History

Mani descends about 30 million years ago from the sea depths like a part of Aegis. Aegis, a part of land stretching from the Ionian to Asia Minor and south of Crete has changed many times, whether as a whole or in part. At some point it would become sea bed and at some other part it emerged forming land, creating mountains. These mountains were gradually destroyed and their materials filled valleys and became the substrate for new mountains to be born. 

At the beginning Pliocene 12 million years ago, the Messenian and Laconian bays are formed so Mani obtained the sea. The period between 5-2 million years ago, the sea of the Ionian started decreasing in size and the submerged lands finally emerged. This explains the sea fossils that can be found in the slopes of Mani. 

During Pleistocene 2 million years ago till 10000 years ago (covering a large time period of Paleolithic age) the coastline of Mani is shaped. 

The area of Mani has been inhabited ever since Paleolithic age (600.000 BC – 100.000 BC). During the Bronze age (2.600 BC – 1.100 BC) and especially during the Mycenaean age (1.600 BC – 1.100 BC) in Mani a lot of famous settlements are mentioned: Messi, Laas, Itilo, Kardamili, Iri, Ippola. With the invasion of the Dorians (1.100 BC) in Peloponnese, Mani followed the same luck as Sparta and the rest of the conquered Laconia. On the 8th or 9th century AD the inhabitants of Mani became Christians. The diocese of Mani is founded and many byzantine Christian temples are established. 

In 1204 AD the Francs are settled in Peloponnese. They built three fortifications on strategic spots to control the area against raids from the defiant Maniots. They built the castle of Passava, Githeio, the castle of Leuktro in Kardamili and the Castle of Great Maini at Tigani. 

With the occupation of Mistras by the Turks in 1460 AD, a new historic era begins for Mani with its presence in the liberating movements during the Turkish occupation. During the Venetian-Turkish wars its presence was continuous and the top manifest of these movements was the epic battle of the Greeks for the much desired freedom. This is when Mani and the defiant Maniots raised the flag of Revolution on 17th March 1821 at the church of Taxiarchi in Areopolis.