Η σχέση μου με τον αποβιώσαντα Καθηγητή Γρηγόρη Σκαλκέα  δημιουργήθηκε με αφετηρία το κοινό μας υπόβαθρο, συναισθηματικού χαρακτήρα και ενδιαφέροντος: τη Μάνη, τον τόπο και τους ανθρώπους της, αλλά και τις προγονικές καταβολές μας. Η δημιουργία της σχέσης αυτής προέκυψε σχεδόν αυτόματα. Όταν, το 2001 συνδιοργανώσαμε το Επιστημονικό Συνέδριο: «ΜΑΝΗ ΚΑΙ ΚΑΛΑΜΑΤΑ – δεσμοί αγάπης και αμοιβαιότητας», του ζητήσαμε να είναι Πρόεδρός του. Τον επισκεφθήκαμε, με το συγγενή του Αντώνη Νικ. Χρηστέα, στο σπίτι του στον Άγιο Δημήτρη της Δυτικής Μάνης. Θυμάμαι, ήταν απογευματινές ώρες της  6 Αυγούστου, μόλις είχε βγει από το θαλασσινό του μπάνιο. Κουβεντιάζαμε  για ώρα στην πίσω βεράντα του σπιτιού, ενώ η αδελφή του η Έφη κάθε τόσο ερχόταν να του θυμίσει ότι στο σπίτι έφθαναν καλεσμένοι. Συνεπαρμένος από τη συζήτηση, για πλήθος μανιάτικα θέματα που είχαμε αρχίσει, καθυστερούσε την προσέλευσή του στο τραπέζι. Μετά από δύο ώρες, από ευγένεια, τον παρακαλέσαμε να διακόψομε τη συζήτηση. Δεν έδωσε οριστική απάντηση στην πρότασή μας, δεδομένου και ότι το Συνέδριο θα διεξαγόταν στις αρχές Νοεμβρίου και οι υποχρεώσεις του ήταν πολλές και απροσδιόριστες. Ενώ είχαμε απογοητευτεί και αρχίσαμε να ψάχνομε εναλλακτικές λύσεις, στα τέλη Σεπτεμβρίου μου τηλεφώνησε για να μου πει: Οι φωνές των προγόνων μου, που εμφανίζονται στα όνειρά μου και μου δίνουν εντολή να θέσω τη συμμετοχή μου στο Συνέδριο σε πρώτη προτεραιότητα. Στις τρεις ημέρες του Συνεδρίου, μέσω της πυκνής συναναστροφής μας, διαπιστώθηκε και στην πράξη η κοινή μας «χημεία», με υπόβαθρό της τη Μάνη και όσα σημειολογεί αυτός ο τόπος.

Τη μεθεπόμενη χρονιά, που ήταν και το έτος που είχε εκλεγεί ως Πρόεδρος της Ακαδημίας Αθηνών, αποφασίσαμε να διοργανώσομε στην Αρεόπολη το Συνέδριο: «Μανιάτες Ακαδημαϊκοί – Πανεπιστημιακοί από την ευρεία περιοχή της Αρεόπολης». Η συναναστροφή μας, και μάλιστα στη γενέθλια του γη την Αρεόπολη που στο Γυμνάσιό της υπηρετούσε  ως φιλόλογος καθηγητής ο πατέρας του, προώθησε και τη στενότητα της σχέσης μας, που μετεξελίχθηκε  σε σχέση πατρική – υική.

Τα 25 χρόνια που μεσολάβησαν από τότε απαιτούσε σε κάθε μετάβασή μου στην Αθήνα να έβαζα στο πρόγραμμα και επίσκεψη στο σπίτι του ή έστω στην περιοχή του Παπάγου που βρίσκεται το Ίδρυμα Ιατροβιολογικών Ερευνών που προέδρευε.  Επειδή οι μετακινήσεις μου προς την Αθήνα λόγω υποχρεώσεων ήταν περιορισμένες, απαιτούσε τα 20ήμερα του καλοκαιριού που ερχόταν στον Άγιο Δημήτρη, αν ήταν δυνατό, να συναντιόμαστε κάθε βράδυ για φαγητό και συζήτηση. Οι συζητήσεις μας κάλυπταν όλα τα πεδία: την πολιτική, την κοινωνία, αλλά κυρίως τη Μάνη, διερευνώντας και φωτίζοντας πλείστες – όσες λεπτομέρειες από το ιστορικό παρελθόν της και την ανθρωπογεωγραφία της.

