Native name: Σαπιέντζα | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Geography | |
| Coordinates | 36°46′18.3″N21°42′18.1″E / 36.771750°N 21.705028°E /36.771750; 21.705028 |
| Archipelago | Messenian Oinousses |
| Area | 9 km2 (3.5 sq mi) |
| Administration | |
Greece | |
| Region | Peloponnese |
| Regional unit | Messenia |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 2 (2011) |
| Pop. density | 0/km2 (0/sq mi) |
Sapientza orSapienza (Greek:Σαπιέντζα) is aGreek island off the southern coast of thePeloponnese, near the city ofMethóni.[1] It is administratively part of themunicipality ofPylos-Nestor, inMessenia. The 2011 census reported a population of two inhabitants. Sapientza is the second largest island of theMessenian Oinousses, a small group island which consists of three small islands (Schiza, Sapientza and Agia Marina). Its name is of Italian origin and means wisdom. TheCalypso Deep, the deepest point of theMediterranean Sea at 5,267 metres (17,280 ft), is located south-west of Sapientza.
The island has seen many shipwrecks because it is located over the main sea route between Italy and the Middle East. Some of the wrecks carried important cargo, such as a Toman wreck that carried granite columns from the peristyle ofHerod's temple inCaesarea Maritima.[2] In the south of the island there is an important lighthouse built in 1885. Its height is 8 meters.[3]
Sapientza has lush vegetation with dense shrubland and perennialhollies,arbutus and other Mediterranean plants. It is the only place in the world where thearbutus turn into trees, as they have also formed an entire forest known as ' Kumarodasos' which extends over 240 acres. For this reason, Sapientza and the other Messenian Oinousses have been included in theNatura 2000 Network, with code GR2550003.[2][4]
On the island you can also find a large number ofKri-kri that live and breed there.
Sapientza is known for theTreaty of Sapienza in 1209, between theRepublic of Venice and thePrincipality of Achaea. With this treaty Methoni and Corone remained under Venetian rule and the remainder of the Peloponnese was ceded toVillehardouin. In 1354, the Venetian and Genoese fleets fought theBattle of Sapienza.
After theGreek War of Independence, Sapienza became a part of the Greek state. Nevertheless, the British claimed Sapienza during thePacifico case, as part of theUnited States of the Ionian Islands.
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 4 | — |
| 2001 | 7 | +75.0% |
| 2011 | 2 | −71.4% |
| International | |
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| National | |
