The traditional settlement of Kipoula (or Kippoula) is built at an altitude of 200 metres and has only 30 permanent residents. It is 26 km from Areopolis and 56 km from Gythio. The name of the settlement comes from the ancient city of Ippola. Today's Ano Poula is the Ano Ippola, the ancient acropolis. A census of 1618 records that Kipoula (the then Ano Poula) had 30 families that lived there permanently. However, in the middle of the 17th century, the settlements on the rock were abandoned, and the population moved lower.
Kipoula is one of the oldest settlements in Mani. The Michalopoulos family also lived in this settlement. Surnames ending in -opoulos are rare in Mani. However, there are some. The Michalopoulos family was also called Horvalis. During the Greek Revolution, four members of the family from Kipoula actively participated in it. In fact, Panagiotis Michalopoulos, born on August 15th, 1812 (9 years old at the beginning of the Revolution), participated in many military operations, despite his young age. This information is confirmed by a certificate of 1840, which is signed by Petrobeis Mavromichalis, Nikitaras, Chatzichristos and Christodoulos Kapetanakis. The "Michalopoulian tower house" is a typical example of the settlements of Mani during the 18th and 19th centuries. It includes an older construction, an arch with a double roof covered with marble and stone. Next to it, around 1860, the tower was erected, which must have reached a height of 7-8 metres in its original condition. For safety reasons, the lower floor was "blind" to the side of the road.
At Kipoula and Ano Poula, visitors will meet many churches with remarkable frescoes. It is essential to mention that in the period 945-988 AD., Osios Nikon, the "Repent, who built many churches, especially in mountainous areas, to eliminate the last traces of paganism in Laconia", lived in the area. Many of the churches of Ano Poula date back to this period:
Church of the Savior (Sostis): The church is located at the northern end of Ano Poula, in which a few frescoes are preserved.
Church of Agia Eleousa: The church is built in a cave on the cliff of Thyrides. It was also a monk's residence.
Ai Gitas (Agios Nikitas): The visitor will meet the small church at the beginning of the road that ends at the castle.
Panagitsa Kipoulas: After Ai Gita, visitors can see the small church of Panagitsa with the cross of the Crucified Jesus.
Church of Agios Filippos: The church is located at the eastern end and at the edge of the cliff. It dates back to the 11th century with a vaulted, half-ruined roof, frescoes and sculptures made by Nikitas Marmaras.
Church of Agioi Anargyroi: The church is located northeast of the settlement. It was built in the 13th century (1265) and has remarkable frescoes.
Church of Agia Paraskevi: The church, which dates back to the 10th-12th century, is located in the centre of the settlement of Kipoula. Inside, the visitor can see many built-in reliefs, which have been transferred from the castle of Ano Poula. The newest church of Agios Dimitrios has been built around the church.
Church of Agios Georgios and Agios Theodoros: At the eastern end of the castle of Ano Poula, the visitor can see the church of Agios Georgios (the smallest) and the church of Agios Theodoros (the largest). Their hagiographies belong to different periods, from the 11th-14th century. Unfortunately, both churches are abandoned and semi-destroyed internally. A little further, the visitor can see the ruins of Ai Lias (Saint Elias) and the double church of Agios Nikolaos and Agios Georgios.
Finally, on the road to Stavri, you can visit Barvatianika (Pori), the well-known district of Kipoula with its few houses.
