Kardamyli

Climate

Kardamyli, like much of Greece, experiences a very mild, subtropical Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. Snow is almost unknown in the town itself, only falling a few times per century. Snow is, however, common in the mountains above Kardamyli, with the Profitis Ilias typically remaining snow capped until early June. Winter rainfall in the area is often heavy, with spectacular flooding in the Viros gorge occurring every few years. In summer, by contrast, rain is scarce. Summer thunderstorms are exceptionally rare, bringing short, heavy downpours. Summertime temperatures usually range around 90–95°F (32–35°C), but heat waves with temperatures above 100°F (38°C) are common. The cooling Meltemi wind which blows across much of Greece is largely blocked by the mountains of the area, resulting in unusually calm seas which are often lake-like in the morning, before the sea breeze kicks up. Spring and Fall are warm to cool with changeable weather. Heavy hailstorms are known to strike the area in early spring and mid fall, sometimes causing damage to the local olive crop, as the olives or flowers are knocked out of their trees by falling hailstones.

Global warming and climate change are especially felt in the area, with summers becoming more tropical – featuring higher humidity with occasional afternoon thunderstorms and warmer nights. Winters are becoming warmer and drier. Due to these climatic changes, tropical plants such as mango, avocado, lychee, and plumeria are becoming a more common sight in the area, giving the town an exotic and lush feel. At night, the town often smells of these new tropical flowers and jasmine, as well as eucalyptus, as light mountain breezes blow the smells through the town.

The following is climate data for nearby Kalamata. It is important to note that winter low temperatures tend to be a bit higher than those of Kalamata as the Taygetos block much of the northerly winds which bring cold air down from the rest of Europe.

|Jan record high C = 23.0 |Feb record high C = 23.6 |Mar record high C = 25.2 |Apr record high C = 29.8 |May record high C = 37.0 |Jun record high C = 41.8 |Jul record high C = 45.6 |Aug record high C = 39.4 |Sep record high C = 38.4 |Oct record high C = 32.8 |Nov record high C = 29.0 |Dec record high C = 26.0 |year record high C = 45.6 |Jan record low C = −4.0 |Feb record low C = −2.2 |Mar record low C = −2.6 |Apr record low C = 3.4 |May record low C = 6.4 |Jun record low C = 10.0 |Jul record low C = 13.0 |Aug record low C = 13.4 |Sep record low C = 10.6 |Oct record low C = 5.2 |Nov record low C = 0.6 |Dec record low C = −1.0 |year record low C = | url-status = dead

Geography

Kardamyli sits at the foot of the Taygetus mountains on the coast of the Messenian Gulf. Much of the town sits on the remnants of a prehistoric lava flow, still visible as igneous rock formations which extend to the beaches. The nearest settlements are Kampos to the north and Proastio to the southeast.

History

Kardamyli is one of the oldest settlements in the Peloponnese, with its current name being mentioned in the Iliad, the epic poem by ancient Greek writer Homer. Many of the townspeople can trace their lineage back to either famed clans of the area (as in the Mourtzinos and Troupakis clans), or the Byzantine Emperor Constantine Palaiologos, one of whose descendants (Dimitri Palaiologos) settled in the region. The descendants of Dimitris Palaiologos typically have the last name "Dimitreas", meaning "son of Dimitri'.

Historical sites

• The buildings of Pano Kardamyli, dating back to Venetian times.
• The church of St. Spyridon.
• The tombs of the Dioskouri, Castor and Pollux (the Gemini twins) are believed to be near a hiking trail just above the old town.
• The ruins of the old soap factory, the smokestack of which still dominates the town's skyline.
• The old customs house, in St. John's harbor (now privately owned and converted into a house).

Gallery

File:Kardamyli.JPG|View of Kardamyli File:Skardamula (Kardamyle) - Schweiger Lerchenfeld Amand (freiherr Von) - 1887.jpg|Kardamyli in the 1880s File:Desk in the P. M. L. Fermor garden near Kardamyli, August 2007.jpg|Desk in the P.M.L. Fermor garden near Kardamyli File:Kardamyli 04.jpg|View of houses File:Eisodia church in Kardamili.jpg|Eisodia church in Kardamyli

References

References

1. "ΦΕΚ B 1292/2010, Kallikratis reform municipalities". [[Government Gazette (Greece).
2. The Iliad by Homer Book IX. ''Ἑπτὰ δέ οί δώσω εύναιόμενα πτολίεθρα, Καρδαμύλην, Ένόπην τε καὶ Ίρήν ποιήεσσαν,'' And will give him seven well established cities, Cardamyle, Enope, and Hire, where there is grass; (translation by Samuel Butler).
3. Germanidou, Sophia. (January 31, 2023). "Saint Spyridon,Kardamyli, southern Greece, postbyzantine church.". [[University of British Columbia]].