GORGE OF LOUSIOS RIVER

Text and research by Nikos Aivalis, translation by Eva Trombetas

A mythical river since ancient times springs from the area of Theisoa, crosses a beautiful gorge, to reach the river Alpheios, just a bit outside the stone-built Karytaina.

The gorge of Lousios, is one of the most important sights of Arcadia, as it is a historical place, but also with such rich natural beauty that ranks it among the most imposing gorges in Greece. It is also a religious destination, due to the monasteries, hermitages and churches being around the gorge. His name, Lousios, according to the mythology and references of the traveller Pausanias, it owes it to the fact that the newborn Zeus was bathed there (lousimo = bath), secretly by Saturn, by the nymphs Neda, Agno and Theisoa. Specifically, he was bathed in the springs of the river called "Sources of the Immortals", something that testifies to the antiquity of the place. The Lousios gorge has been declared an archeological site since 1997.

gorge of Lousios

The first part of the gorge is the straits of Karkalou, the point where the two streams of the river unite. The river passes from the west of Dimitsana and ends up at Alpheios, 2.5 km northwest of Karytaina, having traversed 26 km and crossed one of the most beautiful gorges in the country. The gorge has wild and pristine beauty, as well as unique and rich vegetation. The vegetation usually found is plane trees, cypress trees, holly oaks, oleanders, olive trees, maples, willows, poplars, wickers, as well as firs in the places where the gorge meets the ends of the forests of Mainalos, while iris flowers, orchids and other wildflowers give color to the landscape. The gorge’s fauna is also important, with a rich birdlife, which includes snake eagles, common buzzards, common kestrels, etc. Among mammals we may find hares, ferrets, weasels, foxes, hedgehogs, bats, otters and other small creatures. In the reptile fauna and amphibians of the area, hierophis gemonensis, vipers, water snakes, salamanders, frogs, turtles and others can be found.

Lousios

In the gorge there are the monastery of the Timiou Prodromou, the monastery of the Philosophos, the monastery of Aimyalon, as well as the monastery of Kalamiou, monasteries that we have came across with in our article Karytaina and the Mount Athos of Arcadia. Apart from its huge ecological, archeological and religious significance, the gorge is also of great tourist interest. Archaeological sites such as the ancient Gortyna, the Museum of Hydrokinesis in Dimitsana, the monasteries, the beautiful bridges such as the old bridge of Atsicholos in Karytaina, the unique Arcadian villages near the gorge, make the area one of the best destinations in Greece. Apart from the countless attractions, Lousios also offers unique activities, such as hiking from old paths and routes that connect beautiful places such as Dimitsana, Elliniko, Ancient Gortyna, Karytaina, monastery of the Philosophos, monastery of the Timiou Prodromou, kefalari of Agios Ioannis etc. In Lousios, rafting and canoe kayaking are also available.

bridge of Atsicholos