BYZANTINE HISTORY
A
s early as 1200, in the region of Epidavros-Limira, wealthy landowners started building in their large estates mansions and wineries and produced the exceptional wine of Malvazia.
The castle of Monemvasia became a commercial hub from where the famous wine was transported to the ports of the Mediterranean.
A sweet wine with a unique flavor that is even mentioned by Shakespeare in Richard III where he asks to be killed in a barrel of Malvazia wine.
The story of Liotrivi Boutique starts in such a mansion. In its large estate the white grape varieties are cultivated, and in the bright porches and the courtyards the grapes are sun-dried, while in the vineyards the well known wines of Malvazia age. At the same time, the traditional cultivation of olive is kept alive and the many centuries - old olive trees of the estate prove that.
LIOTRIVI BOUTIQUE MUSEUM
Stone wheels that traveled from Milos, cast iron presses made in Piraeus. Wooden tools made of wild yew from Parnon and other smaller handmade tools and devices found for the first time together in this area in 1926 to form integral parts of a model oil mill which, by the method of cold pressing, produced for many years extra virgin olive oil.
Today, about 100 years later, is still there well maintained and ready to operate again, impressing visitors with its functional simplicity and intelligent use.
MODERN HISTORY
D
uring the period of the Ottoman Empire (1460 - 1821) the mansion is inhabited by Turkish officials who use it as a residence. It was rebuilt to its present form between 1750 and 1780. After the Greek Revolution it passed to the well known Ritsos family of Monemvasia (the family of the poet Yiannis Ritsos).
The estate was cultivated by the family and at the time of Eleftherios Ritsos (the father of the poet) it was used as a summer house by the poet's family.
The family would move to Athens in 1928 for the sake of the children’s education and the house changed owner in 1929.
In 1930, the ground floor of the mansion is turned into a traditional oil press that will meet the needs of the area regarding the processing of olives and the production of pure virgin olive oil, using pioneering for its time methods and techniques until 1967 when it stopped operating.
There were two stages in the processing of olive oil. During the first stage of the pressing, they used initially a mill made by a big stone from the island of Milos while in 1946 it was rebuilt with the addition of two more stones from Milos and the original stone was used as a base on which the new ones turned with the help of a horse.
For the second stage, the stage of squeezing, they used a large, double, cast iron press made in Piraeus. Many other tools and machinery made of wood, stone, ceramic and animal skin, which were locally made, were used during the long years the oil press was in operation. An extension to the northern side of the mansion, served as storage area for the fruit and the animal feed.
Following the restoration of 2004 - 2009, a boutique hotel was created that is worthy of its long history and which is waiting to guide you through it not only with the facilities and experiences it provides, but also by creating new experiences that will make you part of its modern history.
