Text and research by Giota Christoforou, translation by Eva Trombetas
Agios Ioannis of Arcadia, a village with many beautiful chapels, birthplace of the benefactor Demetrios Karytsiotis, built near the waterfalls of Lepida and surrounded by green mountains.
The work of the benefactor Dimitris Karytsiotis is very important for the history of the place. Initially the foundation of the Kalimarmaro School in 1798, which although later burned completely by Ibrahim pasha of Egypt, nevertheless gave the opportunity to many young people to attend it, but also with the donation of land of about 48 acres the "Agrokipio", in which an aqueduct was built for the neighboring villages, from which they water until today. Later the school's headquarters moved to Astros Kynourias. The benefactor founded in Tergestie a magnificent building which he called "Astros", as well as the Greek Orthodox community. The village is famous for its dairy products, such as unsalted mizithra, graviera and anthotyro. You can also stay overnight either in a traditional guesthouse or in picturesque stone houses and explore the beautiful nature by choosing alternative forms of tourism, organized by the mountaineering and hiking clubs.
The small green painting that is built on the slopes of a hill, is called mountainous Meligou and is surrounded by traditional mansions, fountains, cafes and taverns, as well as the churches of Agios Georgios, Panagia and the Monastery of Agia Triada, a preserved monument since 1966, with many historical elements from the 17th century, which is abandoned nowadays.
As it climbed the mountainside the village Haradros, a village full of olive trees and running waters. A little further down the cave of Asura. "Like the water of Platanos, you won't find better water in other places, with one sip you don't want a doctor, with two you find a mate" (a traditional quote about water of Platanos). The first thing you will see before you enter to Platanos, is the water friction in which according to the customs of the village, the girls washed their trousseau before the wedding. Just above, the church of Agia Anna, patroness of the village, which celebrates every year on July 25. Stone houses and cobbled streets beautify the picturesque village. Village's natural riches too numerous and abundant. Chestnut, cherry, fir, plane trees and in a short distance the waterfall of Lepida 70 meters high. In the village take place every year the feasts of the moon, love and waters, as well as the Cherry Festival every May, the Chestnut Festival every October and the Tavladoroi (backgammon games) every November. Enjoy traditional spoon sweets in the village square. Access to the plane tree is through Agios Petros and from the village of Kastri. Kastri is one of the largest villages belonging to the Kastri villages. The other six are Perdikovrisi, Oria, Messorachi, Karatoulas, Nea Chora and Elatos. These picturesque villages have many beautiful features, such as the stone houses, the flowery courtyards of the houses, the architecture of the churches and the bridges that are full of legends. One of the legends tells about the bridge of Oria. According to legend, the wife of the master builder was sacrificed to its foundations. In the cavity of a large rock, in the heart of Parnonas is the majestic Monastery of Agios Ioannis Prodromos. The insistence of the monks to build the monastery in this inaccessible place reveals once again the great strength and faith that people hide in us. The monastery celebrates every year on the 5th and 6th of September, honoring the prophet Zacharias, who was the father of John the baptist, and the memory of the Archangel Michael.
After Platanos we meet Sitena. The picturesque fir-covered Tsakonochori is a traditional stone-built settlement, with threshing floors in the yards of the houses, while its residents still speak the tsakonian dialect (tsakonian dialect descends from Doric which was an ancient greek language). Very important is the preserved monument of nature, the forest of Sitena with abundant treasures of nature to surround it. To the left of Sitena is the Loulouga gorge, one of the most impressive and beautiful gorges in Greece, which connects its waters with the Koutoupou gorge located near Kastanitsa and with the gorge of Mazia located in Prastos and from there they end up at the location Tripotama and form the river Vrasiatis, which flows into the Myrto sea, near the beach of Agios Andreas. In the village every year revived customs that have to do with events from the passing of the cycle of life, such as the feasts of the gorges at the end of May, the emigrants and the bread cycle every August. The famous village of Kastanitsa, which once operated 40 lime kilns, stands out beautiful and majestic in the mountain of Parnonas. Beautiful village and this, adorns the village with 4500 acres of chestnut trees. Rich customs of the village in revivals with cultural character, such as the festival of the forest that takes place every August. An important celebration that takes place every October is the Chestnut Festival, with rich dishes from the women of the village. Dances and songs accompany every celebration. Among the sights of the village are the tower houses with the high fences. The tower of Kapsambelis was built in the 14th century by the Byzantines, while it was renovated in 1810 by the chieftain Kastaniotis Kapsambelis. It was two-legged and all around it there were battlements. But in 1948 it was destroyed. Ruins of the tower are preserved until today. The visitor can walk through the paved path with the wooden fence. In the village square, it is worth visiting the church of the Transfiguration of the Savior, where you will admire the carved wooden iconostasis which is a gift of Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia. The iconostasis was constructed and transferred from Odessa to Kastanitsa. The church was built in 1780 with the official permission of the Turkish Aga of Tripoli, who visited the village and was pleased by the hospitality of the residents. Around Kastanitsa there are many chapels. At 12 km outside the village is the katholikon of the monastery of Agios Panteleimon and Agios Nikolaos Kontolinas. The monastery is built in a green and monastic landscape. It is said to have been built in the 15th century and was destroyed mainly by Ibrahim. The rarest herbs thrive in the surrounding area. From here begins the gorge of Mazia. For lovers of hiking there is the 4.5-hour route back through the forest, which starts from Agios Georgios about 1 km above Kastanitsa, to the gorge of Mazia and from there to the historic village of Prastos, is a wonderful and memorable route.
