A TRIP TO THE WONDERFUL KYNOURIA - PART 1

Text and research by Giota Christoforou, translation by Eva Trombetas

There, just before the beginning of the plain of Thirea, is a village whose name contains two composites. Doliana is divided into Ano and Kato Doliana and we are currently referring to Kato Doliana as we continue our route to south Kynouria. However, we will refer to the beauties of both villages.

Ano Doliana

Painted as an artist's painting, Ano Doliana is at an altitude of 1050 m., causing the visitor to follow the magic of nature, to be left to the caress of its melancholy wind , to admire and collect all that only nature generously offers. The village is constantly upgraded offering the visitor, suitable tourist infrastructure. From here passes the European path E4. Wooden structures for walkers have been built by the municipality in recent years. The old Primary School has been renovated and operates as a traditional guest house while a little higher up is the Model Forest Village. The ancient quarry, famous for the Dolian marbles, known since ancient times, is located just outside the village. The temple of Apollo Epicurius was constructed with Dolian marbles, and the temple of Athena Alea in Tegea. Doliana commemorates the Battle of the Greeks against the Turks in the fight for the liberation of 1821 in the famous Battle of Doliana. In May 2015, the historical and Ethnographic Museum of Doliana was inaugurated. The museum is housed in the "House of Christofili" or "the tambouris tou Nikitaras", because the Greek fighters were also stay here to protect themselves from the enemies. It is open to the public every Saturday and Sunday and the first floor refers to the historical battle and Agios Georgios while the upper floor refers to the folklore manners and customs of the village. The village of Kato Doliana is built over the river Tano. The inhabitants have patron Saint George and every time they moved due to difficult weather phenomena from Kato Doliana to Ano Doliana and the opposite depending on the season the icon of the Saint was always with them. Of course the phenomenon of movement in recent years has almost stopped and residents stay in one place. From Kato Doliana there is access to the waterfalls of Lepida.

old Primary School, Kato Doliana

Heading towards the sea we meet a "Star" (astros = star), sitting on the hill, gazing at the blue color of the sea and the vast green plain. Astros Kynourias is located southeast of Arcadia, in a verdant fertile plain. The castle on the hill was named Castello Della Estella and was built in 1256 AD, by William Villehardouin. As it was in a strategic position, it repelled many enemies and played an important role in the liberation struggle of 1821 and the devastating onslaught of Ibrahim.

Castello Della Estella

In Astros, the Second National Assembly of the Greeks took place in 1823. The Archaeological Museum of the city was founded in 1895 and is housed in the building of the karytsioti school, while its architecture makes it a building of traditional architecture. In the museum's premises the exhibits come mainly from the mansion of Herod Atticus, from finds from archaeological sites of the surrounding area as well as valuable heirlooms from the Loukous Monastery. Northeast at Kotronas there is an outdoor theater of very good acoustics. There is an Old Square Tower 7 meters high in which since 1893 the lighthouse operated. In recent years, the lighthouse was moved onto the hill of the habitat of Paralios Astros. Near it you can see the Church of Profitis Ilias and around it many pines. Here in 1821 Demetrios Ypsilantis landed. Under the lighthouse is the cave of Bouboulina in which there is a tunnel where the transport of ammunition and food for the warriors on the castle. The initiative of students and teachers from EPAL high school it led to the creation of the Folklore Museum of Astros. Objects that with their presence convey the visitor to the image of the simple everyday life of the locals, their profession and daily activity. The profession of shoemaker, winegrower, ganomatis, embroidered weavers on the Loom and many more that are worth to be seen and known to the visitor. Here you will also see the photo box with the wooden tripod that once stood imperious in the village cafe and waited for the photographer.

Folklore Museum of Astros

Very close to Astros Kynouria, in the beautiful Korakovouni I suggest you visit the Olive Museum founded in recent years. This is a private initiative of Mr E. Petropoulos. In the exhibition you will see the machines used by the workers for the production of oil, their knives and tools and in general the older methods of olive oil production. Completing the beautiful picture of the place, we will refer to the clean beaches other crowded and other more deserted, with pebbles and sand , such as Xiropigado, Heronisi, Atsiganos, Anavalos and Kryoneri, but also to the wonderful local products such as sweet cherry, olives, rusks, handmade pasta, capers, oregano and chestnuts.

Olive Museum, Korakovouni

Travelling along the lacy coast of northern Kynouria the absolute beauty of nature overwhelms the visitor. The road charmingly separates the mountains from the sea. The village we meet is called Arcadian Village and is a creation of homes of the Greeks abroad. The goal of these residences highlights the cultural identity of Greece to young people living and growing up abroad and the reunification of the expatriate Arcadians with their place of origin. The small peninsula that hosts the village is in the position Mikri Repontina and is located after Agios Andreas. The houses of the village are beautiful, the view magnificent with the mountain range of Parnonas in the west, the sea challenging to hide treasures for lovers of the deep. The magic of a cave emerges at a depth of 20 m. west, 18 m. length and width 60 m. leaving surprised anyone who sees it. Small and large stalactites are housed in the cave for thousands of years ago and the most amazing is its unlimited visibility. Its deepest point reaches 60 m. and the shallowest 20 m.

