My paternal grandfather is from Vassara near Sparta in the Peloponnese. I've never been there but would love to go. Does anyone have any input on where to stay, what to do in the area? I have no living relatives there that I know of, but I certainly would love to explore that area of Greece.
1 - 14 of 14 Posts
efhernandez_
Active member
I've never been to Vassara but I did a bit of research and it seems like such a cool place. There aren't any attractions I can find on google but It seems like hiking is pretty popular in the area, sorry I couldn't be of more help!
Thanks for your input.
My cousin visited Mystras and she said that it was so beautiful, I believe it's a UNESCO world heritage site!!
Peloponnese area is amazing! If you get a chance to visit the Stoupa and Agois Nikolas area, it’s such a beautiful drive along the coast and north fat from Sparta. Have a great time!
nadellii
Active member
I love Stoupa! It's right by the water which makes it a perfect place to visit for lunch and a beach day
Thanks. My purpose in going there would be to go into the church and check the likes of Baptismal records, if there is such a thing, and to just look around to get a flavor of it...from that location I'd want to explore other places near Sparta...
Wow. I'm getting multiple votes to go/stay in Stoupa if I explore that area. I know someone in our church stays in Stoupa overlooking the water when he visits cousins in his nearby horio.
Hmm...I'll have to research staying in Mystras with staying in Stoupa. Both sound lovely.
nadellii
Active member
Good luck! I went on a huge search all around my family's villages in search of wedding records when I was trying to put together our family tree. Thankfully I found what I was looking for.
Did you actually have distant relatives to direct you around? I know of no living relative in Vassara. However, would you believe there's a Vassara Society in Boston that I became a member of? Interestingly enough, all of its members have roots in Vassara...many have heard of my ancestral name "Anastosopoulos" so who knows. I regret not having asked my grandparents questions when they were alive. Who would have thought in my retirement I'd be all into this!
nadellii
Active member
I only had one aunt help me out, but her memory wasn't so good. The most helpful people were elders in the village, especially the preists and some people who worked for the local government. That's amazing though! I had no idea that there were Greek societies like that in the states! Good luck with your search!
Yeah, I would think the best way to find out ancestral information is to just sit in the tavernas or kaffenios with locals willing to chat. Or going to church and then a coffee hour afterwards. Visiting Greece for an extended time would really be optimum for getting a sense of how our grandparents grew up.
