The picturesque, mountainous village of Elliniko (also known as Koulentia) is perched on the south side of Cape Maleas. It is 18 km from Monemvasia and has 180 permanent residents. Built at an altitude of 550 metres, it is surrounded by lush vegetation. In the village with the narrow road, visitors can admire the old stone houses, while in the area there are running waters that take your breath away. For hiking lovers, the Cultural Association has marked several routes. At an altitude of 300 meters, a half-ruined tower served as an observatory to promptly inform residents of pirate raids.
At Elliniko and nowhere else in the world, the rare flower "Linum Hellenicum" grows, from which the village got its name. The village's old name, Koulentia, comes from the Byzantine years and has nothing to do with any Turkish roots. Historically, this is proved by the sacred decree of Andronikos II Palaeologus (1301 AD), which contained privileges to Monemvasia granted by the Emperor and which, today, is kept in the Athens Byzantine and Christian Museum. At the beginning of the document, there is a small sketch of the Emperor handing the sacred decree over to Christ, while the village is mentioned by the name Koulantia.
