by the members of the empire family of Trapezounta which at that period had arrived to Oitylo*. Anyway, the military operations of that period also consist of the heroic battles of Krokodeilos Kladas and many other inhabitants of the area in central Peloponnese and finally Mikri Kastania of Taygetus. The disappointment of Kladas for the treaty of surrendering Mani to the Turks resulted to his escape along with many compatriots to Eptanisa where they stayed under Venetian rule. Many of these took part later with bravery and courage to the wars of Venice against the Germans in Italian ground with the name stradiotti (these events were presented in the issue 9-December 1999 of our newspaper).

*Addition to the subject we had mentioned in the issue 128-November 2009.

1. The monastery of Komninos Stefanopoulos family (Tsigou monastery)

We have already narrated the arrival of Nikiforos Komninos, the son of the last leader in Trapezounta David B’ in Oitylo after the fall of Constantinople by the Ottomans, his acceptance by the locals and his appointment as the Head of the community. Also the battles he and his descendants fought against the Ottomans when the last ones attempted to threaten the freedom of the people of Oitylo. One of these assaults that was repelled in 1537 lasted for two days on the 7 and 8 September at the location “louria and Kaisari”. The Head of the community Stefanos Komninos who coordinated the resistance of Oitylo, promised to Holy Mother the erection of a temple in his land, the one which is now called monastery Tsigou.

The monastery was in prosperity even after the immigration of the most of Stefanopoulos families in 1675 to Corsica and was under the supervision of those who remained in the area of Oitylo. Relevant is the text by the scholar Ath. Petridis published by the fortnight “Pandora” in Athens almost 150 years before (we have republished it in one of the above mentioned issues of our newspaper). According to this text in 18th century the monastery of Tsigou had wealth and operated as a loan bank for the locals. It seems that the monastery exploited the land owned by Komninos-Stefanopoulos family who had immigrated, which led to the accumulation of increased financial income with the collection and trade of their products.

There is also recorded the dispute between the parish of Oitylo and the descendants of Komninos-Stefanopoulos  who didn’t immigrate about the ownership of the land after the foundation of the new Hellenic state and the application of the law that was established at that time for the confiscation of the land of the ruined monasteries.

The fact that some of the  members or branches of the Family of Komninos-Stefanopoulos remained in Oitylo results also from the documents below dated in periods over one hundred years after the immigration of their relatives to Corsica. They are included in the following appendix.

APPENDIX OF SCRIPTURES AND TEXTS

1. The scripture on a column at the north side of the holy church in Oiltyo honored by the name “The Assumption of Virgin Mary” is as:

“It is erected and renovated this holy Temple of Holy Mother with the expenses, effort and contribution of the men and honorable lords and protectors of all those who live in this country. So that Holy Mother protects and helps men and women and children and so that the names Stefanopoulos of the three brothers are obeyed  and we the slaves amen” by the 1775 Nicolaos Didaskalos from Lagada and Esaias monk from Nomitsi and Panagiotis from Lagada.”

2. “1697 February 23, Oitylo”

“We made accounts with my best man mister Dimitris Skloufas and from all our calculations I still owe him 400 rialia which I must give back until Saint Elias coming name day. After this we work together to pick pines for senior Tomenego in order to sell it to him and the difference we share it. We made this agreement and with faith to truth we sign”

“Captain Mihalakis Stefanopoulos certifies the above, Dimitrios Skloufos certifies the above”

3. “1695 month December 19, Vytilo”

“Drakos Arxoulisis declares I have borrowed from captain Mixalakis Stefanopoulos 10 rialia because of friendship which I will turn back whenever I please and in faith to the truth and confidence I asked my uncle Menoudos since I cannot write and he changed my confession among good men.

