Byzantine frescoes on ceiling of Convent of Pantanassa.

Mark Read

Peloponnese

The Peloponnese is the stuff of legends. Literally. It is here that Hercules fought the Nemean lion and gods walked the earth, meddling in mortal affairs; it's from here that Paris of Troy eloped with Helen and the Argonauts set sail in search of the Golden Fleece. Celestial and mythological charms aside, this region bears tangible traces of the many civilisations that once called it home, witnessed in its classical temples, Mycenaean palaces, Byzantine cities, and Ottoman, Frankish and Venetian fortresses.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • The Lion Gate was the main entrance of the Bronze Age citadel of Mycenae, southern Greece. It was erected during the 13th century BC in the northwest side of the acropolis and is named after the relief sculpture of two lionesses in a heraldic pose that stands above the entrance. The Lion Gate is the sole surviving monumental piece of Mycenaean sculpture, as well as the largest sculpture in the prehistoric Aegean.

    Ancient Mycenae

    Argolis

    On a hilltop backed by powerful mountains stand the sombre and mighty ruins of Ancient Mycenae, home of Agamemnon, the legendary king who commanded the…

  • Ruins of the ancient site of Olympia, specifically the Philippeion in the Altis of Olympia, which was an Ionic circular memorial of ivory and gold. The Olympic games originate from there.

    Ancient Olympia

    Peloponnese

    This is where the Olympic Games took place every four years for over 1100 years, until their abolition by Emperor Theodosius I in AD 393. The Olympic…

  • The ancient city of Messini in Peloponnese, Greece.

    Ancient Messini

    Messinia

    The remains of this vast ancient city are as extensive as those of Olympia and Epidavros, yet Ancient Messini receives only a fraction of their visitors…

  • The Temple of Zeus built around 330 BC is a Doric peripteral temple consisting of 32 limestone outer columns (6 by 12 columns) and the construction is unusual as it included all three Greek architectural forms, the Doric, the Corinthian, and the Ionic.

    Ancient Nemea

    Peloponnese

    Ancient Nemea was once the venue for the biennial Nemean Games, held in honour of Zeus. Three original columns of the imposing 4th-century-BC Doric Temple…

  • Archaic Temple of Apollo, Dorian columns, Corinth, Greece.

    Ancient Corinth

    Peloponnese

    Within a modern village loom the extensive yet compact ruins of this ancient (mostly Roman) city. Home to legendary Jason of the Argonauts, stealer of the…

  • Abaton of Epidaurus at the sanctuary in Greece. Epidaurus is a ancient city dedicated to the ancient Greek God of medicine Asclepius.; Shutterstock ID 1111555640; your: Barbara Di Castro; gl: 65050; netsuite: digital; full: poi 1111555640

    Epidavros

    Argolis

    In its day Epidavros, 30km east of Nafplio, was famed and revered across the Mediterranean as a place of miraculous healing. Visitors came great distances…

  • The Holocaust Museum, Kalavrita, Greece.

    Museum of the Kalavryta Holocaust

    Peloponnese

    This is a powerful tribute to the residents of Kalavryta who perished in the 13 December 1943 slaughter perpetrated by the German army. It’s a dignified,…

  • Ruins of King Nestor's palace.

    Nestor’s Palace

    Messinia

    The best preserved of all Mycenaean palaces lies 17km north of Pylos and is a thrilling sight. It's described in Homer's 'Odyssey' as the court of the…

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