We have been in Koroni for a few weeks now. And we don't do much. We stroll down to the harbour, sit in cafés, watch the boats bobbing on the sea, and every now and then we strike up a conversation with the people here.
The leisurely idleness is joined by the care of our garden, watering flowers once a day, and our beloved cat, several times a day fur and soul care.
But at some point we too are de-stressed and rested. We are drawn to go on an excursion. And we are honest: it will be the only one during our four weeks in Koroni!
The travel guide says: "In the south-east of Messinia lie the picturesque towns of Methoni and Koroni on the Peloponnese peninsula". We know Koroni, so we are drawn to Methoni.
Because we were not able to visit this castle two years ago. Apparently dangerous viruses were hiding in the castle ruins there too. This time everything seems to be in order, we ask to be let in. We get it for a fee of 3 euros per person and stroll through the ruins, along old walls, through magically overgrown courtyards with the most colourful flowers we have seen in weeks.
The strategic location of the two towns of Koroni and Methoni made them important trading and shipping centres, but also coveted targets of the powerful. That is why huge fortresses were built.
The castle of Methoni was built by the Venetians at the beginning of the 13th century and is one of the largest in the Mediterranean. The 14-arch stone bridge that connects the castle with the shore is impressive. St Mark's Lion, the symbol of Venice, adorns the castle gate, on which reliefs, emblems and inscriptions have been preserved.
The fortified island of Bourtzi south of the castle served as a prison and execution site during the Turkish occupation. It was built around 1500 and is connected to the castle's sea gate by a small road.
We don't know what excites us more: the ruin (us and the "old stones"), the many flowers here or the contrast between the castle and the turquoise sea. My imagination goes crazy again, I see damsels rushing back and forth with baskets of herbs, hear chains rattling when the bridge to the entrance gate lowers and see Venetian ships sailing towards us in the distance. Unfortunately, Gerd doesn't see any of this. Nothing to do. x
Merci for "travelling with us
We are thinking about taking another break from travelling in the summer and visiting our families in Germany and Switzerland. One of the ideas is to organise a Lecture about our long journey to the Persian Gulf to prepare. If you would like to, what would interest you the most? We will also tell stories here that don't find a place here on the blog. We're thinking of the Bern and Berlin area - simply because we have family there. But other places are also conceivable. Feel free to write to us.
Do you think our travel experiences might be of interest to others? Then you can share the Share post quietly. By e-mail or however you want to do it.
In addition, if you haven't already done so, you can use our Newsletter subscribe. Here you will receive all our experiences in your mailbox whenever we publish something new or once a week on Fridays: live-pur.ch/newsletter
We are also very happy to hear your views, your tips or your questions. Just comment on the post!
