Stoupa

Stoupa is a village on the coast of the southern Peloponnese peninsula in Greece. It is part of the municipal unit of Lefktro within the municipality of West Mani, in Messenia and the historic region of Mani Peninsula.
Stoupa's economy is oriented towards tourism.

Geography

Stoupa is located in the region traditionally known as Outer Mani. Approximately from Stoupa is the village of Agios Nikolaos, a working fishing village. Above Agios Nikolaos is the small village of Riglia. Other nearby settlements include Oitylo, Limeni and Areopoli. Below Areopoli are the caves of Pirgos Dirou.
Beaches and coves around the area include Stoupa and Kalogria, both of which feature underground freshwater springs. Many locations of submarine groundwater discharge are easily visible on the sea surface around the bay. The largest groundwater source is located about offshore, with two strong SGDs emanating from fissures in the bedrock at roughly in depth.

Landmarks

The Frankokratia-era Leuktron Castle, constructed 1248-1249, is sited on a hill in Stoupa. It was built when Stoupa was part of the Principality of Achaea to subdue the Melingoi tribes of nearby Mount Taygetus.
There is a bust of modern Greek author Nikos Kazantzakis on a cliff overlooking Kalogria beach. The protagonist of his celebrated 1946 novel Zorba the Greek was based on a real-life acquaintance from Stoupa.