Small, deserted, in the deep blue of the Ionian Sea, in the southwestern part of the Peloponnese facing the coasts of Methoni and Finikounda, lie the three beautiful islands of Messinia that constitute the Oinoussai complex. These islands are: Sapientz, Schiza, Santa Marina

Each one of these islands has a remarkable uniqueness and each of them harbour a natural environment of rare beauty. They hide spectacular vegetation in their hills, home to wild birds and animals. They are surrounded by calm bays with crystal clear waters and an enchanting sea floor strewn with ancient shipwrecks. They have provided shelter to conquerors, sea farers, shipwrecked people, pirates and all sorts of travellers in the Mediterranean. Almost untouched by human intervention, they retain an exotic beauty that combined with the joy of discovery and exploration, make them one of the last island paradises of our country. All this beauty is discovered by the traveller who will approach them with respect and explore them.

An island south of Methoni with a natural environment that captivates the visitor starting by rocky areas and ending in forests and ravines rich in strawberry trees (Arbutus Unedo). History and legend touch the imagination of the visitor challenging him to look for the lost monastery or remember hearsay looking for Manetta's cave. The mystery of the island becomes stronger because its real historical development is virtually unknown so each visitor can be a potential explorer.

FLORA AND FAUNA OF THE ISLAND: There is rich Mediterranean growth in Sapientza, of Pistacia lentiscus, Quercus coccifera, strawberry trees, Olea europaea sylvestris, Myrtus communis, Kalycotomus sp., thyme, poaceae, gramenae, Papilionaceae.We also see tall olive trees that reach 10 meters in height. An area covering 240 acres has been announced "Natural Preserve Monument" by the state.

Concerning game, in 1982, 1100 pheasants where released, while until 1986, twenty wild goats (kri-kri) and 26 sheep. Nowadays, the populations is estimated to be about 700 animals, (400 sheep and 300 chamoes).

Each year, a decree of the General Secretary of the Perfecture of Peloponnese states the time and the particular days that hunters from all over the country can visit the istland to hunt wildsheep, wild goats, pheasants, growse, Scolopax rusticola, Coturnix coturnix, Turdus philomelos. Since the area is controlled by the Forestry of Kalamata, each hunter has to contact the Forestry in order to get the required permission. The prices and the particular number of each species of game are stated by the forestry. The hunters can leave for the island from the port of Methoni at 8.30 in the morning and return at 2.00 in the afternoon.

The most important and beautiful island in the Oinoussai complex is Sapientza. It has been the favourite docking place for every fleet that had business with the cities of Methoni and Koroni, these important cities of the Mediterranean during the whole span of the middle ages.

With the Sapientza Treaty in 1209 it passed in the hands of the Venetians. It has been used as adocking area for the Turks and the Venetians during the third Venetian-Turkish war, and as a base of operations for the Greek fleet in 1825.

The ships that usually sailed near the coast of the island frequently crashed on its rocky coast resulting in the discovery of many important shiprwrecks from all the historical periods. One of these sank at the north part of Sapientza with its stolen cargo which was the pillars from the Grand Peristyle built by Herod in Caissareia, Palestine, in the 1st century A.D.

Another great shipwreck located in the northwest of the island, is the Sarchophagi shipwreck as it is called (Roman sarchophagi by sculpted titanian stone). The shipwrecks around Sapientza are so numerous and important that there is a thought for the creation of an underwater archaeological park.

Sapientza is a low island with an area of 9 square kilometres, its highest peak being on its north part, Foveri, at a height of 219 m. The slopes of the island climb up in lush greenery, and the crlystal clear waters of the sea, have a unique exotic colour.

Important sites:

The coastline of the island is rocky steep in some parts, while gentle in others. There is only one sandy beach on the island but is a real gem. This beach is located on the north part of the island, facing Methoni and is called Ammos. It is protected by the northwestern winds and has a basic docking area and a wooden gazeebo where one can rest.

On the northern hills of the island is a location called "Fragkokklisia". This may be the place where the Benedictine monastery (or St. John's of Jerusalem order) was located, where the treaty of Sapientza was signed, in 1209.