“And I Elias Liantikatis declare the above”

“Menoudos Stefanopoulos wrote the present document and declare the above”

Diaries of captain Michael Stefanopoulos

4. “1695 January 4. Reminder of all the whites I give to captain Panagiotis Gerakaris Stefanopoulos”

“I gave him fifteen ducats and eight more and I still have a pair of silver knives, I also gave him when we were in Anapli fifteen ducats, in order to pay a merchant from Kalamata, then I gave him at Anapli eight ducats for Gasparis and then five and a half ducats to pay the workers who built the bell tower and one and a half ducat when his lad came to the sea to buy fish then to Anapli one scarf, the above white ducats are 53 and 1/2 and there is still for the above calpack velvet riali 1”

Other of the same

* We shall express our views about the institution of the Head of the community in Mani

1. The dwelling of Medikos-Giatrakos family in Oitylo and their empowerment

The historian of the fall of Constantinople, Jeorgios Frantzis in ΧΡΟΝΙΚΟ, a book he had written in the last years of his life, presents important information about the area of the Messinian Bay and the dominion of the Byzantine lords (quotation in Appendix I). In particular, he mentions that the area of the Messinian bay belonged to the general Nikiforos Melissinos, one of the most important Byzantine lords, who before his death appointed as guardian of his underage son the Bishop of Mystras Theodoros. The last one, due to his intention to take monastic vows, passed on the guardianship to his brother who was also a Bishop at that time and later became the last Emperor, Constantinos.

In those areas, there were members of the family of Melissinos who were also taking part in their administration. The primary dominion of Melissinos family in the areas of Mani (Oitylo, Leuktro-Proastio, Zarnata) is connected to the occupation of the castles at the Messinian bay that were occupied by the remaining Franks in the first years of 15th century. The Byzantine dominion in the areas of the Messinian bay changed commissar and Constantinos Palaiologos, who exercised the administration for some years through Jeorgios Frantzis, who had engaged his underage daughter to the master of the place Nikolaos Melissinos, passed it on to his brother Thomas, after his ascend to the throne of Constantinople. The grown up now Nicolaos Melissinos after the occupation of Constantinople and the invasion of the Ottomans to Peloponnese abandoned the area to his relatives and escaped to Eptanisa and then to Crete.

Maria, the sister of the above mentioned Nikiforos Melissinos was the wife of the duke of Athens Antonios Atzagiolis; the duchy had been bought from the Catalan rulers by this family. In the jurisdiction of the duchy was amongst other areas, Nauplio and the east coastal area of Peloponnese which was the dowry of Maria Melissini. Anyway, a branch of Medikos family in Florence that lived in Athens, took part in the financial administration of the duchy on behalf of the Catalans. Members of the family kept on occupying high posts in Athens as well as in Nauplio and the east Pelooponnese. One of them, in fact, Pierros Medicos of Athens had taken the place of the governor and general captain of Nauplio. Members of Medicos family got married to Greek women and became Greek acquiring also translated names such as Iatros, Giatros, Iatropoulos, Giatrakos.

From the above mentioned fragmentary historical information results the dwelling of Medikos family to the areas of the east side of the Messinian bay and of course Oitylo which was of great importance since it had important administrative and military posts, from the beginning of the 15th century and before the fall of Constantinople and Mystras by the Ottomans.

Probative evidence of the power of Medikos family from Oitylo is the letter-call for help which was sent to the Pope of Rome Grigorios XIII by representatives of Mani in 1582 amongst whom Nicolaos Iatros is also mentioned (Appendix II).

Appendix I:

Jeorgios Sfrantzis: ΧΡΟΝΙΚΟΝ. VOLUME B.2

…the Bishop Theodoros gave to his brother Bishop Constantinos the other part of Taygetus that is the castle and area of Peloponnese Lefktron Maini and all the occupied areas up to Pylos, Oitylo and the free Zarnata castle and Gastitza and Dioasiston and Mele, Dyrrahion and Polianoun and the surrounding areas. And he gave to him the towns and castles at the Messinian bay. All these were ruled by Nikiforos Mellisinos. The reason of this offer to the bishop Theodoros was: Nikiforos Melissinos had a son named Nicolaos which was christened by bishop Theodoros. When he went to the monastery the son was three years old; he made a will and named Theodoros as the guardian of the child and all his land and money and declared that if his son dies without descendants then all his belongings towns and counties and castles pass on to the bishop Theodoros both those in and out of Peloponnese.

