Ermionida

Kranidi, Ermioni, Porto Heli, Kilada, Didima

AREA INFORMATION

Ermionida constitutes one of the three counties of Argolida in the north-east Peloponnese whose rich and breathtaking landscape encompasses the famous ancient sites of Corinth, Mycenae, Epidavros and Tyrins, and the lovely town of Nafplion. Situated at the tip of the peninsula opposite the islands of Spetses and Hydra the county of Ermionida has a mixture of agricultural towns and fishing villages. Its coastline is rippled with numerous inlets and small bays offering wonderful clear water and natural harbors. The interior of rolling hills and plains semi-encompassed by mountains to the north-west is covered by olive groves and dotted by towns and villages in which the traditional rhythm of daily life has remained unchanged.

Kranidi dominates the interior plain of Ermionida. Built on a hill it overlooks the mountain passes north and east, and the port of Kilada below. Historically its inhabitants were engaged in both agricultural and seafaring activities. Its importance as a commercial center is still visible in its stately homes~ ornamented with lace-like iron balconies and its numerous impressive churches. The town still retains a charming old world appearance and atmosphere. Walking along its narrow cobbled streets the sights, sounds and smells transport one to a previous era.

Ermioni is a charming town and port situated on a narrow peninsula whose history goes back to antiquity. Archaeological traces of the ancient city have been found throughout the present site and in the pine-covered area at the tip of the peninsula called Bisti. The recent town is a Custer of small houses, narrow store-covered streets surrounded on either side by a harbor. Lining the main port are pensions, restaurant and shops, while in the particularly picturesque quarter called Mandrakia with its old colorful houses and taverns lining the waterfront is another harbor where the fishermen's boats are docked and their nets put out to dry.

The road leading north- east of Ermioni is dotted with small seaside towns and resorts. Particularly attractive is the area around Thermissia and Plepi with its seemingly endless beaches lining the coast. rewarding visit while in the area is to the monastery of Agii Anagriri which dates from the eleventh century. The existing buildings are dated from the seventeenth century. The walls of the churches are adored with frescoes from this period and the elaborately carved wooden iconostasis covered in gold leaf dates from 1711.

Porto Heli is picturesque because of its fascinating beaches, a tourist centre because of its luxurious hotels, unique because of its secure port, bright because of its 350 days of sunshine, unforgettable because of its wonderful sunset, inexhaustible because of its innumerable cultural activities.

All these qualities made Porto Heli, this little village of fishermen, a unique summer holiday centre. Its first name, "ALIIS" meaning fishermen came from the occupation of its inhabitants. However conquerors changed it into "Porto Heli". There 's an ancient city at the bottom of the sea near Hotel Giouli. We can distinguish the walls, the temple, the Acropolis.

Archaeological researches have proved that the city was autonomous and rich (commerce, pottery, agriculture).

For unknown reasons, the story of the city is suddenly interrupted, leaving a lot of unanswerable questions to the archaeologists.

Today, this village of fishermen, still maintaining its charm has evolved into a tourist centre where a lot of ship - owners have had their houses built, a lot of luxurious yachts are sheltered in its natural port. We are also certain that its modern and comfortable hotels along with its luxurious rented rooms will make your visit unforgettable.

Its perfect road network and means of transportation makes it even easier for you to visit the place and enjoy its serenity, its warm climate and the traditional Greek life.

You can spend your day on its vast beaches, with pine trees that reach the sand or in small picturesque bays, have lunch at the traditional taverns and ouzeri along the port and finally live an intense night that will keep you awake till down.

Kilada, a quiet fishing village 6 kilometers from Kranidi, despite a few modern buildings lining the port evokes the same atmosphere of a pre- industrial way of life. Its harbor is crowded with colorful fishing vessels built by local craftsmen. Past traditions still retain a spontaneous nature particularly evident in the festival which takes place on the first of August every year celebrating the embarking of the fishing fleet.

Nearby opposite the port is the mouth of a large cave (refereed to by the local residents as The cave of Cyclops') in which pre-historic remains have been excavated dating from 25,000 to 5,000 B.C.

Didima. Further inland 14 kilometers from Kranidi near the village of Didima is another large cave (visible from the road) and crater which are believed to have created by the fall of a meteor. At the bottom of the crater (which can be reached by a tunnel) are two tiny churches.

One is of St. George in which traces of old frescoes are evident and the other is the tiny cave-like chapel of the Metamorphosis.