Editing Pylos (section)

=== The lagoon of Gialova and the beaches of Voïdokilia and Divari ===
{{Main|Gialova Lagoon|Voidokilia beach}}

North of Navarino Bay, near the village of [[Gialova]], the [[Gialova Lagoon|Gialova wetland]] (''Osman-aga lake'') is one of 10 major lagoons in Greece.<ref name="seecorridors">{{cite web |url=http://www.seecorridors.eu/?w_p=23&w_l=2&w_c=6&w_id=380 |title=Cultural Corridors of South East Europe : South East Europe |publisher=seecorridors.eu |access-date=2014-12-07 |archive-date=2015-07-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722223526/http://www.seecorridors.eu/?w_p=23&w_l=2&w_c=6&w_id=380 |url-status=live }}</ref> Part of the [[Natura 2000|Natura 2000 network]], it is considered a place of remarkable natural beauty and as one of the important bird areas in Europe.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.imbc.gr/case_studies/pilos/result/abstract1.html |title=Mediterranean Wetlands Conference, June 5th–9th 1996, Venice, Italy |publisher=Imbc.gr |access-date=2013-08-30 |archive-date=2012-04-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425051100/http://www.imbc.gr/case_studies/pilos/result/abstract1.html |url-status=live }}</ref> It has also been listed as a 1500-acre archaeological site, lying between Gialova and the bay of Voidokilia. Its alternative name of ''Vivari'' is Latin, meaning 'fishponds'. With a depth, at its deepest point, of no more than four meters, its pond constitutes an [[Bird reserve|ornithological reserve]] of exceptional importance in Europe, as it is the southernmost stopover of [[Migrating bird|birds migrating]] between the Balkans and Africa. It gives shelter to no fewer than 270 bird species, among them [[greater flamingo]]s, [[glossy ibis]], [[grey heron]]s, [[great egret]]s, [[little egret]]s, [[Eurasian curlew]]s, [[European golden plover|golden plovers]], [[black-winged stilt]]s, [[great cormorant]]s, [[common kingfisher]]s, [[Ruff (bird)|ruff]]s, [[garganey]]s, but also [[Audouin's gull]]s and birds of prey ([[lesser kestrel]]s, [[osprey]]s, [[peregrine falcon]]s and [[Eastern imperial eagle|imperial eagles]]).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.surfbirds.com/trip_report.php?id=769 |title=Surfbirds Birding Trip Report: Gialova Lagoon, near Pylos, Greece |publisher=Surfbirds.com |access-date=2013-08-30 |archive-date=2013-09-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130914100802/http://surfbirds.com/trip_report.php?id=769 |url-status=live }}</ref> It is Gialova, too, which plays host to a very rare species, nearing extinction throughout Europe, the [[African chameleon]]. The observation post of the Greek Ornithological Society allows visitors to find out more and to watch the shallow brackish waters of the lake; they can walk the paths that circumscribe Gialova's different ecosystems.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ec.europa.eu/youth/evs/aod/hei_form_en.cfm?EID=34000297501 |title=EUROPA – Youth – European Voluntary Service – Accredited organisations |publisher=Ec.europa.eu |access-date=2013-08-30}}</ref>[[File:Παραλία Βοιδοκοιλιά και λιμνοθάλασσα Γιάλοβας.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|The bay and the beach of Voïdokilia]]At the western end of the lagoon is the small [[Voidokilia beach|bay of Voidokilia]], whose cove-shaped beach is regularly ranked among the most beautiful in the world.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> It is bordered on one side (to the east) by the [[Gialova Lagoon|Divari lagoon]] from which it is separated by a dune bank, on the other side (to the west) by the [[Ionian Sea]] onto which it opens, and finally on a third side (to the south) by the Navarino bay. The beach is also part of the [[Natura 2000|Natura 2000 network]]. It is free to access and can be reached by two routes: either by a road from the village of [[Gialova]] which crosses the Divari lagoon, or by a path which crosses the village of [[Petrochori, Messenia|Petrochori]]. On the northern promontory at the entrance to the [[Voidokilia beach|Voidokilia lagoon]] is a Mycenaean [[Beehive tomb|beehive tholos tomb]] known as "''[[Thrasymedes (mythology)|Thrasymedes]]''<nowiki/>', the son of king Nestor. On the heights of the beach, going up towards the ''Paleokastro'', is the cave known as "''Cave'' ''of Nestor''", in which, according to mythology, the king of Pylos was raising his [[ox]]en.

On the way from Voïdokilia to the village of [[Gialova]] to the east, an asphalt road follows the narrow strip of land passing between the [[Gialova Lagoon|Divari lagoon]] and Navarino bay. Along this road is a long white sandy beach which runs along the bay of Navarino: the Beach of the Golden Coast (''Paralia tis Chrysis Aktis'') or Divari beach. It joins to the east another beach, within the village of Gialova, the beach of Gialova.[[File:Palaiokastro view.jpg|thumb|upright=3|The Bay of Voïdokilia, located between the Ionian Sea, the Divari lagoon and the Navarino Bay (panoramic view from the ''Paleokastro'')|alt=|center]]