Stoúpa

Overview

The village of Stoupa is located in the Exo[outer]Mani in the Greek Peleponneses. It is a popular tourist destination for British and German tourists, but apparently fairly unknown to American tourists. It has a wonderful beach, and most of the usual tourist services. It is part of the municipality of Lefktro , in the prefecture of Messinia . Nikos Kazantzakis wrote Zorba the Greek while he lived here and there is a large statue of him on the cliff overlooking Kalogria beach, near a taverna.

Once a sleepy little town, in the past few years more and more tourists have discovered Stoupa. There are some 20 restaurants strung out along the beach, a few small hotels, and many rental houses. Besides Greek tourists, who come mostly in August, Brits and Germans are the most frequent visitors. Few Americans have found their way to Stoupa, seeming to favor the islands. Stoupa is in a fascinating area called Mani, the only part of Greece never conquered by invaders. The Maniots built tower houses, some of which have been restored, and holed up in them carrying out local feuds.

History