Παραξενεύτηκε όταν τον πληροφόρησα ότι οι έρευνές μου σε παλιά αρχεία δείχνουν ότι η κοιτίδα της πατριάς των Σκαλκιάνων βρίσκεται στο Νεοχώρι και όχι στις Θαλάμες, που στα δημοτολόγια της Κοινότητάς της ήταν ενταγμένη η οικογενειακή μερίδα του πατέρα του. Στις Θαλάμες εξελίχθηκε ένας μικρός υποκλάδος της οικογένειας, όταν μετακινήθηκε ο ιερομόναχος Γρηγόριος Σκαλκέας (αρχικά εφημέριος στο Νιοχώρι και στον Πύργο Λεύκτρου), που διεύθυνε και το εκεί μοναστήρι του Αγίου Νικολάου στον οικισμό Γουράτο. Του είπα μάλιστα τότε ότι κοινή αφετηρία της πατριάς ήταν ο Παναγιώτης Σκαλκέας που ήταν και πατέρας της προγιαγιάς μου! Εξ` άλλου από το Νιοχώρι μετακινήθηκε στη Σελίνιτσα (τώρα Άγιο Νικόλαο) αργότερα , στις πρώτες δεκαετίες του περασμένου αιώνα,  ο Κυριάκης Σκαλκέας και τα αδέλφιά του, ιδρύοντας και λειτουργώντας για δεκαετίες επιτυχημένο εμπορικό οίκο.

Οι σπουδές του Καθηγητή Σκαλκέα στην Ιατρική και η άσκηση των καθηκόντων του ως πανεπιστημιακού δασκάλου δεν τον εξέτρεψαν από την εκπλήρωση των υποχρεώσεών του έναντι της οικογένειάς του. Τις ανέλαβε, ιδιαίτερα μετά τον πρόωρο θάνατο του πατέρα του και τη μετακίνηση της οικογένειας στην Αθήνα, και τις εκπλήρωσε με άριστο τρόπο. Φρόντισε μαζί με τ` αδέλφιά του ώστε η μητέρα του Σοφία το γένος Στυλιανού Χρηστέα να έχει όλες τις φροντίδες ώστε να φθάσει σε βαθύ γήρας, καλοπάντρεψε τις τρεις αδελφές του, βοήθησε επαγγελματικά το μικρότερο αδελφό του Στέλιο, που σπούδασε οικονομικές επιστήμες, να ιδρύσει και να λειτουργεί μακροχρόνια και με επιτυχία  γραφείο οικονομικών και ασφαλιστικών εργασιών, φρόντισε για τις σπουδές και την επαγγελματική αποκατάσταση των ανεψιών του.

Η μόνη παρηγοριά από τη μεγάλη αυτή απώλεια είναι ότι τα έργα του Καθηγητή Γρηγόρη Σκαλκέα παραμένουν, τόσο οι επιστήμονες γιατροί που πέρασαν από τα χέρια του κατά τις δεκαετίες που κατείχε τη μοναδική έδρα Χειρουργικής στο Πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών και πολλοί από αυτούς έχουν διακριθεί στην Ελλάδα και το εξωτερικό, όσο και το μεγάλο δημιούργημά του, μετά τη συνταξιοδότησή του,  το Ίδρυμα Ιατροβιολογικών Ερευνών όπου, εδώ και 20 χρόνια, ασκούνται δεκάδες μεταπτυχιακοί γιατροί και βιολόγοι, εκπονώντας πρωτότυπες ερευνητικές εργασίες και συμβάλλοντας με πρωτοποριακές θεραπείες, στη αντιμετώπιση ασθενειών.  Έτσι θα παραμένει στη διαχρονική μνήμη η προσφορά στην κοινωνία του τελευταίου Μανιάτη ευπατρίδη. Αυτού που τίμησε τόσο την Επιστήμη του, αλλά και που ποτέ δεν ξεχνούσε να επιστρέφει τα τροφεία  στη μανιάτικη γη περιθάλποντας για πολλές δεκαετίες τους συμπατριώτες που χρειάζονταν την ιατρική του φροντίδα.

