Pikoulianika: Views, Trails and Local History

Pikoulianika is a small traditional settlement at an altitude of 600 metres. Panoramic views look out over the Sparta Valley, Parnonas and the castle town of Mystras. The destination also features springs in several locations, historical traces in the settlement and trails leading to named destinations nearby.

Landscape and Springs

Pikoulianika's viewpoints also include the Laconian plain, Taygetos and the Evrotas River. The plain, river and mountain ranges add to the views of the Sparta Valley and the castle town of Mystras. West of the settlement lies Latzinikos, at an altitude of 1,591 metres. Its name is of Slavic origin; in antiquity, the mountain was called Evoras. This history of the name adds another historical connection to the landscape.

Water also shapes the settlement's character: springs with varying water flows emerge in several locations in Pikoulianika. The largest spring is at the easternmost point of the settlement, in Kyparissi Square. Near the spring are the remains of buildings which, according to oral tradition, are associated with the legend “The Kyparissi (Cypress) of Mystras”. Here, a specific place meets a story passed down orally.

Trails to the Summit and Castle

A mountain trail to the 1,850-metre summit of Koufovouni begins in the centre of Pikoulianika. The Pikoulianika–Kanelakia–Koufovouni route follows a dirt road and then a trail from the road that passes through the settlement, leading to Gaïdourorachi at 1,392 metres and continuing on to Koufovouni. Gaïdourorachi is a waypoint on the route to the summit. Another route follows the road through Pikoulianika for about 950 metres northeast to the Upper Gate of the Castle of Mystras. These routes lead to distinct destinations: a mountain summit and a gate of the castle town. Check local conditions before setting out; conditions and access to the Upper Gate may vary.

Local History and Tradition

The place name Pikoulianika derives from the family name Pikoula. The Pikoula family shaped the area from 1700 to 1900; the parish of Ag. Theodoroi dates from 1828. These details relate to different aspects of local history: the origin of the name and the parish. An old school building in the centre is also part of this history: it serves as a small history museum. If you are planning a visit, check in advance about visiting arrangements. Together with the orally transmitted legend at Kyparissi, these places and names provide different historical and geographical reference points for Pikoulianika.

Choose Your Travel Focus

When looking for a hotel, you can first consider what you want your trip to focus on: the views and springs, the history of the settlement, or a trail to Koufovouni or the Upper Gate of Mystras. This way, you can tailor your search to the specific themes and destinations that make Pikoulianika distinctive.

Discover more destinations: Agios Ioannis, Limeni, Karyes, Sellasia, Agios Kiprianos, Kamares, Mirsini, Alika

For the broader travel overview: Laconia.