Hundreds of thousands of years ago, Vatika were covered by sea and due to the great reshufflings in the deeper layers of the earth, their geological shape changed many times.

In the Paleolithic and Mesolithic eras, Vatika must have been a populated area, as is shown by the hundreds of tools and scalings that were found in the areas of Ilia and Achaia. Plenty of potteries dating from the Neolithic era have been found in south Peloponissos, verifying that the area was inhabited on an on-going basis: several foundings, especially stone axes and mattocks in the ruins of Vatika settlements show how remarkable the human presence in the area (Ayios Anthreas, Ayia Triatha, Elafonissos etc) has been since the Neolithic era. More information about the area can be traced from the 3^rd millennium B.C., through ruins of settlements and pottery vessels. The economy at this point is based on farming & stock-breading. Around 1900 BC, the great migration of peoples occurs and the Achaeans conquer Peloponissos. Herodotus mentions the formation of important centres in the areas of Assopos, Elos and Via. Via inhabitants develop a remarkable mercantile activity, are in touch and communicate with the people of Cyclades, Crete as well as insular and continental Greece.

 The years from 1600 to 1100 BC deeply define the Greek nation. Almost every significant ancient city or temple originates in the Mycenaean era. Many vaulted tombs as well as pottery are found in Vatika. Three Vatika cities prosper in that era, thus making up the “Laconian Tripolis (three-cities)”: the first one, Sithi, named after King Danaus’ or King Zarax’s daughter. Sithi found refugee in the area of Maleas because goddess Hera was after her. Today the ruins of this city are 2kms away from the town of Ayios Yeoryios. Mycenean tombs have been found there, as well as relics of iron-ore smelting workshops. The second city, that of Etis, was founded by Aeneas, as he sought shelter in Via bay on his way to Italy after the fall of Troy. According to Curtius, Etis can be found south of Neapolis, in the Paleokastro area. Finally, Aphrothisias was built by either Aeneas or immigrants from Cythera; it is positioned between the town Themonia and the valley of Via, most likely in the Psafaki area, where tombs, buildings and relics of walls have been found.

 In the years after 1500BC, Vias, of Herculean descent, appreciating the strategic importance of the area, both naval and economic, founded a city-state and forced the inhabitants of these three cities to unite into a new and modern one. Vias appealed to goddess Artemis to indicate the area in which to build the new city. Artemis sent a hare who ran and hid itself in a myrtle; there the new city, Via, was built. The historian Pausanias (174 AD) mentions how the myrtle and Goddess Artemis-Saviour were still worshipped in his time.

 When the Dorians came to Greece they subdued the six important Laconian cities: Sparta, Amyclae, Pharis, Aegis, Las and Via. In the 6^th cent. BC, Sparta asserted itself over the Laconian cities and the area of Via was the base of naval operations against Sparta’s enemies. During the civil war, it was forayed and looted by the Athenians, to which the locals responded by building much higher walls.

 In the early 2^nd cent. BC, the Roman general, Titus Flaminus, declared the coastal cities of Laconia free, and the “Community of Laconians” got founded. In the years of Augustus it is called “Community of the free Laconians” & becomes an area of  important economic activity. It is also an eminent port and coins with the inscription “Viaton” are issued. The inhabitants are merchants as well as farmers, fishermen and sailors. By the Middle Ages, Viai has become an insignificant village, totally destroyed by the 375AD earthquake –even part of the city had been submersed in the sea.

 Several settlements of no importance appear by the name Vatika (a derivation of Viatika) that are under the immediate threat of pirates. During the Turkish occupation, the Kleftes (=outlaws, thieves) of the area fought for the nation in more ways than one. At the same time, many people from Vatika fought for the Greek independence as members of “Filiki Eteria” (=the Company of Friends), e.g. Demetrius Harames, Petros Harames, Ioannes Harames, Poulovic Vatikiotes, Demetrius-Ioannes Vatikiotes. During the Greek Revolution the people of Vatika distinguish themselves in battle and join the Greek naval forces. In 1936 the area is divided into two municipalities: Vios, with Lahi as its head and Maleas with Pharaklo as its head. In 1940, the two municipalities merge in Via with Pezoula as its head. In 1945 this town is renamed as Neapolis, head of Via, wherein ere included the villages Pharaklo, Mesohori, Kastanies, Velanithia, Ayios Nikolaos, Lahi & Elafonissos.

 Today, the Municipality of Viai is seated in Neapolis and includes the villages Pharaklo, Mesohori, Kastanies, Velanithia, Ayios Nikolaos, Lahi, Kambos, Ayii Apostoli, Ayios Yeoryios, Viglafia, Megale Spelia, Pandanassa, Ayios Mammas and Elika; Elafonissos is a separate community.-