Sailing Through Greece: Peloponnese, E11 Methoni

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This episode: Peleponnese E11 Methoni is in the Peleponnese we have now moved to the Aegean, and finally have some wind!
The Peloponnese is a peninsula in southern Greece. It is separated from the central part of the country by the Gulf of Corinth. During the late Middle Ages and the Ottoman era, the peninsula was known as the Morea a name still in colloquial use.
The castle of Methoni is an impressive very well preserved castle standing on the beach, overlooking the Ionian Sea it was built by the Venetians in the early 13th century on a rocky promontory. The castle is among the largest ones in the Mediterranean. You’ll be astonished at the bridge stone of 14 arches which connects the castle to the shore instead of the timber one that used to stand in its place before the Venetians ever got there. The celebrated symbol of Venice, the lion of St Marc, dominates the gate of the castle where immured reliefs, emblems, blazons, inscriptions, the huge gates –especially the main gate, above the moat – and the relics of two Ottoman bathhouses have survived. At the south edge of the castle a fortified islet floats. Bourtzi, as it is called, a prison and place of executions during the Turkish Occupation, was built in 1500 and is connected to the Sea Gate of the castle with a paved tiny road. Stroll into the scenic town of Methoni and marvel at the local well preseed architecture.