Mavrovouni . . . Mavrovouni is situated on a hill with picturesque traditional buildings and about 5 km of wide sandy beach with coarse sand and crystal clear water. The settlement of Mavrovouni was founded on the initiative of Tzanetos Gregorakis (1742-1813) and his three sons to become the seat of the Bey. When Tzanetos Gregorakis became Bey, he built a 1050 square metre castle, called Gołades or Beanika, on the top of the hill in 1782, with a trapezoidal ground plan. Among the simple houses, the castle of Tzannetos Grigorakis stands out with its unsurpassed traditional folk architecture, with pillared towers at the corners, an arched gateway and traces of the two-storey palace and tower houses of other powerful families. Next to the castle of Tzanetou, at the north-eastern end of the settlement of Mavrovouni, at an altitude of about 90 metres, is the Church of the Three Hierarchs - St John. The church belongs to the architectural type of the cruciform domed church with a round arch in the chancel and a narthex. The settlement of Mavrovouni stretches up the hill, while in the village square you will find picturesque taverns where you can enjoy your meal with a view of the inaccessible and imposing towers. The narrow streets that start from the village square lead you to the church and the highest points of the village. Along the coastal road of Mavrovouni you met many hotels, room rentals, restaurants, fish taverns and café-bars offering delicious snacks and fresh seafood. Mavrovouni beach attracts many visitors every year and is ideal for all ages. Along the beach there are organised places with umbrellas and deckchairs, while in other places you can enjoy nature and the open view. It is awarded 2 blue flags every year and is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean, while the "wild" midday winds of the Laconian Gulf are ideal for windsurfing fans. For those who love surfing, there is the possibility of renting windsurfing boards and receiving lessons for beginners. On Mavrovouni beach as well as on the main beaches of Evrotas, Vathi, Selinitsa and Valtaki, the loggerhead turtles lay about 200 nests every summer. For the effective protection of the 30-35 nests of the Mavrovouni beach and the Mediterranean seal, a field station of the volunteers of the association "ARCHELON" has been established. The volunteers move the nests, which are located in endangered places, to protected places and give slide shows to inform the visitors. Picturesque Mavrovouni and the surrounding areas are a good starting point for discovering the beauties and sights of eastern Laconian Mani, which are truly inexhaustible and unique. A wonderful destination by the sea of the Laconian Mani, which combines the stone, the light and the picturesque of the Mani with the characteristics of the islands. Mani, so different and picturesque, invites you to unforgettable excursions in the Laconian land.         Hotel Stavros Tou Notou                                              Mavrovouni Beach        Restaurant KYRA MATOULA, Mavrovouni                         Restaurant THE GARDEN, Mavrovouni