Cape Malea Peloponnese

Capo Malea is an amazing place! We find it in the most southeastern part of the Laconia region about twenty kilometers from Neapoli, just to give you an idea if you search for the position on google maps.

A place linked to the myth of Ulysses, who lost his way to Ithaca here at Capo Malea where the wind and the storms have witnessed numerous shipwrecks. It is said that the Peloponnese has the shape of a plane tree leaf, a much loved and sacred tree for the Greeks dedicated to the God Jupiter with leaves that resemble the palm of an open hand as in a gesture of blessing. It is very common in Greece and you can find it in several villages often in the center of the main square with sometimes even secular age.

An extremely wild area with steep rocks overlooking the sea that offer a primitive landscape with its own charm. Capo Malea is also called Cape St. Angel or also Piccolo Monte Santo, either for its difficult access, or for the presence of two ancient monasteries, that of Agia Irini and the monastery of Agios Yorghos which still today preserves precious frescoes inside. Byzantines that unfortunately the pirates have seriously damaged. For the more daring, the opportunity to spend even one night and contemplate the incredible starry sky that you can see given the lack of artificial light by staying and asking in advance in one of the modest rooms near the monastery, making a simple offer to the pastor of Agios Nikolaos village.

Between the two monasteries, a path leads to a small pier with emerald green waters, a landing place for those who decide to reach Capo Malea by sea. It is said that this inlet was a safe place for pirates when they wanted to hide and that the species of monk seal find refuge in its caves.

Being a very windy area and where the sea sometimes releases all its power, Capo Malea has been considered since the times of ancient Greek literature a mystical point where the meeting between the Aegean Sea and the Ionian Sea has given rise to legends and judged as a place to retire in solitude to meditate and purify body and soul.

From Capo Malea and above all from the two monasteries the only ones left (it is said that in the past there were about twenty small Mount Athos just to give you an idea), the view is to leave you breathless! A still uncontaminated landscape and almost as in its origins with the beautiful island of Kythira in the distance, all with a crazy view of the majestic and mysterious sea.

Direction Neapoli and continue towards Agios Nikolaos. Leaving Agios Nikolaos you will walk along a road surrounded by fields of aloe and olive trees following the signs for the Fossil Forest. With the car, enter the Petrified Forest area by a dirt road, cross it all the way until you find signs for Agia Irini / Capo Malea (there are signs with typical indications for trekking), get to the end where you will find an open space where you can leave the vehicle and continue on foot through an arid and rocky landscape, however well signposted but important to know it quite challenging (if you suffer from vertigo I would say no) so we recommend that you do it if you are not expert in walking with a guide who knows the territory.

Also in this case if you want to write or call us that we will put you in contact with our friend Francesca who will be happy to accompany you in this splendid and unique adventure.

A big thank you always to our Franci who in addition to her availability in making these little corners of Paradise known will be able to offer you her delightful apartments on the indescribable island of Elafonissos.

https://www.meraviglioseisolegreche.com/isole-greche/elafonissos/il-vecchio-frantoio.aspx