Appendix II:

“August 5”

“honourable and worthy Pope of Rome and high priest and Christian; we kneel before you, we the Maniots, every one, young and old priests and elders and we kneel before your kingdom ; and write for your kingdom and send the wishes of the first priest with the child whose father is the governor all over Mani. Or of three hundred villages and sixty counties. In order to tell you things about God and all Christianity; and we plead to your kingdom to write to the king: because now we can take Morea back; and condemn the big ruler. If you knew how to find six thousand lads that serve you outside Morea; where there is help from your kingdom, there is help from us the Maniots”. “I Kalapothos Foukas agree with the above”. Nicolas Diatros agree with the above written letter” “I, the priest Xrisospathis declare the above written” “I Kostatis o Niklo agree with the above written letter” “I, Tzilidinis Abelourgos agree with the above written” “I Thodoris Kontostavlos agree with the above written” “I Protopapas Mouriskos of Mani sign with my own hand”

The signatures were handwritten and out of the letter there is the note:

“honourable pope of Rome global king and bishop of Christianity”

“to Rome”

The ship with the guns from Smyrna

The driving force for the launch of the Revolution was the distribution of arms to those who would take part in the revolt. For this reason, the Friends’ Society arranged both the supply and transfer of arms by ship to Kardamyli (Skardamoula). Coordinator of this action in communication with the Friends of Smyrna was the Friend Archimadrite Grigoris Dikaios (Papaflessas). Actually, the ship arrived in Kardamyli on 17th March and immediately, they informed at the Mardaki monastery (in Nedousa, Alagonia) Anagnostaras and Nikitaras to receive part of the arms and to distribute them according to the orders of the Friends’ Society. The load would be transferred by 200 armed men with 250 animals  which would carry the military material. The ship was guarded by Maniots headed by Ioannis Katsis Mavromihalis, the brother of Petrobey, who was contacted by the chieftains for the transfer of the arms on the animals. He asked, though, for a written order by his brother who was in the neighbouring Kitries, so the chieftains asked him to write on a simple piece of paper to the guards of the arms to give him a small quantity of powder and lead in order to fill their gun cases. However, due to the illiteracy of the guards they were given the right to take as much weaponry as they and their animals could carry through Jiannitsa (Elaioxorio) to Mardaki Monastery, inside Taygetus where it was considered to be a safe place. Nevertheless, there was still left on the ship the fourfold quantity from the one loaded for Mardaki for the equipment of the Maniots.

Restlessness at the Ottoman officials of Kalamata

This is what happened in the night of 18th March and at dawn and the transporters hadn’t crossed yet the area close to Kalamata so as to become visible. The Ottoman chief of Kalamata, who saw the large number of animals and realized the escort of armed men, wanted to know what was happening. The information given to him by the people under his service was that the animals carried oil whereas the armed men who accompanied them had taken measures for any possible attack from robbers. He wasn’t reassured by the explanations, so he prepared his departure from Kalamata with only a few guards and those who had the public authority in the area. Forerunner of this departure an Ottoman called Murat, tried to leave independently with his family. After he disobeyed Nikitaras’ order, who with 200 armed men guarded the road to Tripoli via Thouria, to stop, he died on the field. When the chief found out about it locked himself on 21st March in his fortress along with his guard.

Accepting the proposition of the Friends’ Society expressed by Papaflessas for the launch of the revolution on 25th March, Panagiotis Mourtzinos and Theodoros Kolokotronis who was hosted by him in Kardamyli, Anagnostaras, Papaflessas, Panagiotis Kefalas, Petrobey Mavromihalis’ sons with his brother Ioannis (Katsis) and 2000 armed men all arrived in Kalamata on 22nd March. The night of the 22nd and 23rd March, 5000 Maniots headed by Panagouleas, Galanis and Athanasoulis from Koumoundourakis family, Dimitrios Kalamas, Adreas Koumoundourakis, Antonios Michael Troupakis, Dimitrios Konstantineas, Stavrianos and Jeorgios Kapetanakis, Christeas, Kyvelos, Kitriniarides, Dimitrios Poulikakos, Lazaros Tsolakis, Theodors Mesiklis, Sasarianoi, Dimitrios Karakitsos, Theodoros Krenidis and Panagiotis Xanthos Giatrakos, all came to Kalamata. Also many others from Messini, Androusiani and Garantzei with Mitropetrova, Oikonomopoulos and Emmanouil Dariotis, Pisinochorites and Sampaziotes from Leontari.

