The Argolida and the Peloponnese are filled with beautiful settings, archaeological sites and great historic monuments. Use Tolo as a base to get to know Greece. Since the archaeological sites and the places of interest in Argolida and the Peloponnese are too many to count or fit in one page, following is a list of ideas and it's our way to inspire you to explore Greece.
The Acropolis of Ancient Asini or otherwise known as Kastraki is located beside Tolo's Sandy Beach, within easy walking distance of the town. The citadel was inhabited from the 5th millennium B.C. until 600 A.D. The first mention of Asini was made by Homer, in the Iliad and stated that Assini, Argos, Tiryns and Epidavros participated in the Trojan War with a large number of ships leaving from Asini harbour. The first excavations of the Citadel and the Lower City were made by the Swedish Archaeological Expedition (1922-1930) and continued in the 1970s.
On the road from Nafplio to Argos, built on a rocky hill is Ancient Tiryns, one of the oldest citadels of the Mycenaen era. The city of ancient Tiryns was a centre of great significance in the Mycenaen era. Visit the archaeological site to see the legendary Cyclopean Walls, the tunnels and the palace decorated with beautiful muralls.
Argos is one of the oldest cities in Europe and the oldest continually inhabited city in Europe. In a close proximity from Tolo it is well worth a visit to see the castle of Larissa or the monastery of "Panagia tou Kastrou" under it or the Byzantine Museum of Argolida housed in the Barracks of Kapodistrias. Today Argos is a modern city and a culture & trading centre of the Argolida county.
The ancient theater was built between 340 BC and 330 BC by the architect Polycleitus the Younger as Pausanias mentions. The theater was built for the entertainment of patients seeking healing at the Temple of Asklepios the god of healing and medicine. The viewing of theatre was also considered a remedy, it was believed that it had beneficial effects on the mental and physical health of patients. The ancient theater has a capacity of 13,000 spectator and is divided into two parts. One section of 21 rows of seats for the people and below that another section of 34 seats for the priests and rulers. The archaeologist P. Kavadias discovered the ancient theater under the auspices of the Athens Archaeological Society between the period of 1870-1926. A few years later, in 1938 he staged the first performance in the ancient theater of Epidavros.
The modern town's location used to be the ancient city of Epidavros that is why Epidavros is filled with antiquities and findings. Also a small theatre dadicated to Dionysos has survived from the ancient city of Epidavros an is located on the "Nisi (Island in Greek)" peninsula. It is estimated that it was built in the 4th century B.C. the excavation began after 23 centuries in 1971 and work is still being done for its full restoration. Ruins of the ancient city have been found in the areas around the theatre and part of the city was found in the sea.
Approximately 9 km southwest of the city of Argos close to the springs of the Erasinos river and built on the ancient road that connects Argos with Tegea, is the Greek Pyramid of Hellinikon. It was probably some sort of observatory or outpost. Other sources state that the pyramid was a "polyandry", that is a mass grave, while according to others it was a fryktoria, a tower used to send messages with fire.
Located in the prefecture of Corinthia about an hour and a half hours from Athens in the middle of the most organized vineyards in Greece and the Balkans, is the town of Nemea. Nemea took its name from the nymph Nemea, daughter of the Asopos river, that crosses and still to this day irrigates the valley and the vineyards. The wine of the region has been famous since antiquity. Visit the ancient temple of Nemean Zeus and see the stadium where the Nemean Games were held.
Mycenae was an ancient city of Argolida near the mountain Tritos located across from the Argolic Bay. The site includes a series of impressive structures that cause awe with their size and elegance. Visitors can admire the “Lions Gate” with the huge sculptures showing two upright lions, tread onto beehive tombs and see the imposing “cyclopean walls“. In the archaeological site and within walking distance is the imposing “Treasury of Agamemnon”, where gold objects and the famous “Mask of Atreus’, a gold male facial template were found.
Due to its geographical position, Ancient Corinth grew into an important nautical, commercial and cultural center during antiquity. The difficulty in transporting goods overland pushed the tyrant of Corinth Periander to build the famous "diolkos"a system of logs used to transport ships from one the Aegean to the Ioanian Sea. The ancient city of Corith was one of the wealthiest cities in ancient Greece, it had great power and took part in many historical events that influenced the course of history for Greece.
