This prosperous region possesses many important archaeological sites.
The Peloponnese or Peloponnesus is a peninsula and a geographic and administrative region in Southern Greece. It is connected to Central Greece by the "Isthmus of Corinth" land bridge which separates the Gulf of Corinth from the Saronic Gulf and by the Rio-Antirrio bridge further West. The Peloponnese has been inhabited since prehistoric times, with the Mycenaean civilization dominating the Bronze Age. During Classical antiquity the first Olympic Games were held in western Peloponnese (nowadays the region of West Greece), while the major cities of Sparta, Corinth and Argos played a crucial role in ancient Greek history. During the Ottoman Empire the region was also known as Morea (Morias) and the Peloponnesians played a key role in the Greek War of Independence in 1821. Nowadays, this prosperous region possesses many important archaeological sites including Epidaurus with its famous monuments, like the temple of Asklepios and particularly its theatre, which is considered one of the purest masterpieces of Greek architecture. Its landscapes are diverse with wild mountainous areas, gorges and amazing beaches while its culinary and wine culture is among the best in Greece.