Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TOP OF CHAPTER
MandrakiΜανδράκι
POP 660
Lapped by gentle waters, this pretty, whitewashed port spreads itself elegantly across the
hillside climbing up to the ruins of the impressive
kastro
. Its winding backstreets dotted
with black-garbed pensioners flicking worry beads, fruit spilling colourfully from grocers'
shop fronts and a host of seafood joints and aromatic tavernas will leave you spellbound.
By night the place drips with charm, the church beneath the castle lighting up like a
candle.
Sights
Towering over Mandraki is the 14th-century cliff-top
Moni Panagias Spilianis
(Virgin of
the Cave; admission by donation; 10.30am-3pm)
. The views from the top are worth the
climb. Turn right at the end of the main street to reach the signposted stairs up to the mon-
astery. On the way up, you'll pass the
Cultural Museum
(admission €3;
10am-3pm May-
Sep)
, which has traditional objects like a bed, grinding tools and clothing.
Near the seafront and beneath the original cave of the monastery lies the
Church Mu-
seum
( 10am-3pm May-Sep)
, with glittering ecclesiastic objects from churches
around the island. Altars, cups, fonts and objects dating back as far as the 1st century AD
are crammed in here.
In town, the brand-new
Archaeological Museum
(admission €3; 10am-3pm May-Sep)
has an interesting collection of Hellenistic and Roman pottery and sculpture, as well as a
short film about the island's history.
Above Mandraki,
Paleokastro
(Old Kastro), the impressive Mycenaean-era acropolis,
has restored 4th-century Cyclopean walls built from massive blocks of volcanic rock that
you can perch atop for breathtaking views. There are good explanatory notes in English
throughout the site. Follow the route signposted '
kastro',
heading southwest from the
monastery steps. You can drive here too.
Hohlaki
is a black-stone beach on the western side of Moni Panagias Spilianis, and is
reached by a paved footpath around the headland. Don't attempt this walk in bad weather.
The small sandy
Mandraki beach
, halfway between the port and the village centre, is
popular for swimming but sometimes covered in seaweed.