The first contact of the Ottomans with the chieftains

When the chief found out about the entrance of the chieftains with their troops in the city, he ordered Bouloukbasi (political commander) whose name was Kokkinis to go to the camps of the chieftains and to ask for explanation for the collection of troops. They offered him just a simple chair and gave him the speech. He said: “Agha sends his greetings and wants to know what is this you are doing. With these actions you will miss the generosity of the Sultan and there won’t be a good outcome”. Nikitaras who was sitting close to him prepared his gun, but Theodoros Kolokotronis rushed and said to the Ottoman officer, “Bouloukbasi come close to me so as to listen what you’re saying”. After he sat close to him, Petrobeys Mavromihalis took the speech and said: “ We listened to what you said on behalf of your agha. What you see is not klepht work, but the real things; and they are not just ours but also of God and the kings. Because the Greeks have suffered till now from your tyrannies and tortures. We are not like you, though, tyrants and persecutors of humanity and we will not touch you. But you can stay at your houses and your business undisturbed and give two coins for each family per year and no cold wind will hit you.” Anagnostaras went on: “Go to your agha and tell him what we told you and within three hours we want you to surrender your arms, because if you disobey we will take your heads off with the swords and then it will be your fault.”

The surrender of the guns and the town

After realizing that any resistance would be hopeless, the Ottomans notified the Greeks that they surrender in their honour, faith and bravery. The acquisition and recording of the guns and the rest of the mobile things was done by an eight-member group of chieftains, whereas the Ottomans of Kalamata were divided in 4 buildings wherefrom, after a few days they were transferred to Mani and towns of Messinia. The guns were distributed to those who were unarmed, whereas the supplies were sealed up in the warehouses to be used for the troops.

After the surrender of the Ottomans as well as the chief of the city and the area Suleiman Agha Arnaoutoglou, the next day the chieftains called the clergy of the area, which consisted of 24 priests and monks to say the doxology. The doxology and pray for the launch of the struggle for the faith and the country were chanted with tears of joy and satisfaction by 6000 soldiers, civilians and also women and children who were gathered at the river bed of the city.

The declaration of the Independence of United States of America, which was until then the colony of the English Crown, preceded the Greek Revolution of 1821, for about four decades. The new state of America, during its organizational process, borrowed a lot of features from Ancient Greek Republic and was fond of Greek civilization and also of the enslaved to the Ottoman Empire Greeks. They were so sympathetic that at the American Congress, they put the issue of establishing the Greek language as the official language of the state. The proposition was not adopted for just a few votes. Anyway, there was in United States of America a small but dynamic Community of colonists of Greek origin that used to state the Greek rights to the present government of USA.

It is obvious, then, that, under these circumstances, the Greek revolutionaries even from their first steps to freedom, they would think to ask for the help of the young American democracy. So, there is the text of the Messinian Senate signed by the Commander in Chief Petros Mavromihalis, Petrobeys. It was written almost at the same time of the “Plea to the European Courts” which is more known. Therefore, we bring it back to publicity in order to inform our readers about this important document. The plea was followed by an important wave of friends of Greece, both in financially and fighting which has been analytically recorded by the historians of the Revolution in 1821.

THE PROCLAMATION BY P. MAVROMIHALIS TO THE AMERICANS

By Petroby Mavromihalis, under the status of the commander in chief and President of  “Messinian Senate in Kalamata” it was sent to Adamantios Korais in Paris the below proclamation to the Americans. Korais rushed into translating it and sending a translated copy  and the original to the famous American and friend of Greece Ed. Everett, professor of the ancient Greek literature at Harvard University, journalist and senator and governor of Massachusetts State. Everett published the letter translated in the American newspapers; the publication moved the enthusiasm of the American public opinion, which took part in the development of a wave of sympathies for the Greek struggle  in America. The Greek original text was published by the North American Review, October 1823 and from this publication we know the following.

