Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Messinia. The prize pieces are the incomplete frescoes from the throne rooms at Nestor's
Palace and the Linear B tablets (the latter are copies).
Buses from Pylos to Kyparissia stop at Hora.
BIRDWATCHING & THE GIALOVA LAGOON
The best, and most accessible, birdwatching site in the Peloponnese is the Gialova
Lagoon. Between September and March the lagoon is home to up to 20,000 assor-
ted waterbirds, while many others pause here on their spring migration between
Africa and Eastern Europe.
The Hellenic Ornithological Society has recorded here 265 of around 400 spe-
cies found in Greece, including 10 species of duck and eight types of heron. Waders
descend in their thousands, along with flamingos and glossy ibises. Birds of prey
include the internationally threatened imperial eagle, plus ospreys, peregrine fal-
cons and harriers.
The lagoon and associated wetlands cover 700 hectares at the northern end of
Navarino Bay, separated from the bay by a narrow spit of land leading out to Kory-
phasion Hill. They are fed by two freshwater streams that flow into the reed beds
on the northern and eastern flanks of the lagoon and empty into Navarino Bay, be-
low Koryphasion Hill.
The wetlands and surrounding coastal habitats were declared a protected area
in 1997. The old pump house, former nerve centre of an ill-considered drainage
scheme, has been converted into an information centre and is the starting point for
two walking trails that guide visitors through a range of habitats.
OLYMPIA ΟΛΥΜΠΙΑ
Most people come to Olympia for one reason: to visit the historically important and im-
pressive site of Ancient Olympia, birthplace of the Olympic Games, in the region's west-
ern prefecture. Elia (Ελιά) is otherwise largely an agricultural area.
Ancient Elia took its name from the mythical King Helios. Its capital was the city of
Elis, now a forgotten ruin on the road from Gastouni to Lake Pinios. When the Franks ar-
rived, they made Andravida the capital of their principate of Morea. Pyrgos is the dull
modern capital.
Getting There & Around
There are regular bus services into the region. From Pyrgos, there are seven buses daily
to Athens (€27.70, four hours), 10 daily to Patra (€10, two hours), and two daily to
