N ature; Taygetosgebergte

The Taygetos mountain range or Central Taygetos. A non-protected area of 12.000 hectares in the provinces of Messinia and Lakonia.. The name is derived from the nymph Tayget, the daughter of Atlas.The mountain has 5 mountain tops and therefore it is also called Pendadaktilos (five fingers). At the high peaks, such as Xerovouna, Zitali and Prophet Ilias (2404 m) is usually snow. Ideal area for mountain walkers; not yet discovered and isolated. A well-known walking route is the European E 4, or, more adventurous, a mule path into the deep Vikosgorge.

The very rich flora and fauna make that the area, should be declared to be a protected area. In spite of many attempts to reach this, it is not yet realized.

The area is surprisingly green: cypress, almond-tree, eucalyptus, acacia, holm-oak or ilex, black pine, etc. We find here about 150 indigenous kinds of plants of which 26 grow only in the Taygetos, such as the campanula andrewissi; a bell-flower with blue bells. Furthermore many kinds of orchids, lavender, anemone, affodil.

There are about 85 kinds of birds, among which owls, the goshawk, blue thrushes,the buzzard, falcons and the golden eagle. Particularly important in the area is the Eleonora's falcon or the Greek name Varvaki. In Greece there are about 4.000 couples of this falcon. This is 75% of the world population of this unique bird. It is a migratory bird that arrives in April and returns in the direction of Madagascar at the end of October. If you should meet a nest of this bird, leave it alone and move off.

Remaining mammals in the area are among others: wolf, fox, jackal, wild cat, weasel, marten, badger, rabbit, hare and hedgehog.