Megali Mantineia

Megali Mantineia Μεγάλη Μαντίνεια
Location
Megali Mantineia
Coordinates	36°57′N 22°10′E / 36.95°N 22.167°E / 36.95; 22.167Coordinates: 36°57′N 22°10′E / 36.95°N 22.167°E / 36.95; 22.167
Government
Country:	Greece
Region:	Peloponnese
Regional unit:	Messenia
Municipality:	West Mani
Municipal unit:	Avia
Population statistics (as of 2001)
Village
- Population:	155
Other
Time zone:	EET/EEST (UTC+2/3)
Auto:	KM

Megali Mantineia (Greek: Μεγάλη Μαντίνεια) or Megali Mandinia is a mountain settlement in the municipal unit of Avia, Messenia, Greece. As of 2001, it had a population of 180 for the village and the municipal district and sits at 200 m above sea level. Many of its residents only stay there during the summer months.

Nearest places

• Sotiranika, northeast
• Touba, east
• Kampos Avias, southeast
• Kato Doloi, south
• Akrogiali, southwest
• Avia, west
• Mikri Mantineia, northwest

Population

Year	Population
1851	413
1879	469
1907	424
1991	164
2001	155

Location and transportation

The Kalamata-Areopoli Road (uncertainly GR-7) is 3 km to the west. Megali Mantineia is located southwest of Sparta, north of Areopoli and SSE of Kalamata.

The village has about 4 km of paved road, 6 km of gravel road and has about 5 km of hydro and phone lines.

The village today

Megali Mantineia has five tavernas and a mini market and several churches.

Geography and history

Ano Madinia or Ano Chora was first mentioned in 1463, in a contradiction with the older Madinies beach. In the mid 18th century, it had an important settlement in the area of Zarnata (Ζαρνάτα). It had 59 family (around 277 people) in 1704. In the late 18th century, it ran a nearby area as a small settlement named Mikri Madinia, with sources with the older Ano Mantineia which was renamed to Megali Mantineia.

The village joined the municipality of Avia in 1836. From the mid 19th century, a part of the population began to shift into the seaside areas including Palaiochora (now Avia), Archontiko and Akrogiali. As Meg. Madinia began to accept important stability in population. 413 in 1851, 469 in 1879 and 424 in 1907. In 1914, it became an area of the community of Megali Mantineia which included the new settlement. The area became a part of the beachside Avia in 1924 and renamed to Avia in 1926 as well as its community.

After World War II and the Greek Civil War, most of its inhabitants moved into the field villages of Avia, Kambos, Megali Mantineia and Sotirianika as well as Kalamata and other cities. In Meg. Madinia relocated several inhabitants from the mountainous villages of Taygetos mostly Altomira, Pigadia and Gaitses, those cover the present day population. After 1980, several Europeans, mostly the English and the German bought properties around the old tower houses.

In the village runs a cultural council. It has a small tourist destinations, rented rooms and village taverns.

Points of interests

• Koskaras/Sandava cave
• Katafygi, an inaccessible cave
• The deserted settlement Koka
• The old school, built in 1743-53

Sources

• Theodoros Belitsos Ta Altomira tis Exo Manis (Τα Αλτομιρά της Έξω Μάνης (Ιστορία-Οικογένειες-Τοπωνύμια) = Altomira in Outer Mani (History-Family-Toponyms), 1999

See also

• List of places in the Messinia prefecture

References

External links

• Megali Madinia at the GTP Travel Pages