Back to Middle Ages, people wanting to protect themselves from pirates and other malicious invaders decided to build their village on a steep site. They built towers and mansions, following the local architecture. The village was named Prastos and became the capital of historical Tsakonia. Prastos developed economic prosperity and social development thanks to the temperament and abilities of its inhabitants. Shortly before the passage of the destructive Ibrahim, Prastos numbered 9 parishes and 30 churches. After this whirlwind, the inhabitants left for other cities and especially for Leonidio. Nowadays the village is considered a preserved settlement and continues to enchant with its mansions, watermills and beautiful churches. The inhabitants of Prastos, merchants most in the profession, worked abroad and acquired fortunes, gaining the opportunity to build in their village mansions. Next to the church of the village is the bust of Manolis Dounia who pioneered the fall of Tripolitsa on September 23, 1821 when Greek army conquered Tripolis against the Turkish occupation.
On the way to the beach resort of Agios Andreas, we find monasteries and small chapels that wrote their own history through the course of time, such as the abandoned monastery of Eglistourios Prodromos, which is dedicated to Agios Ioannis Prodromos. Just before you arrive in Agios Andreas it is worth visiting the Monastery of the Eortakoustis. As a starting point you can visit the Monastery of Agios Nikolaos Karyas located on the plateau of Paleochori, the Monastery of Agios Dimitrios Reontinos located between the Monastery of Eortakoustis and the Monastery of Agios Nikolaos Karyas. It was also called the episcopate of Reontinos during the years 1296-1429 and took its name from mount Orion. It flourished as a monastery in the 18th century. On a hill near the sea is the beautiful Tsakonochori Agios Andreas. In the village apart from the well-preserved houses, the village square, the cafes and the shops, you will find beautiful churches as well as the stone-built arched bridge. The dependency of the monastery is dedicated to the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary. In the same place you will find the high tower of Venetian construction, while the beach follows the steps of tourist development with a lot of people visiting it. On a rocky hill near the beach are the ancient ruins of the city of Anthini, which, according to archaeological sources along with Thyrea, Eva and Prasies or Vrasies were important cities of antiquity.
The Astros of Kynouria is located in the plain of Thyrea, which is overgrown with olive groves and indicates the majesty of God for this tree. However, according to historical sources, Thurea is believed to have been where the visitor meets today the ruins of the ancient city of Teichio or Elliniko. At a distance of about 8 km from Astros, the sign refers to the hill where remnants of buildings and underground cisterns testify to the walls and relics of an ancient city.
The ancient village of Kynouria, Eva, is found near the village of Kato Doliana. On the site of the ancient city, it was built in the 2nd century AD a magnificent mansion, whose ruins only testify to its exquisite edifice, built by Herod Atticus, who was a famous statesman, a rich Athenian orator, a sophist and one of the most powerful men of his time. From an architectural point of view it is a wonderful project based on strategic urban planning plans. Of the great archaeological finds that came to light, the last one is of particular importance, as it is a column with names of fallen Marathon fighters (battle of Marathon, greco-persian war, 490 BC), revealing Herod's great love for Marathon, his birthplace area. Opposite the villa is the Monastery of Loukous. There are kept ancient statues that come from the archaeological site of the villa. Also, findings from the site were donated to the first Greek museum founded by Ioannis Kapodistrias in Aegina in 1829. Later the archaeological finds were transferred to the Archaeological Museum of Athens. There, the visitor who will tour the site, will have the opportunity to admire a marble Amazon, height 1.90 m., which was found in 1831 in the Monastery of Loukous. The Amazon rests on a pilaster that culminates with a Corinthian capital, the basket of which is located above its head, resulting in the total height of the monument reaches 2.79 m. The statue stands on a rectangular, high, pedestal, with a wavy crown and base, bearing in relief a sole, the characteristic semicircular shield of the Amazons, the female warriors.
Agios Ioannis of Arcadia, a village with many beautiful chapels, birthplace of the benefactor Demetrios Karytsiotis, built near the waterfalls of Lepida and surrounded by green mountains.
