Easter motorbike trip (part 3)

(continued from part 2)

An area with such dense and diverse beauty like the South West end of Peloponnese where I am privileged to spend my Easter holidays gives you a very 1st world problem: what to explore first? Since I already had a bite on some seaside beauties (see previous parts) this time I decide to enjoy some history so how about some castles?

The nice thing is that not only I have a few to see around but I can also enjoy a nice ride in between as you can watch here:

First stop at Koroni where my iron horse proudly enjoys a sew view from the top in front of the local castle's entrance:

I don't think a bike deserves more view than us so let's have a full look from this stunning view point:

On my back is the entrance:

Venetians conquered Koroni in 1206 hence they built this castle.

If nothing else they really enjoyed a super view while coming out:

Younger houses though still old ones in front of its wall:

A cat strolls around the castle's relics while Spring spreads Green generosity:

Here's the entrance from the inside:

Unfortunately I don't have the time to offer you a full tour around as my main destination is the castle of Methoni which huge as it looks it intimidates me that it might suck the rest of my day. And...kinda did - wait for it.

After a sweet ride (check video above after 00:44) I arrive at Methoni's castle where I find a rather flower power parking spot:

And as I turn to look at the castle "wow" is maybe not enough to express my impression:

I don't know if you really get an idea about its size from these images but I hope you do cause it's massive and what you saw is just a small part of it.

Have a look at its trench:

Feel free to follow me as I cross the gate:

Spring doing its magic beautifying the bare stone walls:

Which are HUGE:

Fortunately no cannons are needed around here today. Who knows for how long though...:

I'm leaving the area of the entrance and start walking South to see the rest. Huge walls all the way:

In one of them I find the following intriguing hole:

Last pass before I make it to the open space:

Forth	Back

Obviously no way to regret this:

The above column is made of granite and even if you were 3.5m tall you still wouldn't be able to see what's on top of it:

This castle took the shape it has today back in 1209 again by Venetians who conquered Methoni. Right now Spring has conquered its surface:

I must say that the whole place looks very unmaintained. It doesn't even have defined paths and enough informative signs for the visitors. It's extremely cheap though (entrance fee is 3 euros!) but that's a shame. It could easily be 5 euros and receive the care it deserves. I think you can also confirm the above looking at these images:

As I continue walking South there's elements that look quite attractive in the background:

Here's a shot looking North to what I have already walked so far:

In case you prefer the above with some bit of vegetation be my guest:

I like how the relics contrast the Spring's colours and the sky:

I am reaching the South end of the area and a closer look to the elements I mentioned before makes them even more attractive:

View to the North and East (respectively) from the same spot is not bad either:

Let's take a walk in this tower:

Fancy battlements with sea view? I do!

The following images from the inside of this tower looking out might give you an idea about its height:

Here's the same from the outside:

Open top battlement with sea view - once built for defence, today an eye candy:

This is the last gate to pass before the South end of the complex:

I think you might prefer it with some red kindly offered from Spring though:

This is the tower I will visit when I pass this section:

One more with my back to the East:

And ready to cross this gate:

Funny how the view to the South from this passage looks like a key hole:

It's a shame that the visitors have to walk this thing to make it to the other side. It doesn't even have rails on the sides:

But really worth the visit. Here's how this looks from the other side:

And that's where I'm heading to:

This shows the height of the tower I just left behind:

Last tower in the South is this:

And from there I have full view to the previous one looking North:

Its entrance have obvious signs of wear but that's no surprise given its age, location and invasions it had suffered:

As soon as I make it in I have two choices. Go left or right:

Left	Right

The following pictures speak for the height of this octagonal building:

And this one about the level of humidity in one of its cells:

Much better view at the battlements on its top:

Since I am on its top let's enjoy a full view to the North:

Walking back North I see parts of the site with signs of some care like this stainless steel rail:

As you can see the sea has eaten up a chunk of that thing:

That's the wall dividing the North section of the castle from the rest:

This will allow me access to the North end:

View of the whole thing from the other side looking South:

Ain't this sweet!

This view point shows part of the town of Methoni too:

Battlement with a view - the wonders of Spring:

The entrance of the castle of Methoni viewed from above with partial view to the town:

The North West end of the fortress from the outside:

Bike enjoys the sea view:

An old rusty mechanism that I couldn't find further info about it:

One more part of the North end of the fortress:

I am afraid I might have overloaded you with images so I think it's time for a video:

See you on the next part (4)