On the east side of the island, a rocky bay is located, called Maghazakia, where a good dock is. This is where the path that leads to the heart of the island, starts. There, the mountains form a natural fort around the protected valley, where a miracle of nature is preserved intact, the only Mediterranean Strawberry Tree Forest. It is comprised of trees, not bushes, with a height that is well over 10–12 m., which develop so much due to its isolation as well as the climatological conditions in the past 10.000 years. The forest and surrounding area of 24 hectars has been declared a natural preserve monument since 1986. Before this forest, an unusual sight is revealed: in the deep of the lushious green valley, in the center of the island, instead of vegitation, there is an orange-green plateau. This is a strange stone that was created by huge volumes of pollen that were concentrated there. This particular valley is named Spartolakka nad is the best source of information on the island for the scientists, concerning the dating of the forest.

The surrounding slopes are coverd in thick Pistacia lentiscus, Quercus coccifera, Olea europaea sylvestris, Calycotome villosa, Querqus ilex, and wild flowers. The vegitation is wild and thick. It is the habitat for herds of wild animals and birds. Here we meet herds of wild cretan wild goats (known as krikri) as well as wild sheep (mouflon). Through the vegitation, pheasants, growse, Columba livia, Scolopax rusticola, Turdus philomelos, spring up in the air.

It is usual for the visitor to come upon the previously mentioned inhabitants of the island. the area is controlled by the forestry dividion and hunting is allowed in it for a few months only, and for a particular number of game, under the supervision of a chaperon. In this way, the populations on the island are preserved.

To the south, we come accross a large closed bay, Porto Logo the safe harbour of the sailors and the fleets. coming into the bay, we pass by the islet of Bomba, where according to legend the Apostle Paul landed when his ship sailed into a storm on its way to Rome. The bottom of the bay is strewn with shipwrecks.

On the south part of the Porto Loggo bay, a path starts, via which the visitor can visit the south part of the island where the lighthouse of Sapientza is located. It is an impressive octagonal stone building of 18 metres in height built by the English circa 1890. At its base there are rooms for the lighthouse personnel. By climbing the 75 stone steps we reach the top of the lighthouse. The view is spectacular. The distance covered byt the lighthouse beam duriing the first years of its operation was 40 miles, while today, this distance has been reduced to 27 miles.

At the southest part of the island there are two islets, called Dyo Adelfia. To their southeast, the Oinnousai Pit is located, an underwater abyss that reaches to the deapest part of the Mediterranean, at 5.121 m., where reasearch for the "NESTOR" experiment is cunducted and has to to with neutrinos and the past of the universe. Many greek and international institutions contribute to this effort.

The west coasts of Sapientza are steep and wild, almost always stormy. In this part the protected small bay of Maneta is located. Legends tell us that the renown pirate Manetas used the cave that was here as his hideout, and launched all attacks to passing ships from here. Nowadays, the cave does not exist.

Schiza

West of cape Akritas, lies the biggest island of the Oinoussai, Schiza, called Cabrera of Carbera in the past. Schiza is an island with an irregular shape, covers and area of 12 square kilometers, and its tallest peak is Vigla at a height of 201 metres on the north part of the island. Its shoreline is rocky with deep waters and there is only a closed calm bay on its south side. Schiza is covered by bushes and herds of goats graze on its soil. Access to the island is forbidden because it is used as a military exercise firing field by the Air Force.

Interesting sites: On the northeastern slopes of Vigla and at a distance of 350 m from the sea, there is a remarkable unexplored cave known as "Mavri Trypa" (the Black Hole). The cave lies in Eocene and Palaeocene limestone. Passing through the cave is extremely difficult. The place that the bold explorer can reach is the gallery which is split into smaller chambers. The sight of stalactites and stalagmites is spectacular. Coarse unpainted pottery dating to pre-historic times have been discoverd. The cave is of Archaeological, Geological and Touristic interest.

Santa Marina

It is located between the islands of Schiza and Sapientza. It is a small, low island covered in rich underbush. The church of Santa Marina is located on the island, which pilgrims visit on the 17 of July each year.

NATURA 2000

The above area has been part of the NATURA 2000 programme.