Korais had delivered copies to the American Embassy in Paris to be forwarded to Washington but these were not found. The letter of Korais to Everett is dated  back to 27 June 1821, whereas the published text in the American newspapers of the proclamation in 25 May 1821. Already from this period, as soon as it was published by the American newspapers, doubts were expressed, concerning the originality, by some European newspapers, which implied that this was made up in Paris by Korais and his surrounding. Then, Korais rushed in publishing a certificate that the proclamation was really sent to him to him by Petrobeys in order to be forwarded to USA. Anyway, this text was not found in Greece and it is only known by the publication by Everett to whom it was sent by Korais. (see extensive reference on this subject at Ap. Daskalakis book Korais and the freedom of Greece, page. 470).

Proclamation to the Americans by the Messinian Senate of Kalamata and the commander in chief Petros Mavromihalis

Since we decided to live or die for freedom we turn to you because of sincere likeness; because freedom chose to live at your place, which is worshiped by you as it was worshipped by our fathers. For this reason, in her name, we turn to you having the belief that if we imitate you we will imitate our ancestors and be worthy to them if we become like you.

Your virtues, Americans, take us close to you, although we are separated by vast sea. We think of you of being closer than the neighbouring to us states and consider you to be our friends and brothers because you are righteous, benevolent and brave because you follow the gospel. Your freedom is not based on the slavery of other nations, nor your prosperity on foreign disasters and troubles; but on the contrary and, since you live happily, you wish all people to take part in these virtues and enjoy all the rights nature gave to everybody. You were the first to announce these rights and then again you were the first to respect them by giving rights to the poor Africans. According to your example, Europe stopped the inhuman and cruel procuring and is taught to be righteous and learns how to stop wrong and mortal habits. This glory, Americans, belongs only to you and puts you on top of all the known free nations to follow the law.

It’s your duty, men, to help us purify Greece from the barbarians who infected the nation for four hundred years. It would be worthy of you to pay the debt of the civilized people, to cast away tyranny from their country of arts and freedom. You don’t want to imitate the condemned indifference or long-lasting ungratefulness of some Europeans. No, the people of Gulielm Penn, Washington and Franklin doesn’t want to deny help to the ancestors of Fokionos, Thrasivoulos, Aratos, Filopoimenos. You have shown already to them honour and trust by sending your children to their schools. You know how they welcomed them with grace and good care. But if they did this being enslaved, imagine with how much friendship and ardour they want to treat you if with your help you break their chains? Hellas then, will give you profits which you would wait in vain from wild  and blind rulers. The bonds of brotherhood and gratefulness which will unit Greeks and Americans for ever. Our interests are such, so as to make stronger the alliance to each other based on freedom and virtue.

By the name of the Senate of Messinia in Kalamata

Petros Mavromihalis, commander in chief.

Location – History – Monuments: The Municipal Region of Doli includes the villages Ano Doli and Kato Doli, Kitries and Kalianeika. Taking the road of Kalamata – Mikri Mantinia – Avia – Kitries – Kalianeika brings you to Doli. The reddish, dry land impresses the traveller. There is lush vegetation in some places and little in others.

Also the small Byzantine churches, built between the 11th and 14th century are very impressive. Aghios Nikolaos is the oldest church in the area. Aghia Paraskevi church, which has a double dome, Prophetes Elias church, Aghia Triada church, the Monastery of Aghios Nikitas and Aghios Vasileios church  at the center of Kato Doli are magnificent examples of the Byzantine architecture.

The area of Doli has many Neolithic and Prehistoric findings. Particularly, at the cave which is situated at the North East of the mountain Aghios Georgios at the position KotoulasΣ Neolithic as well as Protohelladika (Pre-hellenic) fragments of pottery.

Kitries, the small fishing port used to be the basis of Mani Beides (local rulers).

Five out of the eight Beides had Kitries as their basis from time to time; it was here that the pre-Revolution meetings took place. On the 8th March 1821 there was an Assembly of the Mani leaders of warriors and local rulers (Prokriti) where the War Committee of the Revolution was elected. The Tower of  Sarava is predominant at Ano Doli.

Population – Occupation:  The Municipal Region of Doli numbers 375 residents (census of 1991).

The main occupation of the residents is agriculture (olive-picking), home cattle breeding and fishing.

