In Upper Doloi of Mani, a few kilometers away from Kalamata, there are four monks who have turned the Holy Monastery of the Transfiguration into an ecological paradise and ark, where they rescue and keep rare plants and animals. Elder Gabriel is the abbot here and has a special love for God's creation.
They breed Skyros horses and donkeys from Mani which are endangered. Children with mental problems ride these ponies for therapy. Moreover, native trees and plants such as garlic from Mani and cherries from Taygetos are back again, while special care is shown by monks to the olive trees of about 60 registered varieties.