Νίκος Ευστρ. Μαραμπέας

Πριν από λίγο καιρό έφυγε από την ζωή η θεία Βενετία. Ορφανή από πατέρα από μικρή, μεγάλωσε με στερήσεις, αλλά ποτέ δεν έχασε την αισιοδοξία της για την ζωή. Το σπίτι της ήταν στην σκιά του μεγάλου καμπαναριού και έτσι ήμαστε γειτόνισσες. Νεαρή κοπέλα ήταν πάντα πολυάσχολη και την θυμάμαι και νύχτα ακόμη να γνέθει στο φως του φαναριού με άλλες γυναίκες στην ωραία αυλή του σπιτιού της, την «πεζούλα της Χάρισσας». Ήταν και εξαιρετική υφάντρα. Ήξερε όλες τις αγροτικές δουλειές και δεν φοβόταν την σκληρή δουλειά, εργαζόμενη και σε γειτονικά χωριά. Θυμάμαι κάποτε που είχε δουλέψει μαζί με άλλες χωριανές, κόβοντας ξύλα για ένα καμίνι στό Ξεχώρι.

Πραστιώτισσα, παντρεύτηκε στην Καρδαμύλη, όπου εγκαταστάθηκε. Αρχοντική, καλή σύζυγος και αφοσιωμένη μητέρα, πάντα με το χαμόγελο στα χείλη και έναν καλό λόγο για όλους, παρούσα σε κάθε χαρά και λύπη. Την άκουσα πριν από λίγα χρόνια σε έναν γάμο στην Απάνω Καρδαμύλη να τραγουδάει ωραία την «Νεραντζούλα φουντωμένη». Ήταν μια ωραία στιγμή που παρέπεμπε σε άλλη εποχή…

Η Βενετία αγαπήθηκε από πολλούς, που δεν θα την ξεχάσουν ποτέ. Καλό σου ταξίδι, θεία Βενέτω. Η Καρδαμύλη δεν θα είναι πια η ίδια χωρίς εσένα…

Παναγιώτα Κομπιλήρη

Selegoudi is the local compartment of Smynos Municipality. It belongs to the semi alpine zone of the municipality and covers an area of 5km2; the 1,4 Km2 is cultivated area and the rest is pastoral land (public or private).  The population has often fluctuated. In 1940, there were 331 inhabitants, in 1961 163, in 1981, 96, in 1991, 85 and in the last census in 2001, 110.

It is 19 km away from the junction of the country road Sparta-Gythion and 4 km away from the administrative centre of Agios Nicolaos Municipality.

It is built near the old village called Sarpya that had repeatedly been despoiled by pirates. Selegoudi is recorded as one of the Maniot villages and specifically in the code Muazzo in 1695 as Villa Selegadi.

From Selegoudi, one can visit Smynos spring, the hydroelectric unit and in summer, the cool waters of the river gorge and the “pool» created by the watermill for refreshment.

In the area there is the Agricultural Association.

The church of Agioi Theodoroi, which is also the parish church of the village, is recorded as a listed building.

Selegoudi has most of the features to be part of tourism with a mild development and with absolute respect to the preservation of the natural and cultural environment.

For the success of this purpose, there must be strategic planning, which will define a framework with propositions, suggestions for the development of agrotourism, the opening of the old paths and of the gorge at Smynos river.

Selegoudi is not a simple dialogue of nature with itself, but a unique universe, exotic and familiar, distant and friendly at the same time. It is a wonderful place for contact with nature as it is completely untouched by human activities.

