Typical Maniot "towerhouse" in Flomochori village, eastern ("Lakonian" or "Mesa"="Inside") Mani, Peloponnese, Greece
This kind of "Towerhouses" is probably the most important characteristic of the region of Mani and you can see some them almost in each and every Maniat village. They were between 3-5 stores high, and belonged to families. The height depended on the "significance" of the family and they were completely constructed with stone. Sometimes it took more than 20 years to build them, that's why, often you can see a stone with a date on each floor, showing the year each floor was finished. These towerhouses had a small door, and very few, tiny windows. They served for defensive purposes, not only against "outsiders", but also against other Maniat families from other villages, or even other families from the same village. Vendetta was powerful in Mani for many centuries, and still, even in the 21st century, has the form of "unwritten law", for many of the inhabitants of the regions (similar thing happens in some regions in Crete). This photo was taken in Flomohori, a village where you can see some 5-6 more of these imposing towerhouses. It belongs to "Prosiliaki" Mani (Προσηλιακή Μάνη= "Towards the sun"= "East" Mani). Mani is divided in 2 major regions. The "Mesa" (="Inside") Mani is the part that belongs to Lakonia Prefecture and the "Exo" (="Outside") Mani, the part that belongs to Messinia Prefecture. "Mesa" Mani is divided in 2 more regions: The "Prosiliaki" (East) Mesa Mani and the "Aposkieri" ("Shadowed"= West) Mesa Mani.
Size: 5616px × 3751px
Location: Flomochori village, Eastern ("Lakonian") Mani, Peloponnese, Greece
Photo credit: © Hercules Milas / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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