Cranae

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Cranae (Ancient Greek transliteration: Κράναι) is an island off the coast of Gytheio. According to legend, when Paris of Troy abducted Helen from Sparta they spent their first night in Cranae. When Gytheio became the major port of Sparta Cranae became a resting spot for traders. After the rest of Greece capitulated to the Ottoman Turks only Mani remained free. The beys of Mani fortified Cranae with a Maniot pyrgo called Tzannetakis Tower. After Greece won its independence the island's importance declined. Now Cranae holds Mani's Historical museum and is a place for excursions.