Ierakas

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Ierakas

Ierakas is a small seaside village built along a natural fjord on the south east coast of Laconia, in the Peloponnese. It is built on a natural harbor surrounded by steep hills, where the sea runs inland creating Greece’s only fiord. In ancient times, the entrance to the harbor was known as Porto Cadena (Chain), because of the chain that was used to close off the entrance to the harbor. The small authentic village, that has managed to avoid tourists, is an unknown destination to most, although it is only 22 kilometers away from the popular town of Monemvasia.

Gerakas consists of three settlements. The Port, Gerakas and Agios Ioannis. The picturesque port is protected from the winds and many boats find shelter there. The settlement in the port with the traditional tiled houses and the tavernas by the sea, serving fresh fish, is strongly reminiscent of an Aegean island. The churches of Agii Anargyroi and Ai Nikolas stand above the port. The picturesque village along with the serenity of the landscape compose an incomparable beautiful scene.

People interested in the town’s past may seek out the ruins of the ancient settlement of Zarakas, located above the village, NE of the entrance of the bay. Pausanias, in his book "Lakonika" refers to the Acropolis of Zaraka as the "Evlimenon Chorion (village)". From the Acropolis of Zarakas the view towards the entrance of the bay is magnificent. Gerakas, or "Hierax" as it was called during the Byzantine years, was a pirate stronghold, a naval base of the Byzantines for the repulsion of the Saracens and the Venetians. It was also an anchorage for merchant ships from the islands of Hydra and Spetses.

The area is part of the "Natura 2000" network and you may encounter herons or other migratory birds at a time when bird migration is in progress. In Gerakas you can find small hotels, rooms to rent and tavernas serving traditional Greek food and fresh fish.