Koroni en de Peloponnesos



Location
The Peloponnesos is the most southest part of the continent of Greece. From Athens , you cross the Channel of Korinthos to the Peloponnesos. The peninsula is bounded by the Wave of Korinthos and the Ionic sea and consists of 7 provinces with old cities as Sparta , Nafplio, Tripoli and Olympia . The Peloponnesos is approximately half as large as the Netherlands and has only 1.5 million inhabitants. There are lots of mountains: The highest mountain (2407m) is situated in the Taigetosgebergte. Other mountains in the area are the Kyllini (2376m) and the Helmos (2341m)

Koroni
In the province Messinia lies Koroni, the city where the project Matariada are realized. Koroni lies in the southwest of the Peloponnesos, at the Wave of Messini. Previously Koroni, together with Methoni, was named �The eyes of Venice �. It lies at the foot of a castle built in 1206. In the castle the enormous Timiou Prodromou-monastery has been established. By the gate of the monastery, you see a Byzantine chapel and the foundations of an Artemis-temple. The city self (1830) has been built against the hill and has the typical Greek atmosphere: narrow streets and many beautiful views on the harbour and the sea. Koroni only has1600 inhabitants. It has superior beaches and a lovely boulevard with many terraces and restaurants. Many cosy cities and bars are in the direct surroundings. To the south, you find for instance Methoni, Finikounda, Pylos with its bay of Navarino and the Palace of Nestor . In the north you will find Chrani, Petalidi with its lovely square and balding mata, the capital of Messinia, with the cathedral, the archaeological museum and the pleasant daily market.

The name
The peninsula has the name of Pelops, according to the myth the son of Tantalus. He was sacrificed by his father to please the gods. Pelops resurrected from death and came back to the Peloponnesos in good health. He made such an impression that they named the area � the Island of Pelops �.

Climate
De Peloponnesos has a soft an comfortable climate with generous winters and hot dry summers. The driest month is July with approximately 28 degrees. In the winter its rainy with an average minimum temperature of 8 degrees Celsius.

Climate table is found here
Actual information is found here

Vegetation
A large part of the peninsula is covered with olive trees and forest. They give the Peloponnesos a green appearance. A lot of fruit grows on the peninsula: cherries, plums, apricots, peaches, grenade apples, pears and figs. All these fruits are offered for low prices at markets and shops near the road. You know the large olives as �balding mata-olive�, the small olives are pressed to make fine olive oil. Still the olives and fruits are a very important source of income.