Castle of the Kapetanakis family in Petrovouni, Mani

In the settlement of Charavgi, in Sotirianika, on hill Petrovouni, rises the impressive fortified complex of the Kapetanakis family. It is a kind of small, private castle, typical example of the particular Maniot social and architectural tradition.

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In the settlement of Charavgi, in Sotirianika, in Exo Mani, on hill Petrovouni, rises the impressive fortified complex of the Kapetanakis family. It was built by Captain Georgakis Kapetanakis, one of the 14 “captains” in Mani, leader of the Kapetanakis family and generation.
According to the particular administrative system of Exo Mani, which was in force, at least as a matter of etiquette, until the establishment of the modern Greek state, the “captain” was the local lord of a region, which he controlled from his “fortress”.
Each fortress included a bailey, a tower, a tower-house and auxiliary buildings.

The complex was founded by Georgakis Kapetanakis, a figure mentioned in local folk poetry and in documents of the time. According to the morphology and the owner’s will, the construction of the building began in the late 18th century or in the early 19th century. It is a kind of small, private castle, typical example of the particular Maniot social and architectural tradition. The fact that the name of the master builder, Nikitas Mandrapilios has been preserved, is a unique and absolutely interesting fact regarding its architectural history.
Kapetanakis family was a very respectable family of chieftains in Mani, whose contribution to the Greek Revolution of 1821 was crucial in their region.

The monument’s floor plan is trapezoidal, following the landform. It is enclosed by a wall, which is fortified at points by circular defensive towers and murder-holes. On the east side lie the arch-shaped gateway and the “captain’s” main tower.
The two street buildings on the north and southern side served as residential areas, with auxiliary and storage spaces. As in every similar building of that period, there is also a chapel: it has one aisle, a wooden roof, and it is dedicated to Prophet Elias.
The tower of the Kapetanakis family is open to visitors, and one of the most significant attractions in the region.

(Texts from the website of the Ministry of Culture)

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