While it may not feature prominently in today’s travelogues and guides, Haria offers visitors not only an authentic rustic experience but also intriguing tales. With a stunning view of the sea just 2km away, Haria is the perfect spot to catch the sun setting over Diros Bay.
Some visitors may mistake Haria as part of the more famous village of Pyrgos Diros, known for its listed Mani towers, as they are only 1.5 km apart. However, Haria stands on its own as an autonomous settlement, sitting at an altitude of 190 meters on the local hillock of Profitis Elias (also known to the locals as Sayas or “Saggias“). The village is considered part of the lower section of the towering Taygetos mountain range and is home to 63 residents at last count.
The imposing tower of the Arapaki family still stands tall, the dominating feature of the village and serves as an architectural testament to the village’s rich history. It well worth visiting to discover the bucolic charm of Haria and all it has to offer.
Peter Arapakis and his family tower, the prominent landmark in the village.
Peter Arapakis is an important figure in the history of Haria. Born in the village in 1879, he was the first person to explore the previously unknown cave of Vlychada in 1903. Later, he moved to London to study to become a merchant mariner and was later credited as a reliable nautical cartographer. While the origins of Haria remain unclear, we do know that it has been inhabited since the Byzantine Empire, as evidenced by the local churches of Agios Theodoros and Agios Georgios which date back to the 12th century.
Peter Arapakis gained fame for his decision to sail around the world in order to win a bet with two other merchant mariners, asserting that the Greeks were the best seafaring people on earth. He set sail in May 1910 from Burrureg, Western Australia aboard the small sailing ship Pandora, owned by his wife Cecilia Adams. Accompanying him was one of the two merchants he had made the bet with, Englishman John Blythe.
In January 1911, they became the first people to sail around Cape Horn, South America, moving from west to east. However, they suffered damage in the process, forcing them to dock for repairs in the Falkland Islands. They then continued on to New York, where they became a hot topic in the newspapers of the time.
After their adventures in the United States, Peter Arapakis and his friend set sail for London, after which they would make their way to the Mediterranean Sea, then cross the Suez Canal and complete their journey via the Indian Ocean, returning to Australia. However, the Atlantic proved to be too treacherous for their small vessel, It was during this journey that they met with tragedy: the Atlantic proved to be too rough for the small sailing vessel and the last time they were seen was in March 1911, when they were met by a transoceanic vessel off the coast of Spain.
Peter’s family continued on after his disappearance, and his brother Ioannis Arapakis became a renowned doctor in interwar Athens, serving as mayor of Kallithea from 1933 to 1941. Meanwhile, their family’s impressive and exceptionally well preserved tower became one of the most important attractions for visitors to this side of the Laconian Mani, thanks in large part to the popularity of the famous Caves of Diros. Today, the tower has been converted into a hotel, and one of the newest in the village. It has been named “Pandora” in honor of Peter’s ship.
Despite the mystery surrounding his disappearance (or even because of it), Peter Arapakis remains a renowned character in the history of Haria and the wider region. His explorations of the unknown cave of Vlychada and his contributions to nautical cartography are testament to his adventurous spirit, intelligence and appetite for adventure.
How to get to Haria
Getting to Haria is relatively easy, as it is located just 4 km away from Areopolis. If you’re coming from Kalamata, the journey is around 80 km and should take you approximately 1.5 hours. If you’re starting from Athens, expect a journey of around 280 km. You’ll need to follow the national road to Tripoli, then exit at exit 10 towards Tegea and Sparta, before moving towards Gythio and Areopolis. Once you pass Areopolis in the direction of Spilias Diros, turn right opposite the BP petrol station and you’ll soon arrive at the village. The entire trip should take around 3.5 hours.
Upon arrival in Haria, you won’t have any trouble finding accommodation. Aside from the hotel operating in the Arapaki Tower and the “Pandora” accommodation, there’s also the beautiful traditional guesthouse, “Katafygi“. The village boasts other attractions, such as the Tower of Soubasis or the Byzantine churches of Agios Theodoros and Agios Georgios, both of which date back to the 12th century. For hiking enthusiasts, the historical path Areopolis-Haria-Pyrgos Diros is worth exploring. Keep in mind that there are no taverns in Haria, so if you’re looking for food, you’ll need to head to Areopolis or Pyrgos Diros.
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Diros: Mani area cave with spectacular stalactites, route covered by boat
