Peloponneses

Peloponneses, commonly known as the Peloponnese or Peloponnesos, is a large peninsula in southern Greece connected to the mainland by the Isthmus of Corinth. It is bordered by the Ionian Sea to the west and the Aegean Sea to the east, with the southern tip reaching Cape Matapan. The landscape is largely mountainous, with the Taygetos range in the western interior and the Parnon range in the northeast, and it contains fertile plains in Arcadia, Argolis, Laconia, and Messenia.

In antiquity the region was home to key Mycenaean centers such as Mycenae, Tiryns, and Pylos, and it gave rise to Sparta in Laconia and Argos in Argolis. It played a central role in classical Greece and was the setting for the Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta. After antiquity, the Peloponnese passed through Roman, Byzantine, Frankish, and Ottoman rule. Notable ancient sites include Olympia, Epidaurus, and Mycenae, along with numerous castles and monasteries.

Today the Peloponnese is a region of Greece comprising several regional units and many towns. Major contemporary centers include Patras, Kalamata, Tripoli, Nafplio, and Sparta. The economy relies on agriculture—olive oil, citrus, and wine—and tourism, attracted by diverse landscapes, coastal towns, and archaeological sites. The Isthmus of Corinth forms the land link to the mainland, while the Corinth Canal traverses the isthmus. The Rio–Antirrio Bridge connects the Peloponnese with the mainland across the Gulf of Corinth.

The peninsula is notable for its archaeological wealth, historic towns, and varied scenery, ranging from rugged mountains to fertile plains and scenic beaches.