The mountain village of Platania is built on the slope of Mount Elaios (at an altitude of 525 metres) and has approximately 120 permanent residents. It is 11 kilometres from Sidirokastro and 30 kilometres from Kyparissia. It is the last village one meets on the way to Neda and owes its name to the many plane trees (plataPlataniarounding it.
During the Venetian rule, the village was referred to as Platania (Platagna). At the same time, it is also mentioned in various Venetian censuses during the thirty years (1683/84-1715) that the Venetians occupied the Peloponnese.
In Platania, visitors can see the traditional stone-built houses, the church of Agios Ioannis the Forerunner, and the old Primary School, which houses the Cultural Centre, which operates as a collection and exhibition space for books and old objects. In the village’s central square, where you can enjoy a cup of coffee, one can see the bust of teacher Demosthenes Mylonas.
Finally, at a close distance from the village, the newer stone tower house, known as the "Barba Aleko's Tower", dominates the area, as well as the "Nota Arnokouros" open theatre where various cultural events take place.
