Administrative Region : Peloponnese
Regional unit : Lakonia
Velanidia is a settlement located at the southeastern tip of the Peloponnese, near Cape Malea. More specifically, it is built at the southernmost tip of the Parnonas mountain range, on the eastern slope of Mount Krithina.
Part of the settlement
History
Velanidia is a settlement of Byzantine times, which is evidenced by the multitude of Byzantine churches scattered throughout the area. Most likely, the settlement that was created around 1718 at the location of 'Paliokamares' is a merger of many smaller and older ones, which is explained by the need of the people of that time to create more organized settlements.
As evidenced by ruins near the church of Agios Panteleimonos, this settlement was definitively abandoned by the natives who moved to the current location of the settlement, which we assume was inhabited around 1770, with the settlement of refugees from Spetses after the Orlofika.
Thus, the unification of the two settlements took place and its development is the current Velanidia which bears clear architectural influences from island settlements, something that justifies and is also justified by the enormous development of the maritime profession in this place.
According to archaeologist Haslak, the ancient city of Side is located here, and more specifically in the bay of Agios Georgios which is located east of Cape Malea.
Ancient city of Side
The city of Side is thought to have taken its name from the daughter of Danaus or according to others, Zarakas, king of Karystos, Euboea, who found refuge in the Malea region, pursued by the goddess Hera. Pausanias mentions that on the cape there were two sanctuaries, of Poseidon to the west and of Apollo to the east, so we can assume that at the point where the chapel of Agios Georgios (Velanidia) is built, perhaps the temple of Apollo was located, which reinforces the existence of Side in this area. Recently, a building from the early Helladic era and abundant ceramic shards were accidentally discovered over a large area.
Small Mount Agios
This place was chosen by important figures of our church such as Agios Georgios and Agios Thomas of Malea to practice asceticism and perform miracles.
The French Colonel Jean-Baptiste Bory de Saint-Vincent returning to his homeland in June 1829, published:
"He appeared to me like a painting by Van Dyck. Flooded with light and behind him dark clouds. Dressed in rags and in the light of the east. I saw him with the binoculars looking at the sun and greeting it...".
Moreover, the area known as the small Mount Athos hosts a multitude of small churches, many of them built in the 12th and 13th centuries.
German World War II Observatory
This is a complex of military buildings constructed in 1942 by the Germans, the construction of which is linked to the policy of the German military leadership to fortify the coasts of the Balkan and Aegean regions. The location of the observatory is strategic, since it allows for the control of navigation, both towards the Aegean region and the sea routes towards the southern Peloponnese (Peloponnese bypass), Crete, etc. The complex consists of the main building (A), the secondary building (B), which housed electromechanical installations (electricity generators, communication, etc.), building (C) (WC building), a large outdoor-open water tank to the west of building A, a lime kiln, which was probably used for the production of lime during the construction phase of the buildings, and four rectangular structures - "bases" east of building A, towards the sea, with unknown use. West of the complex, at least two circular dry stone structures have survived, which may have been used as watchtowers - outposts, which ensured control of access to the complex from the Neapolis area. The complex was constructed with materials both from the area and others transported from Piraeus by ship, and with forced labor from the inhabitants of the villages in the area. These configurations do not refer exclusively to simple military buildings, but the construction is essentially subordinated to the technical requirements for the operation of the observatory. This finding is reinforced by oral testimonies of the residents, who mention the transport from Piraeus of power generators, long copper cables, but also the four "bases" on the eastern side of building A (they could not be considered as coastal gun bases). The other structures in the surrounding area complete the picture of a complex with special military use. At the same time, the German naval observatory complex is a unique example of military engineering projects built by the Germans in order to enable the control of navigation in this sensitive area of the Mediterranean during World War II.
Geography
The landscape is due to geological activities since ancient times, in a rocky and evocative volume within the rock of Agios Ioannis. A short distance away are the ruins of a section of a medieval wall, which served to protect the inhabitants from raids.
A ravine starts from the mountain of Agios Ioannis, progresses through rich vegetation of olive trees and reaches the sea, where there is a beach. At the top of the mountain there is a building built by the Germans during the Occupation, named Ergo, which served as an observatory and contact station with the seas of the Eastern Mediterranean.
Churches and Chapels
Panagia Myrtidiotissa
Assumption of the Virgin Mary
Saint John
Saint Panteleimon
Saint George
Saint Paul
Transfiguration of the Savior
Equal-to-the-Apostles Constantine and Helen
Saint Myros
Panagia Elona
Saint Thomas in Maleo
Saint Kiriaki
Velanidia is distinguished for its Byzantine churches. The single-nave vaulted church of Saint Constantine and Saint Panteleimon and the single-nave church of Saint John Chrysostom present a rich theme of frescoes, in which the representation of the figures is distinguished.
Beaches
Panagia (Gialos)
Agios Georgios
Agios Pavlos
Kalevolos
Cape Maleas
From Velanidia one can visit the northern side of Aktoterio Maleas and its lighthouse, built in 1860 and one of the oldest in the Mediterranean.
Source of texts
Velanidia - Valantis
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Velanidia (Βελανιδιά) Argolida
Velanidia (Βελανιδιά) Arta
Velanidia (Βελανιδιά) Attica
Velanidia (Βελανιδιά) Kozani
Velanidia (Βελανίδια) Lakonia
Velanidia (Βελανιδιά) Magnisia
Velanidia (Βελανιδιά) Messinia
Velanidia (Βελανιδιά) Samos
Greece :
A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M -
N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - X - Y - Z
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