A craggy and imposing place, carved under the sunshine, which raises proud people and has not only loyal friends but also numerous visitors all year round. Mani, due to its geographical position in the middle finger of Peloponnese, is washed by the Messinian and Laconian gulf and extends up to Cape Tainaron, which is the southernmost point of mainland Greece. The weather conditions favor the growth of olive tree and the production of top quality olive oil, whereas the rich vegetation in herbs and aromatic plants contributes to the production of top quality honey.
In the course of its history, Mani has been a base for pirates but remained unconquerable by all sorts of attacks, free and proud and has been inhabited since prehistoric times. In Mani, there are countless stone towers, 8 castles, 98 out of the 118 traditional settlements of Peloponnese, a wealth of archaeological sites, more than 1000 Byzantine and post-Byzantine churches with excellent religious paintings and more than 100 caves, starting with the world-famous Diros Cave. Mani combines beautiful beaches and coasts with Taygetos, the male mountain with the rich Fauna and Flora, the chasms and gorges.
South of Areopolis is Pirgos Dirou, a historical village of Mani, since this is the place where the inhabitants of Mani defeated the forces of Ibrahim in June 1826. People visiting Pirgos Dirou have the opportunity to explore, among others, Fourniata, the fortified settlement with the tower of chieftain Sklavounakos, Haria, one of the oldest and most representative settlements of Mani, as well as exceptional examples of the byzantine ecclesiastical architecture in the wider area.
However, what draws more the interest of people visiting the area of Pirgos Dirou is undoubtedly the famous Diros Cave – one of the most beautiful caves in our country. Diros Cave comprises three individual caves: Glyfada, Alepotrypa and Katafygi have each one separately their own particular value. An unspeakable beauty is hidden beneath Mani grounds: the most beautiful lake cave in the world.
The exploration of the cave began in 1949 by the couple of speleologists Ioannis and Anna Petrocheilou of the Greek Speleological Society. The cave consists of stalactites and stalagmites and used to be a terrestrial cave; however, over the centuries the water level went up from the sea and thus, the stalactite formations resemble white columns emerging from the water.
No matter how many times you may have visited Diros Cave, you cannot stop admiring what has been offered to you as a gift by nature. The visitor remains speechless for 45 minutes on a rambling path.