Circumnavigating the Peloponnese
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Introduction
The circumnavigation of the Peloponnese can be a challenge to the cruiser because of the many different weather conditions and the length of the cruise. On the other hand it can be very rewarding because of the variety of its ports and anchorages and the opportunities for sightseeing this part of Greece steeped in history.
The Peloponnese or Pelopónnisos (Πελοπόννησος) is one of the largest geometrical features of mainland Greece. It covers an area of some 21,549 Km2 and it may be considered a large island since the Corinth Canal separates it from the rest of the Greek mainland. It is mountainous region and there are three large capes on its south side that give it its characteristic shape, These capes are Cape Maleas in the East, Cape Tenaron or Matapan and Caco Grosso in the middle, and Mount Taygetus on the west.
The history of Pelopónnisos starts from the Paleolithic times but it was during the Bronze Age when a brilliant civilization the Mycenaean civilization was centered there. The Mycenaeans, especially the people centered in Mycenae, Sparta, and Pylos were the heros immortalized by Homer in his two epic poems: the Iliad and the Odyssey. The name Pelopónnisos, Pelops' island, is derived from the Greek Mythology.
In classical times the Peloponnese was dominated by Sparta on the south, and Corinth on the north east, but also it was the home to the Pan Hellenic (including all the Greek city-states) Olympic games in Olympia on the north west. in 146 BC the Romans conquered Greece and the Peloponnese became the roman province of Achaea. The Roman were succeeded by the Byzantines who held the Peloponnese until the empire was overran, in 1204 AD, by the Franks and the Venetians of the Fourth Crusade. They divided the region between them as a number of principalities. The Byzantines recaptured their capital, Constantinople, in 1261 AD and in 1308 established in Pelopónnisos Despotate of Morea with its capital the mountain city of Mystras, overlooking ancient Sparta. in October 1443, the prince of this Despotate, Constantine XI Palaiologos became the last Byzantine emperor. He did not last long, in May 29, 1453 the Ottomans under Mehmed II sacked Constantinople and the emperor was killed while defending his city. By 1458 and until 1827 the Peloponnese was under the Ottoman Empire. There were some exception to this. The Venetians managed to capture some harbors and the rugged Mani Peninsula, with constant guerilla warfare remained semi-independent.
The Greek War of Independence from the Ottomans declared in the Pelopónnisos town of Kalavryta on March 25, 1821. Pelopónnisos played a decisive ro;e during this war and was the scene of many battles. The war effectively ended with the sea Battle of Navarino on 20 October 1827. In 1829, the Peloponnesian town of Nafplion became the capital of the newly established state of Greece.
Climate & Weather Information
The weather while circumnavigating the Peloponnese can be best described separately for each section of the cruise:
- East side - Here the weather of the Aegean Sea dominates, conditions however tend to be milder.
- South side - The weather here is influenced by the capes. For details see South Peloponese.
- West side - Here the weather is that of the Ionian Sea. For details see Ionian Sea Weather.
- North side - For weather details see Gulf of Patras and Gulf of Corinth.
Weather Windows
The best time to circumnavigating the Peloponnese is late Spring to early Autumn (May to September).
In general this is not a heavily cruised area and you, most likely, will not experience the crowded condition that prevail in the Aegean and the Northern Ionian Seas during the summer months.
Radio Nets
Also see World Cruiser's Nets
- Greek Coast Guard - VHF channel 12
- Olympia Radio - This is the Greek VHF network. Local channels are listed in each individual port
- Cellular Phone(GSM/GPRS) - Despite the mountains and the numerous islands Greece and Italy have very good GSM/GPRS coverage.
- BA
- 1600 Korinthiakós Kólpos - Diórigha Korinthou
- Imray-Tetra
- G13 Gulfs of Patras and Corinth
- NIMA
- 54338 Approaches to (A) Korinthiakos and (B) Isthmia
- Greek
- 232 Korinthiakos Kolpos
- 413 Saronikos Kolpos
Passage Description
It is assumed that you start your Circumnavigation from the E side of the Corinth Canal. This is not necessary. You can start from convinient location.
The other assumption is that you sail in clockwise direction. This direction has a slight advantage during the suggested weather windows. The northerly meltemi at this time is stronger in the Aegean Sea so you will be sailing there down wind, while in the Ionian Sea the northerly headwinds will be weaker. So the clockwise direction is slightly more advantageous then the counterclockwise direction.
Distance & Duration
Possible Departure Points
- Corinth Canal (Isthmia, East End)
37°54.91′N, 23°0.61′E
Note: You can start from convinient location.
Route/Suggested Stopovers
- Start from Isthmia 37°54.91′N, 23°0.61′E the east entrance of the Corinth Canal.
- Sail S to Epithavros where you can, if there is a performance, take a taxi to the Ancient Theater.
Possible Arrival Ports
CruiserLog Forum discussions
Links to discussions on the CruiserLog Forum
External Links
- [Peloponnese] (Wikipedia)
References
Books, guides, etc.
Personal Notes
Personal experience?
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