Haria is a village of the local compartment Pyrgos Dirou of Vytilo Municipality with 89 inhabitants (census 2001). It is an original part of Mani that still stands in time. Gifted from nature, Haria with the unique beauties, is a sample of the Maniot architecture with tower estates that combine luxury with the traditional color. The name comes from the word \u201caria\u201d which means scarcely, in intervals, or a sparsely populated area. It is 5km away from Areopoli and following the road that leads to Viros caves, it is the first village we come across turning right on the main road. The village is surrounded by a rich olive grove that produces the exquisite Maniot olive oil.<\/p>\n
Archaeological researches found an old Maniot village with big Byzantine cisterns. Agios Jeorgios church (12th century) is the oldest temple of the area with frescos of 1840.<\/p>\n
House estates with towers and tower houses such as Arapakis, in the neighbourhood Arapianika, which has been renovated, is an original sample of Maniot architecture as well as Soubasis\u2019 tower (family with well known handymen such as Grigoris Soubasis) perfectly fit in the uniqueness of the traditional environment. Mihalis Anagnostakos (captain Matapas) originates from Haria. He worked effectively for the successful outcome of the Macedonian struggle. Relevant report of the General Ambassador of Thessalonica to the Ministry of foreign affairs characterizes him as \u201can example of honest, devoted and competent worker of the national idea\u201d. A good example is the folklore poem for his actions:<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s this Matapas?<\/p>\n
He is everywhere you go.<\/p>\n
Once he is a priest<\/p>\n
Then a rebellion and a fisherman\u201d.<\/p>\n
He crowned the size of his sacrifices for the freedom of Macedonia with his heroic death fighting again voluntarily as a lieutenant at Doirani battle (23 June 1913).<\/p>\n
The inhabitants of Haria strongly resisted against the landing of Ibrahim at Diros (June 1826). They were the first Maniots seen by the Egyptians and they were sleeping at the threshing floors near the haystacks.<\/p>\n
This is how the poem by Theodoros Soubasis published at the newspaper \u201c\u0394\u03b7\u03bc\u03bf\u03ba\u03c1\u03b1\u03c4\u03b9\u03ba\u03cc\u03c2 \u03a6\u03c1\u03bf\u03c5\u03c1\u03cc\u03c2\u201d describes the surprise of the villagers from Hania\u00a0 at the coming of Ibrahim:<\/p>\n
\u201cOver there close to Pyrgaros<\/p>\n
at the church of Agios Nicolaos<\/p>\n
the priest comes<\/p>\n
he looks at Diros<\/p>\n
and sees ships with army<\/p>\n
there comes Poulakos the priest<\/p>\n
with all his clerical<\/p>\n
and tolls the bells.<\/p>\n
\u201cListen, all villages<\/p>\n
And especially Haria<\/p>\n
The army enters Diro!<\/p>\n
Call all the villages<\/p>\n
And all the Maniot lads<\/p>\n
Take your guns<\/p>\n
Women take your scythes<\/p>\n
And resist Arabia.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cSaint Nicon<\/p>\n
Help this day<\/p>\n
So that the prayer<\/p>\n
Of the saint is held.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Today Haria offers to the numerous visitors a pleasant stay to guest houses fully equipped securing the luxury according to the last word of technology. Indicatively, we mention the guest house \u201c\u039a\u03b1\u03c4\u03b1\u03c6\u03cd\u03b3\u03b9\u201d and the hotel 4 stars \u201cCastellodi Haria\u201d.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Antonis Roumaneas<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Haria is a village of the local compartment Pyrgos Dirou of Vytilo Municipality with 89 inhabitants (census 2001). It is an original part of Mani that still stands in time. Gifted from nature, Haria with the unique beauties, is a sample of the Maniot architecture with tower estates that combine luxury with the traditional color. … \u03a3\u03c5\u03bd\u03ad\u03c7\u03b5\u03b9\u03b1 \u03b1\u03bd\u03ac\u03b3\u03bd\u03c9\u03c3\u03b7\u03c2 HARIA<\/span>