Gytheio (, ), the ancient
Gythium or
Gytheion , is a town and a former municipality in
Laconia,
Peloponnese,
Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality
East Mani, of which it is a municipal unit. It was the
seaport of
Sparta, some north. Gytheio used to be an important port until it was destroyed in 4th century AD, possibly by an earthquake. Today it is the largest and most important town in
Mani. It is also the seat of the municipality of East Mani.