Time here is still. The walls stand firm despite time effect, silent witnesses of an era. Houses old and new and steady that endured time and abandonment. Samples of the folklore craftsmanship in the evolution of the mountainous residences. In the place, there are simple and humble people characterised by struggle and constant effort.

Young people that stayed in their village, their birthplace, fight to make a living and never stop to look for news ways to redefine their relation with their birthplace.

Antonis Roumaneas

Prosilio Smynou is a local compartment of Smynou Municipality. Following the roundabout road that leads from Melitini to Archontiko and after crossing the village Lemonia, we come to Prosilio. It’s a sunny village covered by sun all day long; of course, it owes its name to its position. On the marble fountain of the village, there is a built-in statue, which was found in the area. Starting from this spot the visitor can go to the Princess Cave and other antiquities down at Smynos River.

The village has panoramic view to the gorge of river Smynos, which, during the last few years, is a place of visit of Walking Clubs and individual hikers. The view, at the square of the village, towards Prophet Elias is wonderful.

Prosilio belongs to the semi alpine zone of the Municipality and covers an area of 4,5 km2, of which the 2,9km2 is cultivated land and the rest is pastoral land either private or public. At the census in 2001, there were 168 inhabitants, in 1940, 383 inhabitants, in 1961, 251 inhabitants, in 1971, 147 inhabitants, in 1981, 164 and in 1991, 104.

The sacred temple of the Assumption Of the Virgin is the parish church of the village. The external walls are elaborate and meticulous, whereas inside there are plenty of impressive frescos.

The villagers are sociable, hospitable and quiet. They occupy themselves with olives, citrus fruits and domestic cattle breeding.

The beauty of the landscape is generous, exciting all the senses. Forests with oak trees, plane trees, bushes, and big variety of flowers with many colours compose a landscape of exquisite beauty amongst the few houses and the vastness of nature.

Beautiful village that lives away from Gods and men within simplicity based on the soul of the few inhabitants. A village of great beauty with the ornaments of the place, which are all very beautiful but most of them poor and abandoned in their destiny. The images succeed one another; staying is possible in the neighbouring villages; serenity is the rule not the exception, whereas natural nutrition replaces technology.

The area has especially rich and diverse natural environment, as it shows rich geomorphology with intense contradictions.

Superimposing mountains caves and gorges, rivers, impressive landscapes give the opportunity to the visitor to explore the gorges, the caves and the waterfalls of River Smynos learning at the same time the wonderful variety of the flora generally in the area.

Antonis Roumaneas

Local compartment of Smynos Municipality. On the road Aigies-Arna, we first come across Petrina. This is the biggest local compartment of the Municipality with 450 inhabitants (census 2001). Of course, in summertime, they are more than 1000. The population has had many fluctuations till now. In 1940, it was 942 inhabitants, in 1951, 908, in 1971, 448, in 1981, 444 and in 1991, 309. Petrina belongs to the lowland of the Municipality and covers an area of 29.400.000m2. The 7.000.000m2 are cultivated area, the 15.000.000m2 are forested area and the rest is pastoral land.

As in the rest of Mani, Petrina went through the immigration flow to USA and Canada. As a result, people coming from Petrina, created centres over there and never forgot the place where they come from. They often visit Petrina and even contribute financially to the development of their village.

The history of the village is very old. Firstly, in 1304, Petrina is mentioned along with the hagiographer Theodoros Petriniotis in written sources. In Byzantine times, Petrina, along with Geraki and Mystras is also mentioned. In the National Struggle, in 1821, the inhabitants of Petrina took part in the liberation struggle and prove to be noteworthy heroic personalities and national benefactors, such as the first mayor of Krokees, who had his headquarters in Petrina, Panagiotis Anagnostakis, who offered a significant amount of money to the struggle. Indisputable proof about the participation of the inhabitants of Petrina to the struggles of the nation is the old canon in Rahidi from 1821, as well as plenty of photographic material about their participation to the Macedonian Struggle in 1st and 2nd World War.

