View of Neapolis from Faraklo

The Vatika (Greek: Βάτικα) is a rural municipality (Greek: Δήμος) of Greece found in the prefecture of Laconia on the southerly tip of Cape Malea. It is a predominantly agricultural region with a few minor villages and one dominant town.

Vatika is the common term for the area, but Vion is used in a more official context, particularly for postal situations.

Neapoli is the administrative capital of the municipality, and is also the urban center to the numerous villages that surround the hinterland.

Historical population

Geography

There is a single mountain range that runs through the center of the municipality dividing it into two parts, both an east and west section.

Adjacent to the west coast of the region lies the island of Elafonisos which is administratively, politically and geographically part of the Vatika. The island contains some of the oldest evidence of human inhabitance in the whole of the Peloponnese.

History

The name of the region derives from the initial name of the town of Neapoli, Voiai (Greek: Βοιαι pronounced "Vi - e"), which is thought to have been founded in the second century BC. The ancient writer, Pausanias wrote that Voiai was founded "by Voios, one of the children of Herakles, who is supposed to have gathered the people from three cities: Etis, Aphrodisias and Side". Voios was a Heracleidae.

Places of Interest

Villages:

• Faraklo (Φάρακλο)
• Lachi (Λάχι) - Site of the Ancient city named Itis.
• Mesochori (Μεσοχώρι) - A village with Byzantine origins.
• Agios Nikolaos (Άγιος Νικόλαος) - The Agricultural center for the Municipality.
• Paradisi (Παραδέισι)
• Ano Kastania (Ανό Καστανία) - The location of many Byzantine Churches and Monasteries.
• Kato Kastania (Κάτο Καστανία)

External links

• Official Site of the Municipality of the Vatika (In Greek)
• Neapolis Site (In English)
• GTP - Municipality of Voia/Vatika

See also:

• Communities of Laconia