Nestled at the foot of the mountain leading to the village of Pellana is the simple, unpretentious house of Peter Adamis. Over the years, he modified and improved the dwelling which had been built by his parents over a stable in which Peter and his brother were born. It became his second home.
However, nestled on this piece of land are more than just a house and a vegetable garden; it also holds the inspirational and emotional Hellenic ANZAC Memorial Gardens. This stands as a tribute to those of Greek heritage who served in the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps and is a crowning achievement of Peter’s legacy.
The site was conceived by Peter and hand built, rock by rock, by Peter himself and his devoted friends. “This project became a source of purpose and fulfillment, allowing me to honour those who had come before me and to contribute to something greater than myself,” Peter wrote.1 “[It allowed] me to channel my energy into something meaningful. It gave me a sense of purpose and connection to my heritage, as well as a way to honour the legacy of those who had sacrificed for our freedom. This endeavour was not just about creating a monument; it was about building bridges between cultures and fostering understanding.”
The culture of Pellana has long been a focal point of Peter’s intensive studies. His historical research of Pellana’s consequential place in the Hellenic story is legendary among his friends and local villagers. During my visit in 2017, he took me on a tour of ancient Pellana ruins. With insight and intellectuality that revealed years of research, he shared facts and hypotheses, stories and anecdotes about Mycean tombs, Menelaus and Helen, history and folklore.
Born in Pellana and raised in Australia, Peter has melded his two cultures into one remarkable life. He is a prolific and thoughtful writer who has authored over 20 books and many personal narratives. All are hosted on his Abalinx website and available as free pdf downloads. A link to the webpage listing his books is here; click on an image to access the book.
Explore its rich collections via the dropdown menus at the top
Peter’s years of deep research into the history of Pellana from ancient times to present is now published in Pellana, a book available here.
A companion volume, Pellana and Travellers in the Peloponnese, can be downloaded here.
Peter’s historical writings and personal reflections reveal the soul of a man who yearns to “record as much as I can for future generations.”2 For this, and for dedicating this season of his life to lifting and memorializing others, I honor him as a dear friend. We are kindred spirits.
Peter can be contacted through or via email: abalinx1950@gmail.com
1https://abalinx.com/blog/cancer-and-resilience/
2Personal message, Peter Adamis to Carol Kostakos Petranek, September 8, 2025
Spartan Roots (Σπαρτιατικές Ρίζες) 