A magnificent haven of peace in the Peloponnese, between mountains and sea

Our century-old house, built of Mani stone and restored by a renowned architect, is located at the foot of the Taygetus mountain range in the Mani region, at an altitude of 650 metres (the highest peak, Profitis Ilias, reaches 2400 m). Boasting a magnificent 1500 m² terraced garden with breathtaking sea views and accompanied only by birdsong, it is an ideal place to recharge, stargaze, admire sunsets, and reconnect with nature. The upper terrace, where we take most of our meals, overlooks both the sea and the garden. Located in a small hamlet between Prosilio and Tseria, the house comprises three terraces, two bedrooms, and two bathrooms. The separate annex includes a bedroom and a bathroom with an old holy water font as a sink, and a small terrace overlooking the fruit trees. The living room, with its panoramic views and furniture sourced from local flea markets and Athens, is bathed in light. The kitchen is small but well-equipped. The hamlet, due to its elevation, remains cool in summer, especially in the evenings, but air conditioning and fans are available for hot days. The surrounding area offers countless walks, including the spectacular Vyros Gorge, just five minutes away, located just past the charming village of Tseria (5 km), where you'll find our unmissable local taverna. The house and its surroundings are particularly inspiring: I wrote my latest book here, and my husband, a composer, wrote a string quartet. The house is a 15-minute drive from Kardamyli, the pearl of the Messinian Mani, famous among other things for having been the home of the writer Patrick Leigh Fermor, an adventurer and legendary figure who travelled throughout Greece before settling here. The village, overlooked by the towering peaks of Mount Taygetus, is full of cafes, excellent restaurants, beaches, shops selling everything from olive oil to pottery and clothing, as well as a very good bookshop. Despite the influx of tourism, it is a place that has managed to preserve its authenticity. Around Kardamyli are numerous perched mountain villages, Byzantine churches, the fishing port of Agios Nikolaos, and in the far south, in the wilder and more rugged landscape of the peninsula, Cape Tainaron, reputed to be the entrance to the Underworld where, according to the Ancient Greeks, one communicated with the dead. The region also boasts a veritable treasure trove of archaeological sites (5 of the 20 Greek monuments listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites are located in the Peloponnese): an hour's drive away lies the extraordinary ancient city of Messene, with its theatre, agora, and stadium. The fortified medieval town of Mystras stands on a hill above Sparta, while Olympia, Corinth and the must-see Mycenae and Epidaurus are only a few hours' drive away.