Transport – Roads – Rural roads: Doli has one bus a day from and to Kalamata while Kalianeika has a bus once a week.

Kitries has five buses a day during winter but has more buses in summer due to tourism.

The main road goes through populated areas, has many turns and is narrow at many parts. The area has 80% rural roads and 50% of them are in satisfactory condition.

The port: The port of Kitries is small and certain works need to be done for the protection of the boats from storms during wintertime.

The Municipality hopes that the projects and studies for the protection and restoration of the port will be applied to solve one of the main problems of the area.

Sewage Biocleaning: Kitries have a beautiful beach that has to be kept clean. One of the prompt priorities of the Municipality of Avia is the processing of the sewage waste of seaside resorts.

Water supply: The lack of water during summer months is a serious problem. It can be solved with the joining of the water pipes with the water supply system of Kalamata.

Public places – Cemetaries: There is not enough parking space, particularly during summer months.

The Doli cemetery covers the needs of the village. Kitries cemetary, though, needs to be transferred to another place because it is situated at a densely populated, touristic area.

Olive-oil Cooperative: Doli Cooperative is one of the first Cooperatives in Greece. It numbers 180 farmers and its financial status is very good.

Education – Culture: There is a one-position Elementary school at Doli with 15 students.

There is a very active Cultural Association that tries to bring together its members. It organizes festivals and cares for the development of local enterprises.

A few days ago there was the official presentation of the Lykourgos CaveΣ at a Kalamata Hotel. The original decorations of its interior, with very beautiful white, pink and red stalagmites and stalactites make it one of the best in Greece.

We hope that its exploration will be over soon, so that its utilization will begin soon.

Antonis Roumaneas

Tzeria and Kalives, Xechori, Skardamoula / Prastion and Liasinova and the whole Saidona / Are situated at the apron of Far away Elias.                                                                                                                                                                                                               Nikitas Nifakis

Location – History – Monuments: The Municipal region of Exochori includes five villages; Chora, Kolymbetseika, Xechori, Pripitsa and Nikovo. It was called Androuvitsa until 1932. Since then it has been called Exochori, taking the name of the central village.

It is situated at a distance of eight kilometres from the main road Kardamyli – Areopolis at a height of 500 metres.

It was the shire town of the Diocese until 1833 when it became part of the Diocese and Kapetaneia of Kardamyli. Some of the Beides were Tzanis Koutifaris, Michael Troupakis, Panagiotis Bahlebas Troupakis, his son Michael Panagiotis who got the nickname Mourtzinos, Dionisios Troupakis Mourtzinos and Alexandros Kitriniaris.

It was also a shelter of Kleftes and Armatoli (fighters for the Revolution). It is here that Kapetan Zacharias gathers his troops and Theodoros Kolokotronis confers with the Kapetanei of Androuvitsa and Kardamyli as regards the organization of the Revolution of 1821.

The Religious feelings of the residents are expressed is evident through the many churches, more than a hundred. Some of them are in good condition, the rest have either been in ruins or have been completely destroyed by the decay or humans. Aghii Theodori Church was the Metropolitan Church. Aghios Nikolaos church is a stone church with interior marble built-in inscriptions and an ancient signed inscription on the Altar, which has been transferred to Benakeio Museum of Kalamata. It is of a great historical and archeological value.

Taxiarchis church, Aghia Sophia, Prophetes Elias church, Aghios Demetrios church, the church of Sotiros, the Assumption church are fine samples of Byzantine architecture and Art. The church of Sotiros belongs to the Mega Spileo Monastery. It is celebrated on 6th August. There is a manuscript of the Holy Testament, which is believed to be a manuscript of  Evangelist Lukas.

There are also many other notable preserved monuments of the 17th and 18th century. These are the Towers of Fasseas, Kitriniaris, Patriarcheas, Prokopeas, Zerveas and Kourtsounioti. These monuments consist a world treasure, cultural as well as natural inheritance. They need to be protected or else they will be lost forever within the next decades.

Population – Occupation: The Municipal region of Exochori numbers 394 residents (census 1991). Their basic occupation is agriculture (olive-picking) and home cattle breeding.

