7th Meeting In Arcadia
EVENT REPORT – 7TH XK & E TYPE CLUB MEETING GREECE – ARCADIA JUNE 17-18, 2017 “ET IN ARCADIA EGO”
The 7th XK & E Type Meeting in Greece gathered thirteen shiny cars : 4 Xk’s and 9 E types . We started from Athens to reach one of the most visited archeological sites in Greece: Ancient Corinth.
Despite there were a lot of coaches and tourists, we were allowed to park our Jaguars exactly by the gate of the Apollo Temple, the god of music, poetry, art, oracles, archery, plague, medicine, sun, light and knowledge.
It was quite difficult to take good pictures of our cars because we had to wait enthusiastic people to finish having “selfies” with their mobiles near to them. On the other hand, how could we deny them to enjoy the view of an unexpected “moving museum” and thank them for their congratulations? We would certainly do the same in case we’ll meet a similar convoy!
Ancient Corinth was a flourishing city inhabited since at least 6500 BC. For Christians, Corinth is well-known from the two letters of Saint Paul to the Corinthians in the New Testament.
For the whole world though, it is the birthplace of the first railway. Since 600 B.C. in fact, Ancient Corinth became one of the largest and most important cities of Greece thanks to the Diolkos: a 6.8 km (4.2 mi) long paved ship-track way that connected the west part of the Mediterranean – Corinthian Gulf, to the Aegean Sea, quite in the same layout of the Canal excavated 2400 years after in 1893. This first rudimentary railway enabled boats to be moved overland on an eight-wheels platform pulled by men.
The terrestrial shortcut allowed vessels to avoid the long and dangerous circumnavigation of the Peloponnesian peninsula with a regular and frequent service until the 1st century A.D.. The main function of the Diolkos was to transfer goods, although in times of war, it also became a preferred means of speeding up naval campaigns
Images from the You Tube documentary by Mr. Nikitas Mikas “Diolkos 1500 years”
Due to the tolls paid for the transfers of the ships, Corinth became a very rich city and that’s why they could built also a 15000 seats theater to attend classical comedies, tragedies or music and a large Askleipion: a healing temple, sacred to Asklepion the god of medicine.
In these temples patients came to receive either treatment or some sort of healing, whether it was spiritual or physical. They slept overnight (“incubation”) and reported their dreams to a priest the following day. He prescribed a cure and often a visit to the baths or a gymnasium.
Since snakes were sacred to god Asklepion (he was always represented carrying a stick with a twisted snake), they were often used in healing rituals. Non-venomous snakes were left to crawl on the floor in dormitories where the sick and injured slept.
The sister of god Asklepion was Hygeia, the goddess of hygiene. She carried a bowl to prepare medications and drugs often made by a very precise dosage of snake’s poison. (the Greek name for a healing drug is “pharmako” and for poison is “pharmaki” and that’s why the place where we find drugs is internationally called pharmacy. Nowadays all over the world the symbol of the snake and goddess Hygeia’s bowl is still in use. The World Health Organization chose as symbol the Asklepion stick with the snake to symbolize the mission to heal people from illnesses and sufferance.
Except of an ancient hospital, we had the opportunity to admire the typical elaborated Corinthian order capitals on top of three columns of the Octavia’s Temple, built during the Roman period.
The museum https://www.corinth-museum.gr/en/ displayed a very interesting collection of artifacts, some of them created for the very wealthy inhabitants who could spend money also for fashion, jewels and statues.
In the above photo for example, we were fascinated by the two magnificent 520 B.C. “Kouros” recently restored. They were found in front of a double tomb with human body bones of two men of the same age: most probably two 35 years old twins.
After having observed the beautiful collection of fine decorated bowls for meat and some elegant amphorae for wine, it was logical to proceeded towards the panoramic Restaurant Marinos http://marinos-restaurant.gr/ that is considered the best in Ancient Corinth. They kindly reserved a special parking area for us, as well as their private roof garden so we could enjoy undisturbed the view of the sea and our spectacular cars.
The food was delicious and abundant at reasonable prices. We promise to return the soonest to pay tribute to his incredible chef and discover the rest of his menu.
Only 70 km 44 mi separated us to the mythical Arcadia and we our wired wheels really wanted to rush and reach it!
“ET IN ARCADIA EGO”
The usual interpretation of “Even in Arcadia, there am I” is that “Arcadia” is an utopian garden paradise, a serene pastoral scene for shepherds drinking, dancing and lounging in an endless summer and “I” refers to the shepherds facing the solemn reality that all things must pass, end, die.
