in Areopolis
3
B
John the
Baptist
ecause the frescoes in this
church were painted as late
as 1859, they are still in good condition and provided a picture-book
representation of the Bible for the
illiterate. The wall to the right of
the altar show in sequence; the
Last Supper, the Betrayal, Jesus
before Kaiafas, Pilate “washing his
hands”, followed by Jesus being
mocked and scourged. beneath
this sequence, by the altar, is John
the Baptist depicted in the usual
way of appearing scruffy and
dishevelled. Around the entrance
is the Last Judgement with unfortunate
souls plunging down into hell. Outside
the church has unusual buttressing
for extra support.
4
Vlyhada
Caves
B
eing punted around a series
of stalactite-studded caves
is great fun for both adults and
kids. The Mani’s number 1 tourist
attraction is at Pirgos Dirou, just a
15 minute drive south of Areopolis.
Entrance is 12 euros for adults, 7 for
children. It is also possible to walk
there from Areopolis via the
hamlet of Omales- see “Inside
the Mani on Foot & by Car”.
77 INSIDE the MANI