Sapienza is a Greek island off the southern coast of the Peloponnese, near the village of Methoni. It is the second-largest of the so-called Messenian Oinousses islands, which are comprised of Agia Marina, Sapienza and Schiza.  The island is known for its many shipwrecks because it is located along the main shipping route between Italy and the Middle East.  One of these shipwrecks occurred in the 3rd century AD and contained columns from the courtyard of Caesar in Caesarea.

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This small island, measuring only about 9 square kilometers, boasts a rich history and natural beauty that captivates visitors. The island's name, Sapienza, is of Italian origin meaning wisdom, as it reflects the historical connections between the region and the Venetian Republic.  Before the Greek War of Independence in 1821, Sapienza island was under Venetian rule due to the treaty of Sapienza in 1209.  This changed after the War of Independence where Sapienza became part of the Greek state.- despite other claims of ownership by various countries.

 

Despite its relatively small size, Sapienza hosts a variety of wildlife that thrives in its diverse ecosystems. This includes snakes, lizards, seabirds, rodents and the famous kri-kri (also known as the Cretan Goat).  It was brought to the island in great numbers in order to protect the species from extinction. Dating back to the Minoan civilization, the kri-kri was very popular amongst hunters due to its tender meat.  This saw greater numbers being hunted and in 1960, the kri-kri was under threat with a population below 200.  For this reason, hunting them is strictly prohibited, apart from the month of November where hunters gather on Sapienza island to predominantly hunt kri-kri (as a form of population control).