The story of Gythio (or Githeio) in Peloponnese (Greece) begins with a love story. According to the legend, on the small island of Cranae (or Kranai), Paris and Helen spent their first night before fleeing to Troy. This island, known today as Marathonisi, is the ancient settlement of Gythio. The city was an important port until it was destroyed in the 4th century AD, probably by an earthquake. After the earthquake, Gythio was abandoned. It remained a small village throughout the Byzantine and Ottoman eras. Its importance increased when Tzannetos Grigorakis built his tower on Cranae and more people came and settled here. During the Greek Revolution, refugees flooded Mani and made Gythio a large town. Today it is the main harbour of Mani and Sparti and it is also considered the capital of the region of Mani.
The town is built amphitheatrically at the eastern foot of the ancient Larysio Mountain, which today is called by the locals Koumaros and just above the port. It has an island atmosphere and a manorial ambience. The long walk along with the port, the impressive neoclassical buildings, the wide streets and the unique colour of the town win the visitor from the first moment.
A WALK IN THE TOWN
But let’s take a walk in the historic town starting from Panagiotarou Venetsavaki Square, where the beautiful and elegant building of the Parthenagogio (Girl’s School) is located. The building is a work of the famous architect Ziller in 1886 and today houses the Cultural Center of the Municipality. Walking a few metres to the beach, we find the equally beautiful building of the Town Hall, built in 1891, which houses the Ancient Greek and Byzantine Collection of Githio.
Continuing parallel to the sea along Vasileos Pavlou Street and heading towards the port, we meet the impressive building of Aktaion Hotel. The building has traditional architecture and the Ministry of Culture has designated it a “preserved building of excellent beauty”. Its neoclassical line makes it the most beautiful and characteristic building of Gythio. At this point, it is worth taking a detour and walk along Laryssiou Street, parallel to the waterfront and behind Aktaion, to see some of the most impressive houses in the town. The mansions on the street have unique architecture and used to belong to the rich families of Githio.
From Laryssiou Street we return to Vasileos Pavlou Street and walk until Petrompeii Mavromichali Square. The square is in the middle of the fishermen’s port and is famous for its fish taverns. From the square, at the end of Grigoraki Street, you could see the picturesque church of Agios Georgios and its imposing bell tower.
MARATHONISI
The last stop during a visit to Githio should be the small island of Marathonisi. A small pier connects the southern end of the city of Gythio with this small island, the ancient Cranae. The name Cranae (or Kranai) originated from the Greek word kranos (which means helmet). According to the legend (we have mentioned above), Paris during his stay on the island with Eleni lost his helmet and gave the island its name. On Marathonisi you could visit the small church of Agios Petros, the octagonal lighthouse and the impressive Tzannetakis Tower. The Tower was constructed in 1829 and today operates as the Historical and Ethnological Museum of Mani.
TRAVICHTI
A very popular traditional dish of Mani is travichti. It is a fried pita simply made with flour, yeast, salt, and olive oil, which does not absorb much oil during frying. In Mani, it is eaten as breakfast with honey or together with meat and cheese as a snack or meal. In the centre of Gythio, at the Travichti grill shop (Vasileos Georgiou & Orestou), you can try the best travichti pita in Mani. You can combine the cheese or meat of your choice with the pita, but the most classic combination is travichti with gruyere (graviera) cheese and a pork skewer (souvlaki) or salted meat, which is called sigklino in Mani.
OTHER GASTRONOMIC DELIGHTS
Apart from trying travichti, no visit to Gythio is complete without eating in one of the famous fish taverns of the port. Although there are many good taverns, our choice is Trata (Prothypourgou Tzanni Tzannetaki). A family tavern with traditional Greek dishes, excellent fresh fish and unique flavours (do not forget to try the traditional Mani pies). Outside the area of the port, another excellent solution for dining is the restaurant Diosmos (Ioannou Grigoraki 20), where, in a very aesthetically pleasing space, the traditional Greek cuisine acquires modern elements, and the result is unique. Finally, the excellent Fino patisserie (Vasileos Pavlou 23) offers a range of excellent sweets but also fresh handmade ice cream in a wide variety of flavours.
Before leaving Gythio, however, it is almost obligatory to visit one of the best traditional pastry workshops of the Peloponnese. Manolakos (Vasileos Georgiou 5)pastry shop has been making pasteli, a kind of sesame candy, since 1902 with a recipe that dates back to the years of Homer. Always fresh, delicious and in sixty different variations, it is a healthy snack for every hour of the day. Apart from pasteli, here you will also find (among a wide variety of traditional products) excellent lalaggia, which are a kind of fried pancakes and a tradition in Messinian and Laconian Mani.
BEACHES NEAR GYTHIO
Mavrovouni, a huge sandy beach which is south of Gythio, has three campsites and areas with sunbeds and umbrellas. Also south, at a distance of about 13 km from the city, is the beautiful Vathi beach. It is a long, sandy beach with pine and tamarisk trees. North of the city and very close to its centre is the beach of Selinitsa. It is also sandy, has organised sections, and several hotels. Finally, the most famous beach is Valtaki. You will recognise it from the wreck of the ship Dimitrios, which has lain on the shore since 1981. Valtaki is a sandy beach with crystal-clear shallow waters, without sunbeds and a restaurant.
LAS HOTEL AND SPA
An excellent choice for accommodation in Githio is Las Hotel and Spa, a newly built 4* hotel situated at the town’s centre. The hotel combines modern furnishing and design with luxury in every room and a well-organised wellness area. Also, the area of the swimming pool and the roof garden of the hotel, with a panoramic view of the city and the port, is absolutely exceptional.
Gythio is an ideal destination for all seasons. Island atmosphere, traditional colour, sea air, nobility and good food are the combination that makes Gythio unique.