Parnonas

Along the coast of the Argolic Gulf emerges the town of Kryoneri, which rightly has this name (kryoneri = cold water). The waters of the land gave their name to this small settlement, which has a beautiful beach ideal for swimming and rest. It is an organized beach with bathers of all ages flooding it. One of the wellsprings of the land supplies water and the opposite neighborhood of Spetses. For your stay there are rooms to let and dining areas. For extreme travelers the underwater cave is looking for loyal supporters.

Arcadian Village

"Learn this, Tsakonas (an old greek tribe) does not fear the tempest, nor the turkish sword" Admiral Miaoulis

And the journey to the municipality of south Kynouria starts from Tyros. Historical data of great travelers, mention Tyros as a commercial port with a special naval tradition of 2500 years. Tyros has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Important testimonies lead us to the cult deity of Apollo Tyritos. Ancient village was located in the ruins of the castle of Lygaria, while the traces of the boat binding testify to the existence of the ancient port. Some remarkable findings testify to the existence of the sanctuary of Apollo one of the most important shrines of antiquity. In its place is built the chapel of Prophet Elias. The area is inextricably linked with the plateau of Paleochora and the castle of Orion, which was important for guarding roads leading to the Argolic and Tegean Plains. It also connected the settlement with the ancient path of Pregasos leading to the plateau. Tyros was a settlement claimed by the ancient Argives and Spartans. However, south Kynouria was under the influence of the Lacedaemonians despite the efforts of the Argives to conquer it. The most important ancient settlements in south Kynouria were Prasies, Tyros, Polichni, Glypia and Mario.

Tyros, Kynouria

The identification of the city of Tyros of Laconia and Tyros of ancient Phoenicia in today's Lebanon comes from the raw material exchange products between the two cities. The Phoenicians who were engaged in trade built a trading port in Tyros in order to be able to transport timber from the vast Acorn lands in exchange for valuable purple red color (a pigment which in combination with a specific shell yielded the purple red color of power). However, the maritime tradition continued during the Greek Revolution, with the transportation of products from tyros to many other distant places such as the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. In recent years the trade of fishing and craftsman gave a famous name to the Tyros. In recent years more and more residents continue the naval tradition of the place. The combination of the mountain and the sea, the crystal clear Coast, and the upgraded tourist infrastructure are able to satisfy even the most demanding visitor.

Lygaria beach

The beaches of each and separate. The award-winning beach of Lygaria has a natural border with the beach of Tyros windmills. Tyros beach is 2 km long and is a tourist resort. Very close is the beach Tigani which hosts the cave of the "lovers", which can be visited by boat. In Zaritsi a great festival is organized every year on May 9th for the patron saint of the settlement, Agios Christoforos. Here you will find organized camping as well as taverns with fine delicacies. Further down the beach of Tserfos with crystal clear waters. In the Greek Tyros Tserfo there are ruins of an ancient fortress which the Spartans used as a natural border with the Argives.

cave of lovers

Sapounakeika is a settlement of tyros built amphitheatrically on the hillside. The locals talk about the cave of the Big Tsakonas, that it is located in the area "Fournos" in the area of Pragasos. Near Tyros is the Monastery of Agios Nikolaos Karya, which is dedicated to the church of Agios Georgios. Tyros was for Karya Monastery the nearest flourishing settlement which was located opposite Paleochora. The Church of Agios Nikolaos Karyas was founded in 1622 and is located near the Monastery of Orthokostas on the road to Prastos. Built at an altitude of 870m. it stands imposing between two heights, the medieval castle of Orionta and Paleochora. Ideal season to visit Tyros is except summer and spring. Where the combination of the myrrh spring with the devout atmosphere of Holy Week balances the uniqueness of nature. Here easter follows the devout rhythms defined by our religion and the customs of the place. On the day of Good Friday, the visitors fishing boats and boats accompany the epitaph with reverence. On Holy Saturday candles light and burn reverently around the sea for the souls of all who have passed away from life, while in the evening fireworks bombard the sky.

Monastery of Agios Nikolaos Karya

Let the eye take you to the villages of Melana and Pramatitis. The village Pera Melana, built amphitheatrically on the slope of Parnonas, largely preserves the tsakonian tradition. The houses are built with the local architecture and the residents speak the tsakonian dialect. In the village you can visit the folklore museum and taste local specialties such as salted sardines, diples and honey, as well as buy the famous tsakonian woven tagaria. In August you will have the honor to attend the big festival of the village for the Virgin Mary on August 15th as well as the Honey Festival that takes place again at this time of year. Kissakas beach with the huge cypress trees complement the beautiful landscape. Very close to Pera Melana, on the hill stands the small chapel of Profitis Ilias and next to it are preserved ruins of the ancient sanctuary of Apollo Tyrita. It is worth noting the important action of the Association, which with numerous activities highlights the richness of the cultural and folklore tradition of the place. Livadi beach stretches just below the small settlement.

The Municipal District of Pragmateftis was inhabited 350 years ago and is located northeast of Leonidio. It consists of two fishing settlements, Livadi and Sabatiki which can mean "as you go there" or have taken its name from cape Savatiko. Whitewashed island houses compose the typical Tsakonochori (village with Tsakones) well as the village church dedicated to Taxiarches.

Kissakas beach