Villa "Pietra e Mare" , Traditional House

The traditional house Villa "Pietra e Mare" is a unique renovated mansion located in the heart of the city next to the magnificient old Venetian port of Nafpaktos, and is the oldest house of the city to be located right on the beach of Grimbovo. The house is one of the first traditional houses built in the 1870s, during the time of naval glory, consisting of three parts, the garden, the ground floor and the upper floor with thick walls, iron or wood on the lower windows and heavy wooden doors. The courtyards are stone-built and in the spring they are colored with the aromas of nature when the lemon flower and the honeysuckle bloom. It is the only traditional house of Nafpaktos built literally on the beach with the waves during the winter to reach only a few meters from it. Wake up in the morning on the front balcony, listening to the mesmerizing sound of the waves, on the point where the Ionian Sea merges with the Corinthian Gulf. From the Villa’s unique balcony one can enjoy the imposing view of the old Venetian castle , the town and the port, dominated by the cable Rio-Antirrio bridge on the horizon. After the Greek Independence War in 1821, this house hosted the first primary school of the city. It has a wonderful view of Nafpaktos and has been characterized as a traditional- historic building by the Greek state. It maintains its state-of-the-art materials to preserve the authenticity and style of the mansion, while providing all the modern comforts to its guests. It is decorated with antique furniture and can accommodate 8 people. There is free parking place inside and outside the Villa. Villa "Pietra e Mare" has been licensed from the Greek National Tourism Organization. The breakfast offered in the Villa (consists of coffee, tea, milk, cereal, fresh butter, apricot marmalade and strawberry marmelade, toasted bread and croissants) is allready in the kitchen stored for you and served in form of self service! We also undertake local tours (extra cost) in the city of Athens and all over Greece but in an off the beaten track way so that you can blend with the locals and experience Athens from a local point of view! All rooms of the house are accessible. I am always willing and available to provide you any information and guidance you may need. Nafpaktos (Lepanto) is a town with a long history. The city holds its name from the words ‘’nafs’’ which means "ship" and ‘’pignymi’’ which means "to construct". It first appeared in 1104 BC. with the Dorians, who, on their descent, used Nafpaktos to build rudimentary boats (rafts for accuracy), so Nafpaktos became a heritage. In Greek legend, Nafpaktos is the place where the Heraclidae built a fleet to invade the Peloponnese. In historical times it belonged to the Ozolian Locrians, but about 455 BC, in spite of a partial resettlement with Locrians of Opus, it fell to the Athenians, who peopled it with Messenian refugees and made it their chief naval station in western Greece during the Peloponnesian war. Two major battles were fought here. In 404 BC it was restored to the Locrians, who subsequently lost it to the Achaeans, but eventually recovered it. Centuries later, specifically on the 7th October of 1571, a great and monumental naval conflict took place between the Ottoman fleet and the united naval forces of Sacra Lega, a sacred alliance formed by the Spanish naval forces, the Pope, Venice and some Italian states. The city is located 218 km away from Athens, 97 km from the archeological site of Delphi , 141 km from Ancient Olympia, 40 km from Nafpaktia mountains and 45 km from the ancient theatre of Iniades and the historical city of Mesolongi. Nafpaktos is a place for discerning travelers looking for different forms of alternative tourism. Evinos River and Nafpaktia Mountains create landscapes of unique natural beauty and are ideal for sports activities like rafting, kayaking, rappel, mountain bike, climbing, horseback riding, hiking and kite surfing and SUP. The castle, with panoramic views of the city and the Corinthian Gulf, dominates imposingly on the top of the hill with its walls reaching up to the Venetian harbor. To the east and west there are the beaches of Psani and Grimbovo. Walking through the city's old Venetian Castle and the paved streets, passing through the Tzavela Mansion, the Botsari Museum and the Mosque, where the ruins of the Turkish mosque and the Turkish bath are preserved and the old picturesque harbor (where the "soprano" the old market was located) will make the traveler feel the aura of the golden Venetian era which has left its pieces unchangeable through time. At the eastern tower there is the old lighthouse and the Fethiye Tzami (mosque) of 1499. The built-in marble plaque reminds us of the famous sea battle of 1571. At the western part and next to the cannons targeting the sea, there are the statues of the legendary captain Giorgos Anemogiannis and of the famous Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes (who fought in the battleship of Nafpaktos). Today, the area embracing the old harbor (Stenopazaro) is the heart of the night life of the city where many cafes, bars and greek taverns are located. Beside the amazing coastal areas next to the city, one can also visit the breathtaking and virgin places of Nafpaktia mountains. Villages immersed in fir trees. All over mountains, ravines, rivers ... A landscape of any natural beauty that is unparalleled ... that takes off once the snow falls in winter, they cover the roofs and adorn the scenery with the winter gifts! Nafpaktos is only 40 km away from the wild and beautiful mountain world of Nafpaktia mountains. Bicycles are available upon request with no extra charge (up to 4 bicycles). Cable TV is also available for free.