Thursday 18 September 2014

Koroni



 
Standing on top of a mountain ridge, above an elaiona - an olive field - our first sighting of Koroni took our breath away.
 
 
 


 
Founded in ancient times, the town is nestled on a hill below an impressive Venetian castle and reaches to the edge of the gulf.

 


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The town was founded in ancient times and is mentioned by Pausanias, the ancient Greek geographer.
 




 
 Perched on the edge of the cliff, the castle is easier to spot in this photograph
 
 
 
 
 
 
a mass of red ceramic tiles topping the white houses; the green silver of the olive trees; and the blue of the sea - a typically Greek image


 

 
The waterfront is a mass of cafes and restaurants
 
 

 
 
Some gorgeous old buildings, even if in need of some restoration
 
 
 
 
 
 a side view
 
 
 
 

 
pale, mellowed old stone
 
 
 



the arches providing much needed shade
 



 

 
The village square
 

 
 
 

 
with a monument that pays homage to the Mediterranean diet
 
 
 
 

 
On the other side of the square another gorgeous stone building, very similar to the previous one
 

 
 

 
housing a cafe on the ground floor
 

 
 

 
with a nice piece of driftwood in a large amphorae placed amongst the tables and chairs
 
 

 

 
a closer look
 

 
 


also a closer look at the balcony stone supports



 

 
By the sea front
 

 
 

 
a closer view of the castle
 
 

 


 
a pomegranate tree
 
 
 


some of the fruit had split revealing the red jewel-like seeds inside.

 
 


We left the sea front and started exploring the narrow lanes





The Little Perfume store






This building houses the town's gallery, so we had to go in. There was an exhibition of a Dutch artist, Gertrude de Veldt









 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 


Lots of steps to negotiate as with all towns built on a hill





It wasn't lunchtime yet, so the restaurants were empty




 
one of the town's many bakeries
 
 
 
 

 
 cobbled streets with white-washed edges




 
We then came upon this shop
 
 

 
 
 
 
that sold olives, olive oil, draft wine, pulses, herbs and spices





old crates for shelves and the photographs of the original owners in pride of place



 


A barber's shop





more steps





one of the churches




 
we then started the long climb to the higher parts of the town
 
 
 


the sea never far away




 
tiny alleyways
 

 
 
 
 
 
the road snaking round, up the hill
 

 
 

 
very quiet during the middle of the day, people sheltering from the midday sun
 

 
 

 
this was a nail bar, if I remember right
 
 
 

 
We then joined the rest of our party for some lunch
 
 

 
 


We chose a place by the sea-font that afforded great views of the bay and the choppy sea










 
The road to the castle was lined with olive trees
 

 
 


spectacular views from the arched entrance




 
looking closer
 

 
 
 

 
and closer
 
 
 


the whole bay at our feet

 
 

 
 
 
 




4 comments:

  1. A really lovely looking lively place. You seem to be having quite a tour. The Amstel crates brought back memories - in the early days we used to drink Fix - does that still exist?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Fix closed down Olga, too much competition from foreign brands, I think. But, apparently, in the last few years it's having a come back: I don't know the details, whether it's just the name, or the same quality of beer, etc. I don't drink beer so I don't know.

      The old Fix factory is fairly near to where we live. Half of it was demolished but the other half is being converted to a museum of modern art - it should open sometime this coming winter. It looks very good, and I'm quite excited about that.

      Our break in the Peloponnese was too short: four nights/ five days. Half of it was visiting various places and the other half swimming and sitting around the beach. I wish it had been longer.

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  2. Thank you for the information. It seems that everywhere is becoming an art gallery these days!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They were described as the 'cathedrals of our age' by an art writer - I can't remember who it was. But you are right. There's another huge art centre being built on the site of the old ippodromos, the race course at the end of Syggrou: I presume you must have passed it on your way to the sea from Nea Smyrni, when you used to do your walk. That is absolutely massive but they have only started building.

      Delete