Manna brings together village history and a location at the foot of Mount Ziria. Churches and the Gkoura spring add to the picture of the village, while a hiking trail in the wider region leads toward the summit. This distinction is useful when planning: the village features and the regional hiking option are separate points of interest.

Village character and origins

Manna lies at the foot of Mount Ziria, at an elevation of 850 metres. Traditional houses and numerous apple trees characterize the village. Manna was founded after 1800 by settlers from Barbitsa and Langadia in Arcadia. The settlers’ places of origin make this part of the village’s history concrete, while the elevation and mountain foothills establish its geographical setting. Two distinct questions therefore sit side by side: where Manna is located and which places its settlers came from. The houses and apple trees add features of the village itself to this picture. If you would like to consider a place both in terms of its location and its origins, Manna offers different points of reference for doing so.

Churches and building history

The central Church of Saints Constantine and Helen was begun in 1880 and completed around 1920. Its construction thus spanned several decades. The church is also associated with a story of community fundraising: a generous donation from Filipas, the poorest villager, prompted other residents to increase their contributions to the central church. This account supplements the construction dates with a specific contribution from the village community and its effect on subsequent donations.

Manna also has churches dedicated to Saint Vlasios and Saint Athanasios, as well as churches dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the Prophet Elias and the Holy Trinity. The Church of Saint Dimitrios was built by the family of military leader Varvitsiotis. Different dedications are thus accompanied by a specific attribution of the building work. The construction period and fundraising story of the central church are on record; the family that commissioned the Church of Saint Dimitrios is also named.

Gkoura spring and fulling mill

The Gkoura spring is at the edge of the village. Abundant clear water emerges there from a rocky cave. The water-powered fulling mill is another local feature connected with water: it was used to wash carpets and blankets. A watermill once stood at the same site. These are two distinct local features: Gkoura as a natural spring outlet, and the fulling mill, with its connection to textile washing and its history as a watermill.

Hiking trail toward Mount Ziria

For a hiking-focused outing, look to the wider region. From Manna, you can drive to a hiking trail leading toward the peaks of Mount Ziria. Responsibility for marking the trail was transferred to the Municipality of Xylokastro. This regional excursion offers a different focus from the features within the village: the emphasis here is on the route toward the peaks. If you include it in your plans, check the current trail markings and access conditions in advance.

Discover more destinations: Panorama, Sofiko, Karya, Kato Almiri, Korfos, Kiato, Athikia, Velo.

For the main travel overview: Corinth.