History
The Vatika have a history of several thousand years. Numerous findings indicate the human activity to all the historical periods.
Before millions of years were covered by water. The geological form changed many times due to earthquakes and various geologikon changes. Shells can be found in places on the plain of Vatika on rocks that indicate the presence of the sea.
During the Paleolithic and Mesolithic period must have been inhabited following the course of the Peloponnisos as evidenced by the hundreds of tools and flaking found in Ilia and Achaia. The abundant painted pottery of the Neolithic period found in the southern Peloponnese, certify the continued existence of life in the region: scattering findings, especially stone axes and adzes found in the ruins at Vatika, reveal that Vatika’s land during the Neolithic period, showed remarkable human activity.
Archaeological findings from this era, creations of the hands and intelligence of early Vatika’s human were found on sites Agios Andreas Agia Triada, Elafonissos etc. The early Greek period that followed provides more information about the area, because are known many residential locations, there are jars (Mycenaean) and the economy is based primarily on agriculture and farming. Around 1900 BC (Middle Helladic period) becomes the great migration of people and subjugate the Achaeans in the Peloponnisos. Herodotus mentions that created major centers in the areas of Asopos, Elos and Vatika. The residents of Vatika develop remarkable commercial activity and liaise and communicate with the people of Cyclades, Crete, and the insular and mainland Greece.
In the Late Helladic Mycenaean period (1600-1100 BC) that follows almost every major city or large ancient temple have a Mycenaean precursor. Settlements and cemeteries all over Laconia and Vatika, show the extent and density of the population during the Mycenaean period. At Vatika we come across with vaulted and chamber tombs and pottery. In that period is dated and the edge of Pavlopetri, although the latest research proved that is earlier than this era and findings place the foundation of the city in 2500 BC and the Bronze Age.
Three cities flourish at Vatika this period and form the “Laconia Tripoli”. Sidis which named in honor of a homonym daughter of the Danaos or Zarakas, king of Karystos of Evia who found refuge in the area of Malea chased by the goddess Hera. The city seems to have been built near the village of Agios Georgios. In the area there vaulted Mycenaean tombs and remains of iron workshops. Another possible explanation for the city according to archaeologist Hasluck is the bay of Agios Georgios which is located east of Velanidia towards Cape Malea.
The Itis is one of the two cities that Aeneas built after the fall of Troy, on his trip to Italy, when was forced to seek refuge in the bay of Vatika. The Curtius says that is south of Neapolis, in the region “Palaiokastro”.
Aphrodisias was built by Aeneas or settlers of Kythera and the position is somewhere between the village of Daimonia and the plain of Vatika. Most likely it was in Psafaki of Neapolis where tombs, buildings and walls of limestone have been found.
Shortly after 1500 BC Heraclides Voias Considering the strategic and economic significance of the region decided to establish a city-state and forced the residents of the three cities to build a new and modern city invoking the goddess Artemis to indicate the position. The goddess sent a rabbit who slipped into a myrtle and built the new town, named Voies. During the years of Pausanias (174 AD), the people still worshiped the myrtle and the goddess Artemis.
With the descent of the Dorians, the six major cities of Laconia: Sparta, Amykles, Faris, Aigio, Las, Voies were subjugated by the dynamic Dorian element. In 6th century Sparta imposed on the cities of Laconia and the area of Via is a base of individual enemies. During the Peloponnesian War the raids and looting by the Athenians in the area forced residents to erect high walls.At the beginning of the second century BC the Roman general Titus Flamino releases the coastal cities of Laconia and then it is formed the “Joint of the Lacedaemonians” which later in August era will be named the “Joint of Eleftherolacones”.
During these years the area of Vatika shows significant economic activity and life. It is an important commercial port and an important center, and issues coins with the inscription “Voies”. The interest of the people, except of the trade, is turned in farming, fishing and shipping. In the Middle Ages, the Voies is an insignificant village that was destroyed in 375 AD from the terrible earthquake which city sank part of the city into the sea.
Are shown various settlements known as Vatika insignificant (from the word VOIATIKA) which are under direct threat and rapacious greed of pirates. During the Ottoman era, there has been a strong national and multipurpose work of known thieves. At the same time people of Vatika through the Society of Friends fought for a free and independent homeland, including: Demetrius Haramis, Haramis Peter ,Haramis John, Poulovits Vatikiotis, Dimitrios Vatikiotis John.
In the period of the great uprising many people of Vatika had been distinguished for their bravery or manning the navy. In 1863, the region is divided into two small municipalities: the “Vatika” whose capital was Lachi and “Maleas” with its capital Faraklo.
In 1840 the two municipalities are merged into one, to the municipality Voion with capital being Pezoula. In 1845 the settlement was renamed in Neapolis, the capital of a single municipality with Vatika villages Faraklo, Mesochori, Kastanies, Agios Nikolaos, Lachi and Elafonissos.
