The Area

The Mani Peninsula (romanized: Mánē), also long known by its medieval name Maina or Maïna, is a geographical and cultural region in southern Greece. It is home to the Maniots, who claim descent from the ancient Spartans.

The main towns of Mani are Gytheio and Areopoli. Mani is the central of the three peninsulas extending south from the Peloponnese. To the east lies the Laconian Gulf and to the west the Messenian Gulf. The Mani Peninsula forms a natural continuation of the Taygetos mountain range, the western backbone of the Peloponnese.