Ancient Kardamili
Kardamili is a village of outer Mani which is located in the area of Lefktros in the municipality of Western Mani. It is 37 km south-east of Kalamata. Its name comes from the plenty of cardamoms grew in the area. In previous years its name was Skardamoula. Kardamili, city of ancient Laconia (or Lacedaemonia in Greek), is considered to have existed since the pre-historic age. It is mentioned in the epic poems by ancient Greek writer Homer as one of the seven cities that Agamemnon promised to grant Achilles in order to placate him after the extortion of Briseis during the Trojan War, and persuade him into returning to the battle.
Only Kardamili and Kiparissia out of all the cities of Mycenaen Kingdom have kept their names the same throughout the centuries.
Mourtzinos Tower and ruins of Vardea tower
Kardamili – Ancient history
At first the city wasn’t part of Lacedaemon partnership (which was renamed into the Lacedaemon Free Partnership after the 22 BC) because after the Battle of Leuctra (371 BC) the area isn’t ruled by Spartans. The Thebes king Epaminondas decided Kardamili was ruled by Messinians.
The city becomes a member of the partnership in 146 BC when the Roman emperor Augustus gave Kardamili to Spartians to use as a seaport. Gytheo and other coastal cities were separated from Sparta. Kardamili was connected with Sparta through the Royal Road pieces of it are still visible today.
Northern from modern city, at the entrance of the village, is the Ancient Kardamili along with the complex of Troupakis-Mourtzinos which was famed clans that ruled the area during post-Byzantine era. Inside the complex is the church of St. Spyridon, which is a family church of Mourtzinos. The erection of the complex is considered to have happened in late 1600s. During this period, Michael Palaiologos, primogenitor of the Mourtzinos clan, appears at the area.
Complex of Troupakis-Mourtzinos in old Kardamili
Kardamili – Medieval history
During the reign of Troupakides (18th-19th century) there is an intense pirated activity in Kardamili. Even during the years when Ioannis Kapodistrias was the Prime Minister of Greece (1827-1831), Kardamili was still a refuge for foreign pirates.
On January 6 1821, Theodor Kolokotronis arrives from island Zakynthos and stays at the tower of Troupakis for the next months in order to organize the Greek rebellion for freedom.
St. Spyridon – Family church of Troupakis clan
Dioskouri tombs
Following the path from Ancient Kardamili to the area of St. Sophia, oneself can find two big rectangular stones attached to a rock. This is said to be the grave of Dioskuri brothers (Castor and Polluxor or in Greek, Polydeuces), mythical children of the queen of Sparta, Leda and god Zeus.
But based on a different tradition, the graves belong to Nichomachos and Gorgasos sons of the healer Machaon that took part in the Trojan War.
The grave of Dioscuri brothers
Kardamili is a beautiful village that attracts lots of tourists. On the coastal road but also on the central street there are plenty of shops filled with visitors, especially during summertime. The calm Mediterranean climate allows Kardamili to have a 10 months’ vacation period where visitors can stay in spacious hotels and villas.
On the western side of Kardamili is the pebble-filled beach Ritsa, while outside the village but still really close there are two more breath-taking beaches: the Dolphins beach and the Foneas beach.
Meropi island
400m from the port there is a small but beautiful island called Meropi. It is 35 acres big and has ruins of buildings and walls from the post-byzantine era, while at the same time it has a small temple which was built in 1779 AD. The Meropi island was inhabited till 1818 AD by Venetians.
Translated by Danai Menounos