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| Agios Ioannis village, Arcadia |
The work of the benefactor Dimitris Karytsiotis is very important for the history of the place. Initially the foundation of the Kalimarmaro School in 1798, which although later burned completely by Ibrahim pasha of Egypt, nevertheless gave the opportunity to many young people to attend it, but also with the donation of land of about 48 acres the "Agrokipio", in which an aqueduct was built for the neighboring villages, from which they water until today. Later the school's headquarters moved to Astros Kynourias. The benefactor founded in Tergestie a magnificent building which he called "Astros", as well as the Greek Orthodox community. The village is famous for its dairy products, such as unsalted mizithra, graviera and anthotyro. You can also stay overnight either in a traditional guesthouse or in picturesque stone houses and explore the beautiful nature by choosing alternative forms of tourism, organized by the mountaineering and hiking clubs.
 |
| Meligou village |
The small green painting that is built on the slopes of a hill, is called mountainous Meligou and is surrounded by traditional mansions, fountains, cafes and taverns, as well as the churches of Agios Georgios, Panagia and the Monastery of Agia Triada, a preserved monument since 1966, with many historical elements from the 17th century, which is abandoned nowadays.
 |
| Haradros village |
As it climbed the mountainside the village Haradros, a village full of olive trees and running waters. A little further down the cave of Asura. "Like the water of Platanos, you won't find better water in other places, with one sip you don't want a doctor, with two you find a mate" (a traditional quote about water of Platanos). The first thing you will see before you enter to Platanos, is the water friction in which according to the customs of the village, the girls washed their trousseau before the wedding. Just above, the church of Agia Anna, patroness of the village, which celebrates every year on July 25. Stone houses and cobbled streets beautify the picturesque village. Village's natural riches too numerous and abundant. Chestnut, cherry, fir, plane trees and in a short distance the waterfall of Lepida 70 meters high. In the village take place every year the feasts of the moon, love and waters, as well as the Cherry Festival every May, the Chestnut Festival every October and the Tavladoroi (backgammon games) every November. Enjoy traditional spoon sweets in the village square. Access to the plane tree is through Agios Petros and from the village of Kastri. Kastri is one of the largest villages belonging to the Kastri villages. The other six are Perdikovrisi, Oria, Messorachi, Karatoulas, Nea Chora and Elatos. These picturesque villages have many beautiful features, such as the stone houses, the flowery courtyards of the houses, the architecture of the churches and the bridges that are full of legends. One of the legends tells about the bridge of Oria. According to legend, the wife of the master builder was sacrificed to its foundations. In the cavity of a large rock, in the heart of Parnonas is the majestic Monastery of Agios Ioannis Prodromos. The insistence of the monks to build the monastery in this inaccessible place reveals once again the great strength and faith that people hide in us. The monastery celebrates every year on the 5th and 6th of September, honoring the prophet Zacharias, who was the father of John the baptist, and the memory of the Archangel Michael.
 |
| forest of Sitena |
After Platanos we meet Sitena. The picturesque fir-covered Tsakonochori is a traditional stone-built settlement, with threshing floors in the yards of the houses, while its residents still speak the tsakonian dialect (tsakonian dialect descends from Doric which was an ancient greek language). Very important is the preserved monument of nature, the forest of Sitena with abundant treasures of nature to surround it. To the left of Sitena is the Loulouga gorge, one of the most impressive and beautiful gorges in Greece, which connects its waters with the Koutoupou gorge located near Kastanitsa and with the gorge of Mazia located in Prastos and from there they end up at the location Tripotama and form the river Vrasiatis, which flows into the Myrto sea, near the beach of Agios Andreas. In the village every year revived customs that have to do with events from the passing of the cycle of life, such as the feasts of the gorges at the end of May, the emigrants and the bread cycle every August. The famous village of Kastanitsa, which once operated 40 lime kilns, stands out beautiful and majestic in the mountain of Parnonas. Beautiful village and this, adorns the village with 4500 acres of chestnut trees. Rich customs of the village in revivals with cultural character, such as the festival of the forest that takes place every August. An important celebration that takes place every October is the Chestnut Festival, with rich dishes from the women of the village. Dances and songs accompany every celebration. Among the sights of the village are the tower houses with the high fences. The tower of Kapsambelis was built in the 14th century by the Byzantines, while it was renovated in 1810 by the chieftain Kastaniotis Kapsambelis. It was two-legged and all around it there were battlements. But in 1948 it was destroyed. Ruins of the tower are preserved until today. The visitor can walk through the paved path with the wooden fence. In the village square, it is worth visiting the church of the Transfiguration of the Savior, where you will admire the carved wooden iconostasis which is a gift of Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia. The iconostasis was constructed and transferred from Odessa to Kastanitsa. The church was built in 1780 with the official permission of the Turkish Aga of Tripoli, who visited the village and was pleased by the hospitality of the residents. Around Kastanitsa there are many chapels. At 12 km outside the village is the katholikon of the monastery of Agios Panteleimon and Agios Nikolaos Kontolinas. The monastery is built in a green and monastic landscape. It is said to have been built in the 15th century and was destroyed mainly by Ibrahim. The rarest herbs thrive in the surrounding area. From here begins the gorge of Mazia. For lovers of hiking there is the 4.5-hour route back through the forest, which starts from Agios Georgios about 1 km above Kastanitsa, to the gorge of Mazia and from there to the historic village of Prastos, is a wonderful and memorable route.