The dream of building the Corinth Canal was a challenge that lasted 2300 years but due to lack of knowledge and technology made it impossible until 1881 when the construction began. The canal cuts through the Isthmus of Corinth at a lenght of 6346 m. Its width at sea level is 24.6 m. and its depth varies between 7,50 to 8 m. The total volume of soil that was extracted for the construction reached 12 million cubic meters. Today the Corinth Canal is an international marine transportation hub and serves around 12,000 ships a year, of all nationalities.
Ancient Olympia is located in the northwest part of the Peloponnese and is the birthplace of the modern Olympics. The archaeological site of ancient Olympia is a place of grandure with many things to see, such as the "agora" (the ancient market), the stadium where the Olympic Games took place or the museum housing finds from the archaeological site.
Unique and unscathed by the passing of time, a charming composition of the eastern coast of Laconia, Monemvasia is a medieval, Byzantine and Venetian castle. Feel the magic as you go through the big gate of the castle of Monemvasia. It is said that residents from ancient Sparta fled here during hte 6th century. The castle changed hands several times, it was under Byzantine and sometimes by the Venetians occupation.
Mystras is located close to the site of ancient Sparta. The Byzantine city knew times of great power, during the Byzantine era and was the centre of the Despotate of Morias. Built on a hill it provides for a gorgeous scene with old mansions and monasteries & churches filling it. See the well preserved churches with painted murals and get a feel for Byzantine art and culture.
The city of Sparta is located at a distance of 129 km or about 1.5 hours by car from Tolo. The borders of the Lakonia region remain almost the same since antiquity. Inhabited since the Neolithic era around 6.000-3.000 B.C., Laconia took part in history and had a great impact throughout the ancient world. According to tradition, the first inhabitants were Leleges, later mixed with the Ionians and Achaeans. From the Mycenaean era, a number of settlements left behind and abundance of ruins.
Kalavryta is one known for its skii center and people visit during the winter months for an amazing holiday experience. Visit and see the of the town or take the rack and pinion railway from Kalavryta to Diakopto a beautiful ride that passes through mountains and tunnels or visit the wel known Cave of Lakes. Also see the monument dedicated to the men executed and the destruction of the town during the German occupation.
Inhabited for about 3,000 years the capital city of Greece, Athens is an amazing cultural centre. The city new great growth arounf the 6th century B.C. and went through it's golden age in the %th century B.C. The world famous Acropolis, a jewel and trademark of Athens sits atop the hill overlooking the city. The city is the most densely populated city in Greece. Visit the New Archaeological Museum of Athens or the many monuments and places of interest scattered around the city, if in the area a visit or tour of Athens is a must.
The town of Hydra is built around the natural harbor where imposing mansions, traditional houses with flower filled gardens and high walls and picturesque paths follow the natural terrain. Gift shops, cafes, pastry shops and restaurants along the waterfront welcome holidaymakers to the island where in the absence of wheeled vehicles use nice donkeys for their transportation. At the port of Hydra, one of the most popular travel destinations, numerous sailboats and cruisers gather carrying visitors from around the world.
Laid out in the eastern part of the island is the beautiful town of Spetses with many tourists and remarkable cultural activity. The renowned Dapia, the harbour, classic mansions and houses, flower filled gardens, ornate pebble mosaics and beautiful churches adorn the town. In the most romantic corner of Spetses, in the Old Port with the shipyards is where speedboats and yachts dock while café bars, taverns and luxury restaurants welcome visitors. A special experience is to walk or ride one of the pretty carriages from Dapia to the Old Port.
The neoclassical charm of the main town, the pine-covered hills, the tiny coves and the easy access from Athens (either from Piraeus or from the coast of Troezen) are the strong advantages of Poros. The tiny main town and port, maintains its pure, aged charm. The simple neoclassical buildings, the narrow streets leading to the centre of the town and, above all, the beauty of the scenery will make you feel that you are coming back to a favorite holiday destination. It is worth walking in the old neighborhoods, the “Old Town” as the locals call it. The small square next to the church of St. George and the old aqueduct is particularly picturesque.
