Dandy Villas Mani |Old Tower House|Fireplace |Pool

DandyVillas present their new acquisition in Mani. It is 12 meters high and extends over 3 levels. Entering the house you will find the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom leading to the courtyard with the Jacuzzi. Going up to the first floor you will find the living room with two armchairs/bed and a small toilet. From the living room you can go out to the balcony with the dining room. On the second floor you will find the second bedroom with its own toilet. The space Dandy Villas are pleased to present their new acquisition: the war tower of Zoa, in Nomia, in the proud Mani of the Peloponnese. This war tower is one of the towers of Mani, a unique folk architectural work, a stone-built construction influenced by corresponding architectural works of Venice, which were adopted in their area by the Mani soldiers - after their stay in the Italian army. It is one of the 800+ towers that have been internationally recognized by UNESCO as preserved cultural heritage monuments. Unfortunately, about 300 of the 800 towers have already become ruins that can no longer be saved. Our tower, the Tower of Nikolaos Zoakos, known in the area as the Tower of the Zoa, was built in the 17th century. It has a height of 12 meters and extends on 3 levels: ground floor, first floor and second floor, with the large bedroom of the top floor communicating with the roof where the notorious cannons were set up. So, Zoakos himself lived in this war tower with his family: his 5 children, his 3 sons and his 2 daughters. The tower house has on its outer sides - under the west and east window - the well-known Mani "zeamatistres or katachioustres" that could revive in wartime the habit of women taking matters into their own hands and attacking the enemy by throwing hot oil or water from above. So simple, so efficient. And the enemy? Wherever he goes, he goes... In the tower house of the Zoa family you will see the well-known rifle holes, signs of the perpetual preparation of the Maniots for war. They remind us that in the minds and hearts of all Mani people, freedom was, is and will be the highest value. In Mani, they did not only love freedom. They loved and respected the woman, the mother, so Mani was proven to be the first matriarchal society. The owner of the house, the wife of Zookos, was, for the sake of honor, due to her special temperament and dynamism, a member of the Gerontiki, the informal council that resolved the differences of the Maniots, in the absence of judicial officials of the time. The Zoa family belonged to the class of Soilides, a so-called higher class that is said to have its roots in the Komnenos of Byzantium. The Soilides had the right to use weapons and live in tower houses, while the "fools", the most humble class that worked for them, did not. The house is a living memory of all the experiences of the owner family and its descendants. Continuing the description we will try to attribute the climate of the time, the peculiarities of the house, the hidden spots, those that in our opinion are worth illuminating. So, entering the house you will find the fireplace, the so-called "photogonia", where the family cooked the daily simple and plain food with the "tsoukalia". The low openings of the corridors and even the towers had a purpose: to make it difficult for the unexpected visitor to enter easily, to be forced to bend over and therefore, to become a prey in the hands of the hosts. If the hosts wanted to welcome him, fine, otherwise, any unexpected visitor was expelled by hook or by crook. After the fireplace, through a low – pay attention here – arch you meet the kitchen, the main toilet, bathroom and the first bedroom that leads to the stone-built courtyard with the pond - Jacuzzi so you can cool off and enjoy a modern comfort in such an old building, tying - as we believe - harmoniously yesterday with today. The communication of the floors is done as in the old days, through wooden stairs, the "waterfalls", they are called so because they are steep enough to gain space for the main house, the rooms. Going up to the first floor you will find the living room with two armchairs that can be turned into a bed and a small toilet. From the living room you can go out to the large balcony with the dining room for breakfast coffee, lunch or dinner. Upstairs on the second floor you will find the second bedroom with its own toilet. The front doors of the houses remain in the courtyard, guarded. It was forbidden to be accessible from the street or from an alley. We welcome you to the wild, unique place of Mani that gladly welcomes strong and adventurous travelers. You, be ready for powerful experiences, unforgettable memories, flashbacks in space and time. Welcome to a place with a strong history, emotions and experiences! NOTE: Small pool operating period May-October Guest access One of our associates will welcome you, hand you the keys to the house and guide you through the house's utilities. They can also suggest activities and places to visit. Our presence is discreet. But we are available any time to discuss anything that comes up. Registration Details 1230686