Church of Taxiarches

The Mani


On the southern side of Plateia 17 Martiou is this 18th-century church. Its picturesque five-storey bell tower marks it as the most important of Areopoli's many churches. The square is named after the day in 1821 when Mani leaders began the revolution against the Ottoman occupation at this very church.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby The Mani attractions

1. Church of Agios Ioannis

0.06 MILES

The Church of Agios Ioannis, built by the Mavromichalis family on a tiny square west of the main square, contains a series of well-preserved frescoes…

2. Pikoulakis Tower House Museum

0.07 MILES

Housed in a restored tower, this museum displays exquisite Byzantine pieces from Mani churches. These include a 12th-century marble templon (chancel…

3. Diros Caves

1.89 MILES

These extraordinary flooded caves, inhabited since Neolithic times, lie 11km south of Areopoli and are signposted near the village of Pyrgos Dirou. The…

4. Tigani

8.47 MILES

This spectacular peninsula juts out of the Mani coast like an upside-down saucepan and, indeed, its Greek name means 'frying pan'. The high point of…

5. Folkloric Museum

12.2 MILES

It may be compact, but this museum does a wonderful job of bringing to life the past residents of Gythio and the surrounding Mani. Themed rooms exhibit…

6. Shadow Theatre Museum

12.21 MILES

This beautiful little studio-museum-shop is run by personable local artist Giorgos Hassanakos. The small upstairs gallery pays homage to traditional…

7. Marathonisi Islet

12.39 MILES

According to mythology, tranquil, pine-shaded Marathonisi, connected to Gythio by a thin causeway, is ancient Cranae, where Paris (prince of Troy) and…

8. Kalogria

14.39 MILES

Pretty sandy beach north of the main beach in Stoupa. The water is beautiful and clear; sunbeds clog up the shore in summer.