A few months ago a hotel was founded with the donation of Alexandra Tambourea. Its purpose is to be used as a tourist resort. The building works, though, proceed very slowly since the skeleton of the building has not finished. Such delay cannot be justified since the funds needed are available. We will be watching the proceedings of  the works and will deal with it again in a next issue, if necessary.

The Viros canyon, which starts from Taygetos and ends in Kardamyli, consists a rich in geomorphical elements  formation that create a magnificent scenery.

Transport – Roads – Rural roads: The transport to and from Kalamata takes place once a day by a long distance bus of KTEL Kalamata.

The road network is troublesome since no further improvement has taken place in recent years. The road has been destroyed in many places, while abrupt turns make driving dangerous. There are many holes on the ground that cause great trouble to drivers. There are not luminous little posts.

A few years ago a road joined Exochori with Kardamyli, by – passing Proastion. This road has almost been destroyed  because of the rainstorms.

The road Saidona – Exochori remains one of the promises of the Prefecture of Messinia. It is a sum due of 285.000.000 drs which cannot lapse. The rural roads need repairing, while new ones need to be cut.

Water supply: The area is irrigated by the  springs of Voidonitsa. The quantity of water produced, particularly during the summer months is considered insufficient. This is inexcusable, since there is the capacity of increasing the water supply from surface and underground sources.

Olive-oil cooperative: There is an olive-oil cooperative and an olive-oil mill. Its financial status is very good.

Culture – Sports: On the first fortnight of August many cultural events take place. Races, photo exhibitions, folklore and Byzantine icon exhibitions. The games of tavli (backgammon), Mora  and chess are part of the  fair events  of 15th August.

The historical – Folklore Museum has a permanent cultural presence in the area. The Cultural Association TaygetosΣ shows  remarkable work along with the Cultural Association of Exochori people living in Athens.

We are finishing our article reminding you of the 60.000.000 drs owed to Exochori people for the utilization of  Viros Canyon.

Antonis Roumaneas

LOCATION, HISTORY AND MONUMENTS

The settlement of Kitries belongs to the Municipal district of Doli, Municipality of Avia, and it is at a distance of about 15 km from Kalamata.

It is a coastal settlement with a fantastic beach  and lush vegetation. It was the seaport of Zarnata and base of the Beys of Mani. Five of the eight Beydes of Mani used Kitries at fixed intervals, as their base. Tzanetbeys Koutipharis, 1st Bey of Mani, 1776 – 1779 ( with his fortified palace placed at Skala of Kitries), Mihalbeys Troupakis, Panagiot-beys Koumountourakis, Antonbeys Grigorakis and Petrobeys Mav-romihalis. The church of Agios Konstantinos and Eleni, recently restored, is connected to all the events and situations of the old times. The consecration took place there of the four irregular bishops of Mani from the Metropolite  of Zarnata, Gavriil Fragouli for the episcopacy : Anthimo for the episcopacy of Platsa, Ioannikia for the episcopacy of Milea and Kastania, Losif for the episcopacy of Mainis and Prokopio for the episcopacy of Andouvista. Kitries was the place of the pre-revolution discussions and decisions. The National Contract was signed there on March 8th, 1821, with Petrobei, who undertook the leadership of the combat as a result of the decisions of the assembled chieftains and elder Maniates.

POPULATION & OCCUPATIONS

There are about 110 residents in the settlement according to the last census of March 18th , 2001. Their main occupation is fishing because the sea in this area is rich in fish. Olive tree culture is the main seasonal occupation.

ROAD CONSTRUCTION: RU-RAL ROADS

The central road connecting the area to Kalamata passes through built-up areas and in several places it is dangerous because there are many bends and it is very narrow. In the next few weeks a part of the road will be improved with an appropriation of  73.000.000dr. from the European Community subvention programme. The anticipated works are road-widening , technical works and tarmac. There are few rural roads giving access to the farms ; the condition of these will be improved and new ones are anticipated.

THE PORT

The port is not big enough for all the boats. They are planning to enlarge and strengthen it  for the protection of the fishing boats so that they will have a safe refuge during the winter storms.

