The villages in the Nedon valley, namely Artemisia, Alagonia, Nedousa, Piges, Karveli and Ladas stretch along the northeastern part of Messenia. The main geographical feature here is the dominant massif of Mt. Taygetus. The villages are referred to as “Pisinochoria”, a name that traces its origin in the period when the region was part of Laconia and according to the Laconians they were behind (piso) the Taygetus ridge. The region, which was part of ancient Dentheliatis, was the border between Messenia and Laconia. The sanctuary of Artemis Limnatis was located here and was associated in ancient sources with the outset of the Messenian wars. In the byzantine period it was inhabited by the Melingoi or Milingoi Slavs, who were gradually assimilated into the Greek population. Only the Slavic toponyms remained (Sitsova, Tsernitsa, Anastasova), which, despite the new village names, have remained alive for the locals. During the Ottoman period, due to its rugged geography and its militant people, Alagonia was considered as a refuge, with notable religious and educational activity. Alongside the villages of Exo (outer) Mani, Alagonia played an important role in the struggle against the Ottoman slavery. The foundation of several monasteries since the 16th century and, above all, the school that was established in 1712 in the monastery of Ag. Ioannis Prodromos (St. John the Baptist) in Mele, Aremisia, are reflections of a relative freedom and of an effort for cultural growth. The route ends at the historic monastery of Velanidia, the starting point of the 1821 revolution and the liberation of Kalamata from the Ottoman rule.