One of the earliest depictions of fortifications of the area is found in G.F. Camocio's isolario(1574), an edition inspired by earlier similar works, and which in its turn influenced later isolaria, such as the one by G. Rosaccio (1598).

V.M. Coronelli, the founder of the Accademia Cosmografica degli Argonauti in Venice, published several editions illustrated with hundreds of engravings, which aimed at exalting Venice's victories during the Ottoman-Venetian war (1684-1687). His works include maps together with plans and views of all the castles in Mani. Copies of these drawings, either identical or with variations, have illustrated the reprints and translations of Coronelli's works since then. The engravings in the 1708 works by V. M. Coronelli are highly appealing, although most plates repeat subjects already published in earlier editions of the Accademia Cosmografica degli Argonauti. In addition, they illustrate historical treatises and geographic works, as well as later travel chronicles such as B. Randolph's (1689), historical treatises and geographic editions (Ol. Dapper, 1688). The work of J.Sandrart (1686) reflects earlier similar engravings dating from the late 16^thcentury. The plates in the work by J. Sandrart (1687) show castles and other location, in their majority under Ottoman rule. Several similar works which highlight the victories of the Venetians against the Ottomans in the Sixth Ottoman-Venetian War (1684-1699) were released during the same period. The editions by J. Enderlin include copies of engravings found in earlier or nearly contemporary popular works (1686). The editions by J. Peeters in the late 17^th century (1690) exalt the victories of the Holy League in the Ottoman-Venetian wars. The plates show cities, ports and other locations in Austria, southeastern Europe, the eastern Mediterranean and places in Asia all the way to India. Clearly influenced by the editions of the Accademia Cosmografica degli Argonauti, G. Albrizzi's work (1687) includes a series of major fortresses, ports and towns, mainly of the Peloponnese.

J. Seller was the creator of the first detailed mapping of the Mediterranean coast, titled “English Pilot...” . First published in the 17^th century, it was repeatedly reissued and continued to be used down to the 19^th century (here in the 1771 edition). Seller's works established the use of the English language in maritime charts and greatly influenced later cartographic editions. It includes maps of the local shores.

D. and Ν. Stephanopoli travelled to Mani carrying a letter from Napoleon Bonaparte to Bey Tzannetos Grigorakis. In spite of the political nature of their mission, the chronicle of their journey included views and drawings of antiquities of the area. Painter O.M. von Stackelberg, who visited Mani in 1813, rendered the figures of a man and woman from Mani with extraordinary sensibility. There is also a portrait of Petrobeis in a drawing by E. Peytier (1830). After his journey in Greek lands, at the begining of the 19th century, Stackelberg was able to render historical locations and antiquities in accordance with the emerging tendency of romanticism (1834).

Adam Friedel painted the portraits of politicians and military leaders of the Greek War of Independence, in most cases from life (Ad. Friedel, 1830 and Ad. Friedel, 1832). His works were highly successful and contributed to the Philhellenic Commitees' work of promoting the Greek cause in Europe. Monuments, sights, archaeological sites and landscapes of geological interest are depicted in the vignettes which illustrate the "Relation" of J.B. Bory de Saint Vincent (1836), which describes the journey of the Section of Natural Sciences of the Expedition Scientifique de Morée.

The highly successful work by Chr. Wordsworth (more of historical narrative than a travel chronicle) includes views of Mani. These views are either copies from other popular editions (such as the ones published in the “Atlas” of the French Scientific Expedition), or executions in a novel style, influenced by Impressionism. A rare scene of everyday life, showing silk farming, is published in the work by A. von Schweiger Lerchenfeld (1887). The drawings, and above all the portraits of artist Fr. Hervé (1837) echo his lively and gracious writing style. The capacity for insight and keen observation evident throughout Henri Belle's text (1881) equally mark the illustrations of his travel account, while picturesque snapshots from Mani are part of Fr. Perilla's tour (1929).

Written by Ioli Vingopoulou