In recent times, the Agricultural Cooperation of Petrina, founded in 1915, acquired the “Protected Designation of Origin” for the olive oil they produce.

The Union of Attorneys (before 1907) and later the Welfare Institution of Petrina, is active offering services to the society. In the area, there is, since 1915, the aqueduct and the abattoir. Additionally, in Petrina there is the KEΠ of the Municipality.

In Petrina, one can try his shooting abilities at the shooting centre near the road Gythion-Sparta. It should be noted that the natural and animal richness of the area has led to the creation of a refuge for partridges, hares and pheasants.

In Petrina, there are many churches; some are built in the beginning of the 19th century with important frescos and icons. Prophet Eias, Ai Jiorgis, Ai Thanasis, Ai Dimitrios, are all Byzantine churches of the 13th century. Panagitsa at Hiotika, constructed in 1800, has important frescos and icons, too. There are also Agios Panteleimon built in 1900, Sotiros church in 1900 and Agii Apostoloi Petros and Pavlos, which is the parish church at the central square of the village with important frescos.

In Petrina, one can visit the springs Housou Platani, which are traditional springs, where a statue of the ancient Greek times was found; this is kept at the archaeological museum in Sparta. The big poet and academic Nikiforos Vrettakos comes from Petrina and his name is listed in the files of the community.

In the village, there is an atmosphere of creation. In this effort, the collective activity of the inhabitants plays an important role. This is expressed through the Welfare Institution and the Agricultural Cooperation. Innovative institutions that were formed decades ago are still active in everyday life and ameliorate the living conditions of the area.

It is a local compartment at Smynos Municipality. It belongs to the semi mountainous zone and covers an area of 360 km2; the 100 km2 are cultivated area, the 350 Km2 is forest and the rest pastoral land. The population of the village was in 1940, 293 inhabitants, in 1991, 125 and in 2001, 200. In the last few years, locals and immigrants that had abandoned their village, come back, in summer months, creating a happy image and enjoying at the same time the tranquil stay.

The inhabitants are basically farmers and cattle breeders. They shape, with the particularities of their small society, the whole character of the area adapting their life to the characteristics of the environment.

The road to Palaiovrysi goes by the local compartment of Melitini. When you enter the village, you are impressed by the very beautiful square that was created with the personal work of the villagers.

Elegant houses, others new others renovated, with a really interesting architecture are the ornament of the village.

The last few years, taking advantage of the program Leader II from the Developmental Company of Mani, the community council, at that time, went through the construction of a guesthouse and café, exploiting a building of the village. They completed the project very fast, promoting the development of the village and attracting many tourists both from the neighbouring areas and all over Greece.

Palaiovrysi is a meeting point of alternative tourism in Arna and Vasiliki forest. Apart from the natural beauties and the cool climate that characterizes the area, there is a live museum with monuments, the Byzantine monastery of Agios Jeorgios with the Byzantine icons and the cemetery of the Priests on the road that connects Palaiovrysi to Arna. It’s worth mentioning that the monastery is active and has founded villages in many parts of the area, such as Pritsa village in Gythion. There are cisterns from Byzantine times, which used to water the village.

The springs at Kryo nero and Maganio are some of the places worth visiting.

Agios Nicolaos is the parish church of the village, whereas there are chapels with important frescos, which have been destroyed by some people who believed in the superiority of their own truth. In our days, only a few of us know about their existence, but still the chapels stay firm, through the years and seasons, and they remind to the few visitors of old and forgotten times.

The Cultural Association “Agios Jeorgios” unites all the villagers of Palaiovrysi and leads them to progress and development.

Local compartment of Smy-nos Municipality. It consists of the villages Melitini, Agia Marina and Lemonea. At the census in 2001, 242 inhabitants were recorded. At previous surveys, the population at times increased and decreased. In 1940, there were 546 inha-bitants, in 1961, 362, in 1971, 211, in 1981, 217 and in 1991, 184. It belongs to the semi-mountainous zone of the Municipality and covers an area of 13,6 km2. The 3 km2 is cultivated land, the 0.6 km2 is pastoral land and the rest is forest.

