- Cranae
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Cranae (Greek: Κρανάη, [Kran'ai]) (also Marathonisi) is an island off the coast of Gytheio connected to the land by a causeway built in 1898. According to legend, when Paris of Troy abducted Helen from Sparta they spent their first night in Cranae. When Gytheio became the major port of Sparta Cranae became a resting spot for traders. After the rest of Greece enslaved to the Ottoman Turks only Mani remained free. The beys of Mani fortified Cranae with a Maniot tower called Tzannetakis Tower built in 1829. Tzannetakis tower today became the Historical and Cultural museum of Mani. On the island there is a chapel dedicated to St Peter which is favored by many couples to use on their weddings due to its beautiful views of the city of Gytheio and picturesque location. There is also a prominent 23m height lighthouse built on 1873 by high quality marble from the area of "Tainaro" in south Mani peninsula.
Categories:- Laconia
- Islands of Greece
- Ionian Islands
- Geography of ancient Laconia
- Laconian mythology
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