| Lakonia
guide |
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| General
information |
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The
Municipality of Zarakas can be reached either by sea
(at Kyparissi and the harbour of Gerakas) or by road
(from Monemvasia or Molai). The Municipality is extremely
mountainous, with very little cultivated land, scattered
in small plains and valleys of Mt. Parnonas, where they
grow vines, figs, almonds, olives and locust-beans.
Goat and sheep rearing is highly developed and they
produce the famous peppery feta cheese of Zarakas. There
are good prospects for biological animal farming and
bee-keeping.
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On
the coast it has a mild Mediterranean climate, but inland
it is more continental with very cold winters. The region
is an important biotope for birds and is protected by
the NATURA 2000 network. A marvelous route to follow
is that from the harbour of Kyparissi, passing through
Richia, Ahladokambos, Labokambos Pistmata and Harakas
as well as that to Longari, which is high on Koulochera.
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Richia
is a mountain village built on a plain surrounded by
the Parnonas range, 20km from Molai and farming and
animal rearing is the main occupation of the inhabitants.
Its beginnings go back to the mid-Byzantine times.
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the harbour of Gerakas, the sea runs inland creating a
fiord, a water biotope of rare beauty. After Harakas,
Mt. Chionovouni (Snow Mountain) looms up, the tallest
peak of the region (1298 m.) with a path for exploring.
To the east is Paleochora, at hte top of Prophet Elias,
inhabited since Byzantine times. Finally on the road to
Kyparisi we go past the ravine of Stavros, the bay of
Pyliza with its snow white pebbles and reach the settlement
composed of Vrysi, Paralia and Mitropoli. Here we find
the well preserved cave of Asclepios. To the municipality
belong the excellent caves of Vris, Kyklopas (Cyclops)
and Babolas. |
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