In Greek mythology Arcadia was the home of god Pan: the god of wild nature and fertility, companion of the nymphs, protector of the shepherds and, as he played the flute, also the creator of pastoral music.
While the upper part of his body was human, he had legs and horns of a goat just like a faun or a satyr.
Driving through the wild region of Arcadia we were welcomed by god Pan in the form of a peacefully grazing flock of sheep.
We experienced this “encounter” only a few meters away from our Hotel , the magnificent Archotiko Kaltezioti : a traditional family mansion, dating back to 1860 in the Kapsia Village, which has been renovated and turned into a luxury country resort. http://www.kalteziotis.gr/ The vision was a clear message to all of us: “relax in nature”, therefore we parked our beloved cars in their super safe garage and the ladies, just getting in the swimming pool, were immediately transformed in nymphs of the woods.
The gentlemen drivers instead relaxed in the garden attending the “Classic Survival Technical Seminar”: what to do if the fuel pump is on strike, if the carburetors are desperately crying fuel, to choose or not the thermostat with the sleeve that avoid a bypass of warm water, mineral or synthetic engine oil with ZDDP, and other topics like these. All the discussion was “lubricated” by aperitifs, wine or ice creams.
In the evening we really enjoyed the local specialties of the Kaltezioti chef, especially the delicious pork with plums, and the juicy veal slow cooked in the clay pot. This perfect dinner helped our company to relax, chat and make new friends toasting to future adventures together.
We left the Archontiko Kaltezioti surrounded by a light fog that added some mystery to our departing. Maybe god Pan was hiding in the mist to scan our strange iron-horses!
All around Arcadia there are high peaks ideal for ski in winter but also forests with lush vegetation and several streams for rafting and canoeing. Trekking, climbing and horse riding are very popular activities there. There are also Frankish forts, traditional settlements, monasteries and peaceful Byzantine churches.
Only 2500 meters later we stopped and parked in front of one of the most impressive local attractions: the Kapsia Caves www.spilaiokapsia.gr
During a recent exploration of this amazing site, the speleologists (a strange word that comes from spilaio, the Greek name for cave) discovered a new section of the cave with traces of an old flood with human bones and skulls concealed under a thick layer of mud. Pieces of pottery dating back to the 4th century were also found. The cave though is very well known for the most spectacular formations of colorful stalagmites in Greece: fiery red, yellow ochre, aquamarine and snowy white offering a unique exhibition of how nature in its own creates art!
The unexpected mystic morning fog of the hills, essential to help chilling the vineyards before the hot sun hit them, accompanied us until the famous Palivos Estate in Nemea https://palivos.gr/en/ the region where viniculture continues uninterrupted for 3500 years.
We visited their steel facilities for the fermentation of the white wines while our “big cats” were lying by the cork-trees.
And then we proceeded to the cellar, where the young Agiorghitiko wine was relaxing to turn into the most famous red variety of Greece. The intense wine aroma of the fermented grape juice transpired from the French wood barrels inebriated our senses. Mr Yorgho Palivos explained to us the method of their biodynamic cultivation and satisfied our curiosity on why it is so important to refill the barrels. If we just leave wine alone and quite in a barrel, due to the evaporation from the wood pores and consequentially the permeation of oxygen from outside, it will naturally became vinegar. This is also the reason why we should not open a bottle of wine and leave it half empty because the other half it is not really “empty” but “full” of oxygen! The best suggestion in such cases is to use the remaining wine the same day for cooking or the day after as an aperitif before opening a different bottle.
We passed with pleasure “from theory to practice” tasting the fresh and fruity Petrines Plagies (stone hills slopes) white wine, a blend of Chardonnay and local variety of Magagouzia. Then we were surprised by the aromatic Vissinokipo (sour cherry garden) an intense rose’ perfect for serving chilled for summer dishes even with red sauces. The Ktima Palivou with gold label was a feast of black cherries, vanilla, chocolate and smoked wood. We finished every single drop of it and made sure to also fill our trunks with enough bottles for summer parties in good company.
Taking farewell from our gracious host, we pointed our bonnets in direction of the Sofos Tavern in Nemea, the right place to taste local food cooked, of course, in Agiorghitiko red wine sauce.
Club Tour Operators
Classics on the Road
Stewart Cusden
0034 (0) 619 722 185
Club Contact Information
If you would like more information on the XK Club please either fill in the form above or contact Louise Gibbs:
Jaguar XK Club, Hilltop Farm, Knighton-on-Teme, Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire, WR15 8LY, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1584 781588
Fax: +44 (0)1584 781630
Email: louise@xkclub.com