Ithome
805 m
Greece
Also known as Vourkano (Βουρκάνο), Итоми (планина), +7Also known as
Vourkano (Βουρκάνο) · Итоми (планина) · Ithimi · Ithomi · Ιθώμη · Itome · Ithômé · Ἰθώμη · Итома
- Elevation
- 805 m
- Prominence
- 760 m
- Difficulty
- 2/10
- Hike
- Best Season
- Mar–May
- Routes
- 1
Routes
1From the village of Mavromati above the ruins of Ancient Messene, walk east towards the Laconian Gate and climb the old zigzag dirt track up the south-east side to the summit plateau, the ruined Old Voulkano monastery and the site of the sanctuary of Zeus Ithomatas. Return on a path straight down to the Klepsydra spring. About 7 km and 400 m of ascent for the loop.
Elevation Profile
approximate line- Distance
- 4.8 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +411 m
- start → summit
- High Point
- 805 m
- Time Up
- 1h 58m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 1h 37m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
Start in Mavromati (about 390 m), the village beside the ruins of Ancient Messene; there is parking by the archaeological site. Walk east along the road towards the Laconian Gate for a few hundred metres, then turn sharply left onto the signed dirt track that zigzags up the south-east side of the mountain; the track entrance is about 250 m before the Laconian Gate. The track can also be driven by 4x4. At the first main hairpin bend you can go straight on to the remains of the sanctuary of Artemis Limnatis beside the track and, a few hundred metres west, the sanctuary traditionally attributed to Eileithyia (possibly Demeter). The track continues up to the summit plateau, with marked shortcut paths that are easy to follow but narrow. On top stand the ruins of the Old Voulkano monastery, built over the probable site of the sanctuary of Zeus Ithomatas, with a stone tripod base built into its walls, and a full view of the ancient city below. For the descent, return a short way down the track to a faded sign on the right; a path leads through undergrowth over rocky ground straight down to the Klepsydra spring and its mulberry tree, opposite the tavernas in Mavromati. The track from its entrance to the top is about 3.5 km.
Start
Κλεψύδρα394 m
- No regular bus to Mavromati was confirmed; from Kalamata, about 30 km away, a car or taxi is needed.
- Parking at the trailhead
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Κλεψύδρα → Ιθώμη | 4.8 | 411 | 0 | 1h 58m |
Waypoints
- Trailhead: Κλεψύδρα394 m
Klepsydra spring in Mavromati village, opposite the tavernas; end of the descent path
- Trailhead: Track entrance near the Laconian Gate474 m
Start of the zigzag dirt track, about 250 m before the Laconian Gate (Λακωνική Πύλη); coordinates from topplacesingreece.com
- Feature: Ιερό Αρτέμιδος Λιμνάτιδος510 m
Sanctuary of Artemis Limnatis, a short detour from the first main hairpin
- Summit: Ιθώμη805 m
Summit plateau with the Old Voulkano monastery (Παλαιά Μονή Βουλκάνου)
Key Passages
- Zigzag dirt track up the south-east side
- Sanctuary of Artemis Limnatis
- Old Voulkano monastery on the summit
- Rocky descent path to the Klepsydra spring
Equipment
0/3 packedDownloads
Route confidence 75%Overview
Mount Ithome (about 800 m) is the steep limestone acropolis of Ancient Messene in the Peloponnese, ringed by the city's 9.5 km of walls. A zigzag track and old paths lead from the village of Mavromati past ancient sanctuaries to the ruined Voulkano monastery on the summit and a view over the whole ancient city.
Ithome is the northern and higher of twin limestone peaks (the other is Eva) rising out of the Messenian plain about 20 km north of modern Messini. Its steep sides made it the natural stronghold of the Messenians, and the 9.5 km fortification wall of ancient Messene, with its towers and gates, encloses both the city below and the mountain above. The excavated city lies on the south-western slopes around the village of Mavromati.
The summit was sacred to Zeus Ithomatas, one of several mountains claimed as the place where the infant Zeus was raised, nursed by two nymphs, one of them named Ithome. Little survives of his sanctuary, which probably lies beneath the Old Voulkano monastery at the west end of the summit plateau; a stone tripod base is built into the monastery walls. Halfway up are the sanctuaries of Artemis Limnatis and another attributed to Eileithyia or Demeter. The monks later moved to the New Voulkano monastery on the slopes of Eva.
As a climb this is an easy half-day walk of about 400 m, but it is one of the best viewpoints in Messenia, over the ancient city, the Messenian Gulf and the Taygetos. Combine it with a visit to the archaeological site and museum.
Climbing Notes
Any reasonably fit walker can do the loop from Mavromati in 2–3 hours (about 7 km, 400 m of ascent): up the zigzag dirt track from near the Laconian Gate and down the steep, rocky path to the Klepsydra spring. Wear proper shoes for the descent path, carry water and food, and avoid the midday heat from June to September, as there is little shade. The summit can also be reached by 4x4 on the track. Allow extra time for the archaeological site of Ancient Messene, which has its own opening hours and ticket.
History
Ithome was where the Messenians were besieged by the Spartans in the First Messenian War (traditionally 743–724 BCE). Philip V of Macedon climbed to the summit to sacrifice to Zeus and was advised to seize it, Ithome and Acrocorinth being the two 'horns' that controlled the Peloponnesian ox (Polybius 7.12). Pausanias records that water was carried daily from a spring in the city up to the summit sanctuary, and an annual festival, the Ithomaia, was held in Zeus's honour. The name Voulkano is recorded from the 10th century; the summit monastery dates from no later than the reign of Andronikos II Palaiologos (1282–1328) and was abandoned in the 17th century, when the monks moved to the New Voulkano monastery on the slope of Eva.
Season
Best Mar–May- January: Good
- February: Good
- March: Best (best window)
- April: Best (best window)
- May: Best (best window)
- June: Good
- July: Possible
- August: Possible
- September: Good
- October: Best
- November: Best
- December: Good
- Jan
- Mild; occasional rain
- Mar
- Green slopes, spring flowers
- Jun
- Hot; walk early or late
- Jul
- Very hot, little shade
- Aug
- Very hot, little shade
- Sep
- Warm
- Dec
- Short days; rain possible
Access & Permits
- Fees
- The mountain track is free; the archaeological site and museum of Ancient Messene charge an entrance fee
- Rules
- The summit and slopes lie within the archaeological zone of Ancient Messene: do not disturb or remove ancient remains
- Getting There
Messini (Kalamata for most services)
Kalamata (KLX)
- Car: from Kalamata via Messini to Mavromati (Ancient Messene), about 30 km; parking by the archaeological site and in the village
- No regular public transport to Mavromati was confirmed; taxis from Kalamata or Messini