Peloponnese Region

Based at the city of Tripoli, the region's administrative centre and divided into five regional units: Arcadia, Argolis, Corinthia, Laconia and Messenia

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Lion Gate Mycenae Peloponnese Greece
Lion Gate Mycenae Peloponnese Greece/ Photo 47567638 © Elgreko74 | Dreamstime.com

.OVERVIEW

Attached to the rest of mainland Greece by a narrow isthmus, Peloponnese is a large unspoilt peninsula at the southern tip of the country. Geographically has the shape of a plane tree leaf and is a fascinating destination thanks to its rich history, natural beauty and vibrant cultural heritage. Historically known as Morea (or Morias) Peloponnese’s turbulent history is attested in its many monuments, from ancient Greek temples and theatres to Byzantine monasteries and impressive Venetian fortresses. Home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as ancient Mycenae and Epidauros, the region bears tangible traces of the many civilizations that once called it home. Ancient Corinth with the 5th-century-BCE Doric Greek Temple of Apollo; the significant winemaking region of Nemea, known for its superior grape production since Mycenean times; Sparta; the Mani Peninsula, home to one of the best coastal drives in the country; the Medieval tower town of Monemvasia, founded by the Byzantines in the sixth century; the vibrant port town of Nafplio, all prove that Peloponnese is a hotbed of history.

.HISTORY

Peloponnese’s history dates back 3500 years to the Mycenaean civilization, which is noted for its expansion throughout the Aegean, its palace and tomb architecture, its fine gold artwork, and as the origin of such famous stories as the Trojan War. Mycenae and Sparta, and along with Tiryntha and Pylos, they were centers of Mycenaean civilization during the period 1600 BC and 1100 BC. In the mid-2nd century BCE Rome destroyed Corinth (146 BCE) and the Peloponnese became, along with northern Greece, the Roman province of Achaea. In the Middle Ages, the Peloponnese was ruled by various foreign powers, including the Franks and Venetians. The region was conquered by the Ottomans in 1460. The Greek War of Independence that began on the 25th of March 1821, began in the Peloponnese. By 1827, after the sea battle in Navarino ended, Peloponnese became a part of the new independent Greece with Nafplio as its capital.

.ECONOMY

The economy of the region has been traditionally based on agricultural production. The production of olives, olive oil, citrus fruit, wine and raisins is widespread. The world-famous Kalamata olives and unique wine vintages  such as agiorgitiko and Monemvasia-Malvasia red wines are produced here and exported all over the world. As the most popular region of the Greek mainland in terms of tourism, Peloponnese also has a growing tourism potential.

>Gross regional product

Total: €8.2 billion Per capita: €17,400


.REGIONAL ADMINISTRATION

The region Peloponnese borders Western Greece to the north and Attica to the north-east and covers most of the Peloponnese peninsula. The Peloponnese Region was established in the 1987 administrative reform. Along with the Western Greece and Ionian Islands regions, it is supervised by the Decentralized Administration of Peloponnese, Western Greece and the Ionian Islands based at Patras.

Region’s capital: Tripoli Region’s area: 15,489.96 km2, Region’s population (2021): 538,366 Postal address: Region of Peloponnese, Ethnarchou Makariou Square, 22131 Tripoli, Greece Region’s Website: ppel.gov.gr Email: periferiarxis@ppel.gov.gr Tel: +30 2713 601114 (Protocol)

Dimitrios Ptochos Regional Governor of Peloponnese

He holds a PhD in Operational Research-Management-DSS from the Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering of the National Technical University of Athens. He is also a holder of a Bachelor-MSc in Electrical & Computer Engineering. In 2012 he completed an Advanced Management Program (AMP) at MIT’s Sloan School of Management with an emphasis on strategy and innovation. In October 2023, he was elected Governor of the Peloponnese Region.


Explore the five regional units of Peloponnese. Click on each box to find out about history, museums, top attractions, beaches, gastronomy, festivals, activities, transportation, accommodation and much more.

Note: Some regional units are not available yet, they will be soon.