WATER SUPPLY

The region receives drinking water from the springs of Pidima. The Water Supply Association of Kalamata  and the other Municipalities is planning the construction of a bigger cistern and the renovation of the system in the near future. After this work is finished there will not be a deficiency of water, especially in the summer time.

PUBLIC PLACES – CEMETERY There are only a few puplic places. All the residents want the cemetery moved to a place well away from the houses.

Kitries is an under-developed region needing  good, integrated planning to confront its problems. The special characteristics of the region must be carefully retained, though.

We want to thank Mr Avrami Evangelo and Mr Giannea Ilia – Presidents of the Local Council of the Municipal Department of Avia and Doli – for the information  provided.

ANTONIS ROUMANEAS

We continue our itinerary to the ProsiliakiΣ Sunny Inner Mani and the Municipal District of Kotronas, Municipality of Eastern Mani. Today, Loukadika is well known for its  narrow central road, through the village, and its dangerous bends (this is the reason why big buses, lorries, tourists, etc. avoid Eastern Mani!), so  only a few people  can come to see its history .

Loukadika, built on the hill, dominates the villages of the region. It is a real traditional jewel of a village, well situated and with a marvellous view. This place, in olden days, was the citadel of the ancient Tathronis, the famous town of the Freelacons (Eleftherolakonon) and the continuity of  its history can be seen with the subsequent Byzantine castle-fortresses. One can make a tour of the abandoned ruins of the castle, steeped in lingering memories of its heroic past, now lying neglected by indifference; the ancient walls left from the Byzantine fortifications, the ruined fighting tower of Gola, the foundations and remains of the old buildings… surely these deserve not only our admiration, but also the will to preserve them for the future. They are important treasures of our country.

In Loukadika, as in the most of the villages  of Mani, you can easily find the large foundations of the commodious houses and buildings of previous generations. Nowadays, new houses are constructed on these bases and the traditional tower houses still adorn the village showing that the village has been continuously inhabited.

There are many churches in Loukadika. First of all, the church of Saint Georgios the Knight, built close by the castle, a bulwark against storms and always protecting the village. On the east side, Panagia Spilaiotisa, in ruins, is inside a natural cave. At the end of this cave there is a tunnel which ends at Tathroni. We must also mention the Panagia of the RougaΣ

(Virgin of the Alley), Agio Theodoro – where, in pre-Christian times, some villagers were first stoned and then walled-up! On the north side of the village there is a ruined dry-stone wall where the church ofAgios Nikon lies, disused and forgotten for years and years.  They say that in this place, Loukadiotes  met the missionary who was responsible for the conversion of Mani to Christianity, 1000 years ago, and this country church is dedicated to his memory.

Ending with the final monument of the village, we must mention the ΤtreeΣ of Ai – Lia, the evergreen oak tree, where they say, under its shadow the fighters of the Eastern Mani, Tathronis and Lagias, met before going against the dynasty.

Loudika is the origin of Kanavos, a famous fighter against the Turks, renowned for war exploits and bravery at sea. The first targets were the ships under the Turkish banner.

Loukadika are also known from the poem of Nikita Nifaki (1800)….

Loukadika and Kabalos, Himara and Skoutari,  all these, among the other villages, bright like the moon…

We  are not sure of  the etymology of the village name.  We meet the name in the chronicle of St. Magno in 1463, in a document of 1618 it is mentioned as a castle-settlement, and  in  about 1700, it is called as  Loukades villageΣ.

There are only a few residents in Loukadika today (about 30). Their main occupation is cattle breeding and olive tree culture. During the summer they have much more  work because many people who originate from here come back to their village. There is an active Association in Athens. This is the motherland of the well known philologist, historian and writer, Sarantos Kargakos.

The water supply of the village is from  a  bore-hole  at Kotronas, and there is a water shortage during the summer.

Loukadika has always waited for state and local authority interest to develop in its cultural heritage, especially in the preservation of its archaeological remains. It will be useful to have the by-pass road which will help a lot the residents in Eastern Mani and its visitors.  There must also be construction planning for the area, to keep the characteristics of the region, the stone construction of the traditional houses which make this village special.

(This special text  is based on information taken from the Calendar of the Association of Loukadioton, 1989 – text Dim. K. Manolakos)

G.P. Dimakogiannis