 |
| Prastos village |
Back to Middle Ages, people wanting to protect themselves from pirates and other malicious invaders decided to build their village on a steep site. They built towers and mansions, following the local architecture. The village was named Prastos and became the capital of historical Tsakonia. Prastos developed economic prosperity and social development thanks to the temperament and abilities of its inhabitants. Shortly before the passage of the destructive Ibrahim, Prastos numbered 9 parishes and 30 churches. After this whirlwind, the inhabitants left for other cities and especially for Leonidio. Nowadays the village is considered a preserved settlement and continues to enchant with its mansions, watermills and beautiful churches. The inhabitants of Prastos, merchants most in the profession, worked abroad and acquired fortunes, gaining the opportunity to build in their village mansions. Next to the church of the village is the bust of Manolis Dounia who pioneered the fall of Tripolitsa on September 23, 1821 when Greek army conquered Tripolis against the Turkish occupation.
 |
| Agios Andreas village |
On the way to the beach resort of Agios Andreas, we find monasteries and small chapels that wrote their own history through the course of time, such as the abandoned monastery of Eglistourios Prodromos, which is dedicated to Agios Ioannis Prodromos. Just before you arrive in Agios Andreas it is worth visiting the Monastery of the Eortakoustis. As a starting point you can visit the Monastery of Agios Nikolaos Karyas located on the plateau of Paleochori, the Monastery of Agios Dimitrios Reontinos located between the Monastery of Eortakoustis and the Monastery of Agios Nikolaos Karyas. It was also called the episcopate of Reontinos during the years 1296-1429 and took its name from mount Orion. It flourished as a monastery in the 18th century. On a hill near the sea is the beautiful Tsakonochori Agios Andreas. In the village apart from the well-preserved houses, the village square, the cafes and the shops, you will find beautiful churches as well as the stone-built arched bridge. The dependency of the monastery is dedicated to the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary. In the same place you will find the high tower of Venetian construction, while the beach follows the steps of tourist development with a lot of people visiting it. On a rocky hill near the beach are the ancient ruins of the city of Anthini, which, according to archaeological sources along with Thyrea, Eva and Prasies or Vrasies were important cities of antiquity.
 |
| plain of Thyrea |
The Astros of Kynouria is located in the plain of Thyrea, which is overgrown with olive groves and indicates the majesty of God for this tree. However, according to historical sources, Thurea is believed to have been where the visitor meets today the ruins of the ancient city of Teichio or Elliniko. At a distance of about 8 km from Astros, the sign refers to the hill where remnants of buildings and underground cisterns testify to the walls and relics of an ancient city.
 |
| villa of Herod Atticus |
The ancient village of Kynouria, Eva, is found near the village of Kato Doliana. On the site of the ancient city, it was built in the 2nd century AD a magnificent mansion, whose ruins only testify to its exquisite edifice, built by Herod Atticus, who was a famous statesman, a rich Athenian orator, a sophist and one of the most powerful men of his time. From an architectural point of view it is a wonderful project based on strategic urban planning plans. Of the great archaeological finds that came to light, the last one is of particular importance, as it is a column with names of fallen Marathon fighters (battle of Marathon, greco-persian war, 490 BC), revealing Herod's great love for Marathon, his birthplace area. Opposite the villa is the Monastery of Loukous. There are kept ancient statues that come from the archaeological site of the villa. Also, findings from the site were donated to the first Greek museum founded by Ioannis Kapodistrias in Aegina in 1829. Later the archaeological finds were transferred to the Archaeological Museum of Athens. There, the visitor who will tour the site, will have the opportunity to admire a marble Amazon, height 1.90 m., which was found in 1831 in the Monastery of Loukous. The Amazon rests on a pilaster that culminates with a Corinthian capital, the basket of which is located above its head, resulting in the total height of the monument reaches 2.79 m. The statue stands on a rectangular, high, pedestal, with a wavy crown and base, bearing in relief a sole, the characteristic semicircular shield of the Amazons, the female warriors.
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| Amazon, female warrior, Archaeological Museum of Athens |
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