Taygetos

Mount Taýgetos (2,407 meters ≈ 8,000 feet) has the tallest peak in the Peloponnese on the border between the areas of Laconia and Messinia.

Its central crest is a perfect edge and a watershed separating its two sides – the east face full of streams, forests and small fertile plateaux, and the west face with barren slopes and dry gullies.

Two rivers start their journey on Mt. Taýgetos: Eurotas, on the east, flows past Sparti (the ancient Sparta) and enters into the gulf of Laconia, while Nedontas, on the west, debouches into the gulf of Messinia. Taýgetos has many streams, which over the years have gouged out deep ravines.

The tallest peak of Mt. Taygetos is called Profitis Ilias – named after the small stone church built at the very top. The mountain’s other major peaks are Marmarókastro (2,228 meters – c. 7,300 feet), Mavrovoúna or Vassiliki (1,908 meters - 6,260 feet), Neraidovoúna (2,025 meters – c. 6,650 feet) and Halasméno Vounó (2,204 meters – c. 7,230 feet).