Cape Tenaron

 

Cape Tenaron or cape Matapan is mainland Greece's southernmost point. It was the site of the Ancient city Taenarum.  Nearby is a cave legend claims was the home of Hades the God of underworld.  On the hill above the cave there is a temple dedicated to the God of the sea Poseidon.

Tenaron's lighthouse was built in 1892 and its luminosity was 12 nautical miles.  In 1984 it was upgraded with solar panels and its luminosity is now 22 nautical miles.  The trek to the lighthouse from the end of the paved road is 2.2 kilometers.  For those who decide to take the hike to this very interesting place is better to start early in the morning or late in the evening in order to avoid the blazing summer Greek sun as there is no shade in its entirety.  I visited the site in 1968 when I was serving in the Greek Navy and my brother visited it recently on foot.

Kimolos and Polyaigos Islands

The island of Kimolos is in close proximity to the larger island Milos and the uninhabited island of Polyaigos.  All three islands belong to the Aegean volcanic ring.  The island derives its name from Kimolos, husband of Side, daughter of Taurus. During the ancient times it was allied with Athens while nearby Milos with Sparta.  This led to conflicts between the two islands because of their desire to possess the nearby islands such as Polyaigos. During the Byzantine and Frankish periods Kimolos was known for the mining and commerce of chalk.  In the years that followed the Franks, Venetians and especially the Pirates caused major reduction of population resulting in financial decline.  The decline reversed in recent years because of tourism.     

The port of Psathi in Kimolos can be reached by ferry from Piraeus or Milos.  Other than the infrequent ferry, local fishermen and their colorful boats use the port.

Three sailors George, John and Nikos entering the port of Kimolos on their laser sailboat.

The small white church is characteristic of the Cycladitic ecclesiastical architecture.

The lighthouse (left) is perched on the top of Pharos bay (right) at the island of Polyaigos.  Polyaigos that means many goats was inhabited mostly by shepherds but also by pirates as needed.  Lovers also seek and attracted to the beauty and solitude of the island.  

The islets near Polyaigos are immersed in the clear blue waters of the Aegean Sea.  As the Aegean is known for its clear blue green color why did Homer repeatedly called her ''wine-dark sea'' in the Iliad and Odyssey?  Is it because the wine Greeks drank was blue, the result of a chemical reaction with alkaline water, as Greeks did not drink their wine neat but always diluted it with water?  Was it because Greeks at the time of Trojan War were colorblind?  Can the word blue be a later addition that did not exist in the early versions of the epics or was it a poetic device Homer and troubadours that followed him used?  I am afraid I will not offer the answer to the enigma but I am willing to attest the sea surrounding Polyaigos is among the most beautiful on this planet.