Melitini takes its name from the old Melitini Municipality. The first name was Zelina and then, in 1930, it was renamed. The name Zelina comes from the Slavic name Zlina which means green. It was dwelled in 750 AC from Slavic tribes (Miligi) that had immigrated to the mountainous areas of Taygetus after the permission of the Emperor Constantine V due to the desolation of the area and Laconia from the inhabitants that had been affected by the plague in 646 AC that had wiped out a big part of the population. The fact that the area has been dwelled by Slavs is confirmed by the names of the village and the surrounding ones (Rozova, Tseria, Pritsa, Liantina, Palova, Zerbitsa) as well as by the surrounding areas (Hadiakova, Filigrou, Avana). The first inhabitants were cattle breeders and later farmers.

Very fast the Slavs were assimilated by the locals and stopped being a Slavic part.

The village is at the centre of an imaginary circle that consists of the villages Petrina, Arna, Strontza, Pritsa. The strategic spot of the village helped the foundation of the first high school in 1926, whereas the primary school was founded by the General of 1821 Panagiotis Giatrakos. Nowadays, the school is open as the folklore museum and for social events.

Numerous buildings and ruins testify the history of the place. The temples of The Assumption of the Virgin (8th century) in Agia Marina and Agios Nicolaos in Melitini have been characterized as historical monuments by the Ministry of Culture. Agia Barbara is the parish church of the village.

Smynos River crosses Smynos Municipality and there are numerous springs that give the area a different view. The springs Paradi, Perovrysi and Pigadi are mentioned since ancient times and access there is possible through country roads.

The old Melitini Municipality had a stamp with “Hercules leaning on his club” and all around the words “Melitini Municipality” coming from a representation of an ancient coin 250-32 BC.

In the area, there is the Agricultural Cooperation of Olive Oil and the Cultural Association “Enotita” (unity).

Nowadays, the wind of change blows in the village. In this effort the Cultural Community Association plays an important role and contributes to the enlivening of the village.

The ornate bell tower of Agia Barbara and at the back Michaeleas tower which was the residence of the last Mayor of Melitini Kleomenis Michaelos.

Melissa is a village in Exo Prosiliaki Mani. The name Melissa is since 1958, whereas before it was called Malitsina, Maltsina and Maltzina.

Traditional village with stone built houses on a line of low cliffs that remind of a flying creature. In fact, this is the main reason it was called Melissa (=bee).

The ancient road that connected Gythion to Kardamyli, meaning Exo Prosiliaki and Aposkiaderi Mani, crosses the village. This made the village an important strategic place. The new road crosses the village, too.

There are three fountains close to the village with plenty of water, whereas the surroundings are exceptionally beautiful.

Today, it is the local compartment of Smynos Municipality that unfortunately, is, by mistake, recorded as Smynous Municipality.

It is a self-sufficient community since 1912 and one of the villages of the old Melitini Municipality since 1835. It was the centre of the Episcopate of Maltzini up to 1833; the last bishop was Filikos Joachim that participated and greatly contributed to the preparation of the revolution in 1821.

In Melissa, there is Heroitsa (or Roitsa) Monastery that is devoted to Holy Mother. The offer of the monastery in the pre revolutionary years was very important. Both Maltzina and the Monastery offered support and hospitality to the first kleft of Moreas Captain Zaharias Barbitsiotis, who organised his parapet close to Heroitsa, which we now call “the ruins of Zaharias”.

It’s worth mentioning the relation of Melissa to Smynos River, which was the last natural border of free Mani and the rest of Greece occupied by the Turks. Smynos offered the “pleasing water” (see Pausanias, ch. 24, verse 9,10) about the watering of ancient Gythion and the motion of the watermills. It still offers it today to water Exo, Kato and Mesa Mani and to produce electricity. The parish church of Melissa and ex episcopate, must be of the Byzantine Times and celebrates on the 21st November, the Assumption of Virgin Mary. The temple of the cemetery is also devoted to Holy Mother. There is a chapel in the memory of All Saints, whereas the rest of the seven chapels are devoted to different saints.

