Panayia Yiatrissa is located on the Taygetos mountain range where it juts into the Mediterranean Sea and forms the southernmost peninsula of mainland Greece, also known as the Mani Peninsula, ending at Cape Matapan (more commonly called Cape Tenaro).

The monastery sits on a saddle ridge straddling the eastern and western slopes of Taygetos, with the Laconian Gulf visible to the east and the Messinian Gulf visible to the west.
 This location is one of few natural crossing points between the two slopes of the peninsula, and in fact the monastery sits at the boundary between the history-rich regions of Laconia and Messinia.

Panayia Yiatrissa also lies on Europe’s E4 long distance hiking path, as it traverses south from Sparta, crosses Taygetos, and descends to the sea at Gythio.

The Taygetos peninsula has been inhabited since Neolithic times and its archeological sites record several millennia of human history.
 The region was densely populated at times, sought after by numerous empires, and served as a crossroads for invaders, marauders and pirates.
 The population remained relatively high well into the 20th century; however, modern demographic trends and recent economic troubles have severely reduced the population.
 Yet, during summer months the nearby beaches on both Laconian and Messinian shores attract millions of visitors, breathing a tenuous vitality into the area.
 In addition to the beaches, visitors are attracted to the many historic sites and the natural beauty of the region.

Nearby Alepotrypa Cave houses one of the earliest Neolithic burial sites in Europe.

Mycenean beehive tombs have been discovered adjacent to the nearby village of Arna, approximately 2.5 air-miles away (4 km).

Roman era artifacts and burial sites (early centuries AD) are well known in/around the immediately adjacent villages of the Sminos municipality, the closest being at Kastania.

In the 1200s, Frankish crusaders subdued the region and established a major fortification at nearby Mystras.
 After the fall of Constantinople in 1453, and the collapse of the Byzantine empire, the last Byzantine emperor made Mystras his stronghold, holding out for seven years until the city finally fell to the Ottoman Empire in 1460.

During the medieval era the Taygetos peninsula became known as the Mani Peninsula, and the local population became known as Μανιάτες (Maniotes), who claim to be descendants of the ancient Spartans.

During the Ottoman period, the Mani Peninsula became a hotbed of rebellious activity leading up to the Greek Revolution of 1821.
 In an attempt to control the area, the Ottomans established new towns and posted a heavy garrison in/around the Castle of Bardounia, just below Panayia Yiatrissa.
 Many battles were fought within earshot of the monastery, particularly the 1770 Battle of Kastania at the Venetzanakis towers
During World War II, the area around Panayia Yiatrissa was home to many resistance fighters; and then again home to partisans during the Greek Civil war.
Panayia Yiatrissa is located on the Taygetos mountain range where it juts into the Mediterranean Sea and forms the southernmost peninsula of mainland Greece, also known as the Mani Peninsula, ending at Cape Matapan (more commonly called Cape Tenaro).
The monastery sits on a saddle ridge straddling the eastern and western slopes of Taygetos, with the Laconian Gulf visible to the east and the Messinian Gulf visible to the west.  This location is one of few natural crossing points between the two slopes of the peninsula, and in fact the monastery sits at the boundary between the history-rich regions of Laconia and Messinia.
Panayia Yiatrissa also lies on Europe’s E4 long distance hiking path, as it traverses south from Sparta, crosses Taygetos, and descends to the sea at Gythio.
The Taygetos peninsula has been inhabited since Neolithic times and its archeological sites record several millennia of human history.  The region was densely populated at times, sought after by numerous empires, and served as a crossroads for invaders, marauders and pirates.  The population remained relatively high well into the 20th century; however, modern demographic trends and recent economic troubles have severely reduced the population.  Yet, during summer months the nearby beaches on both Laconian and Messinian shores attract millions of visitors, breathing a tenuous vitality into the area.  In addition to the beaches, visitors are attracted to the many historic sites and the natural beauty of the region.
Nearby Alepotrypa Cave houses one of the earliest Neolithic burial sites in Europe.
Mycenean beehive tombs have been discovered adjacent to the nearby village of Arna, approximately 2.5 air-miles away (4 km).
Roman era artifacts and burial sites (early centuries AD) are well known in/around the immediately adjacent villages of the Sminos municipality, the closest being at Kastania.
In the 1200s, Frankish crusaders subdued the region and established a major fortification at nearby Mystras.  After the fall of Constantinople in 1453, and the collapse of the Byzantine empire, the last Byzantine emperor made Mystras his stronghold, holding out for seven years until the city finally fell to the Ottoman Empire in 1460.
During the medieval era the Taygetos peninsula became known as the Mani Peninsula, and the local population became known as Μανιάτες (Maniotes), who claim to be descendants of the ancient Spartans.
During the Ottoman period, the Mani Peninsula became a hotbed of rebellious activity leading up to the Greek Revolution of 1821.  In an attempt to control the area, the Ottomans established new towns and posted a heavy garrison in/around the Castle of Bardounia, just below Panayia Yiatrissa.  Many battles were fought within earshot of the monastery, particularly the 1770 Battle of Kastania at the Venetzanakis towers
During World War II, the area around Panayia Yiatrissa was home to many resistance fighters; and then again home to partisans during the Greek Civil war.
Monastery of Panayia Yiatrissa