Far from the ancient stones of Athens lies another Mavrovouni. Let’s journey to the Mani Peninsula to discover a different tale. This Mavrovouni isn’t in Athens. It’s a village south of Gytheio. The name means “black mountain” in Greek.
Mavrovouni sits on a steep hill of dark rock. This hill lies between Kumaros and the Vardhounia river plain. The area is known for wines, olives and oranges. Imagine the scent of citrus in the air.
This Mavrovouni has a long history. People settled here in the early Bronze Age. Early Helladic ceramics have been found. Mycenaean chamber graves are carved into the rock.
The modern village of Mavrovouni was established in 1782. Tzanetos Grigorakis built Goulades castle on the hill. The villagers were not Christian until the 9th century. For centuries, powerful families controlled the area. The Mavromichalis family rose to prominence. Petrobey Mavromichalis even hoped to create his own principality.
In the 19th century, autonomous Greeks and an Albanian tribe lived here. The Zapata tribe resisted Ibrahim Pasha’s troops. They held their ground in the woody hills.
Today, Mavrovouni’s economy relies on olive oil, fishing and tourism. But Mavrovouni is also known for its beach.
The Mavrovouni beach is a protected site. Loggerhead sea turtles nest here. Archelon protects the turtle nests. The beach is about 5 km long with clear water.
Mavrovouni beach is perfect for swimming. You can find camping and rooms to rent. The strong winds make it ideal for windsurfing during the summer. So Mavrovouni offers history and natural beauty. It is a place where you can relax.