Today, they produce olive oil and Kalamata olives, they occupy themselves with cattle breeding, orchards and honey, whereas up to 1960 the basic income was from pines, figs and wine, all of exquisite quality.

Melissa has never been a big village; census 1835, 281 residents, 1907, 339, 1940, 275. Nevertheless, it was a vibrant village with big families, the members of which moved to Athens, Gythion, abroad to be finally distinguished in management, army, Education, Justice, politics, commerce, etc.

Unfortunately, the last few years, like in many other villages of Mani, there are no children born and the 100 residents recorded in 2001 are getting less and less.

Aristeidis Grafakos

Kokkina Louria (=Red Stripes) is a village in Exo Prosiliaki Mani; it is the so-called old community and the present Local Compartment of Smynos Municipality.

It sits at 400 meters above sea level, on the rocky part of an earthy hill of equal height, approximately 2km long that starts at the northeast foothills of Tavlabas and Ziziali and ends vertically at River Smynos. It belongs to the semi alpine zone of the Municipality and covers an area 6,4 km2; the 1,7km2 is cultivated land, planted mainly with olive trees and vines, fig trees and other trees. The 3 km2 is forest and the rest pastoral land.

The construction of the village in the present place seems to be new -after 1400- when the villagers of the old village, Goulianika, dwelled there permanently; at the steady red earth.

It seems that the village took its name from the red berms. There is another version. The name of the village comes from the stripes of the villagers’ clothes, which they used in order to tie the wounds of their co villagers after a confrontation with foreign enemies; so the stripes became red from the blood.

The historic village Desfina (Tsesfina) belonged, until 1940, to Kokkina Louria, then it was transcribed to community of Agios Nicolaos, whereas the area with the vineyards was divided in the two communities.

Kokkina Louria is on the country road Aigies-Kastania within a distance of 19 km from Gythion and 17 km from the monastery of Panagia Giatrissa.

The population of Kokkina Louria has fluctuated similarly to the majority of the villages of Mani. In 1835, there were 259 inhabitants, in 1851, 286 inhabitants, in 1907, 426 inhabitants, in 1920, 416 inhabitants, in 1929, 453 inhabitants, in 1940, 414 inhabitants, in 1954, 350 inhabitants, in 1991, 203 inhabitants. In 2001, 242 inhabitants were recorded, both locals and foreigners.

In the last years, Kokkina Louria is considered to be and it is one of the most dynamic villages of Dothe Riza and Smynos Municipality (or Smynous as it was mistakenly recorded). The villagers participate greatly and efficiently to the local and national events.

The parish church Evangelistria celebrates on the 25th March. The Holy Temple of Agios Dimitrios is an important place of pilgrimage at the end of the village with valuable frescos.

Until recently, Kokkina Louria lacked two basic infrastructure features, such as water and square. The spring of Ritziava was not enough for the watering of the village, whereas the water supply of the scarce water in 1960 from the spring Avorna in Kastania didn’t solve the problem. The spring Petra in the nearby village called Melissa, which is two kilometres away, was, in a way, a solution to the existing water shortage. The problem with the water was finally solved in 1969-1970, as well as in the broader area of Mani, after the exploitation of the waters of the springs Agia Marina of Smynos River.

The spacious square was formed in the last few years; it has exquisite view to the surrounding mountains of Taygetus, whereas at the background there is the highest peak of Taygetus “The distant Elias”, as it is called by the national poet of Mani Nikitas Nifakos.

At the end of the square, there is a community shop, which is a modern cafeteria-restaurant. The local Cultural Association organises every summer a ball and other events to which all the people from Kokkina Louria, both locals and from other places, participate and so reinforce the energy of their village. Such examples should be imitated.

Aristeidis Grafakos