Mari or Mario is a mountain village in Southern Kynouria, built on the slopes of Mount Parnonas at an elevation of 655 meters, near the border with Laconia. It is situated in a particularly fertile and lush area with abundant water, near the confluence of the Mitsoula, Kremastiotiko, and Marioremata streams. Its geographical location has, since ancient times, made it a natural passageway connecting Laconia with Arcadia and Argolis, giving it strategic importance within the mountainous landscape of Parnonas.
The history of this area appears to date back to antiquity, as the ancient town of Marion or Marios is located southeast of the present-day village, in the direction of Kremasti, Laconia. This ancient settlement, together with Geronthros, formed the southwestern edge of the Homeric Prasia, while Pausanias mentions Mario during the Roman era as a city that belonged to the Community of the Free Laconians. Thus, Mari maintains a historical continuity that links the present-day mountain village to significant references in the ancient geography and history of the region.
In modern administrative history, Mari has been officially mentioned as early as 1835, when it was incorporated into the then-municipality of Mari, and in 1931 it was designated the seat of the Community of Mari. Despite its small size today, the settlement remains of particular interest thanks to the close connection between its natural landscape, historical heritage, and geographical location, serving as a prime example of the mountain communities of Southern Kynouria.
Stefania Aivalaki designed the seal for the community of Mari
Stefania Aivalaki
Find the stamp at the Elementary School of Mariou
Please contact Panagiotis Skevis by calling 6972777033
Stefania Aivalaki is a graphic designer, design educator, and content creator based in Athens. She is the founder of Drop Studio and focuses primarily on branding, illustration, and visual storytelling, with an emphasis on creating clean, meaningful, and narrative-driven visual identities. She also teaches graphic design and shares educational content about design through her social media and online platforms. She has participated in group exhibitions in Athens and Thessaloniki and is particularly interested in projects that connect art with place, community, and cultural narrative.
Creative approach:
For Mario’s stamp, the creative approach is based on folk printmaking and traditional printing techniques, combining elements of the mountainous landscape, nature, and the village’s unique atmosphere. The work draws inspiration from folk and woodcut aesthetics, aiming to serve as a small “trace of memory” and a travel experience for festival visitors.
