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Arkadia |
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| History
Arcadia had been the homeland of the Pelasgians, and was later inhabited by Dorians. Ancient Arcadian cities had many colonies. They sided against Sparta, with which they had always been at odds. The League of the Arcadians was founded in Megalopolis on 369 B.C. and, later, Arcadia joined the Commonwealth of Achaia. Under Roman Rule, it began to decline and was subsequently deserted after raids by Alarichos and the Slavs. Franks came in the 12th Century, and it was later overrun by the Turks in 1458. It was the site of major and decisive battles in the War of Independence of 1821. Tripoli (km. 165). The heart of the Peloponnese throbs in this city and its population of 22,000, built at an altitude of 650 meters (2,000 feet) in the heart of a richly cultivated environment. It was a major administrative and military centre under Ottoman Rule, subsequently playing a leading role in the War of Independence of 1821. At the centre of the city. a typical neoclassic building houses the Malliaropouleios Foundation, the house of poet Costas Karyotakis and a large courthouse on Plareia Areos (main square). The Byzantine church of Agios Vassilios, the cathedral of the city, and the Monastery of Panagia tis Epano Chrepas, stand not far from the city. The archaeological museum contains finds brought to light during excavations at various ancient sites of Arcadia. There are many picturesque villages all around Tripoli: Steno, Vouno, Rizes and others, for short rides through a beautiful landscape. You may also visit the Agios Nicolaos Monastery at Varson (12 km) and the Gorgoepikou Monastery (17 km, alt. 650 m). The region of Ancient Tegea, a most important town of Arcadia in ancient times, is 10 kilometers away from Tripoli, situated lying between the villages of Alea and Stadio. The ancient temple, destroyed by fire on or about 395, was rebuilt by sculptor Skopa in 340 B.C. to house the ivory statue of Athena, of which only a few fragments remain. Tegea had a considerable market, a marble theatre (175 B.C.) and a stadium, site of the Aleaia local athletic events. The church of Episcope (built 1888) stands on the trough of the theatre. The Tegea museum displays numerous local archaeological finds. Ruins of Mantineia, another famous ancient city, lie some 12 kilometers from Tripoli. They include pans of the theatre, the local assembly and temples. Beaches Moving southwards, beautiful shorelines and sandy beaches stretch all along the coast of Arcadia: Xiropigado, Paralio Astros, Agios Andreas, Tyros and its shining waters. Sapounekia, Livadi, Sabadaki, Lakkos, Plaka Leonidiou .and Poulithra. Surroundings Megalopolis (km 34). Lying in the heart of a fertile plain, Megalopolis flourished again when a large unit of the Public Power Corporation was built (here thirty years ago.In ancient times, it had been the site of Megali Poli, seat of the Arcadian Federation established after the Battle of Lefktra (371 B.C.); destroyed by Spartans (222 B.C.) Latest excavations brought to light remnants of buildings of the Agora (assembly, arcade, gymnasium, a shrine of Zeus and others) as also parts of a theatre, ranking among the largest of its kind. The local museum houses finds gathered at local archaeological sites. Lykosoura Fifteen kilometers away from Megalopolis. According to Pafsanias, it was the oldest city in the world. The museum stands on a height. It includes sculpted objects from the shrine of Despina, and reproductions of large statures of ancient gods. Karitaina (53 km). This picturesque village was declared a preservable residential district. In ancient times, Crenrhi stood here, the region playing a leading role both through Frank and Turkish Rule. One of the most famous forts of the Peloponnese is Karitaina, on the southern edge of the Milage, and a typical example of 13th Century fortification-related architecture. Th. Kolokorronis moved to (his fort in 1821. The Alfeios Bridge with its six arches is another sight ol the region. Stemniisa (45 km). A mountain village in Arcadia, with tall, stone-impress the visitor: Zoodochos Pigi (15th Century), Treis Ierarches and Panagia e Bafero (12th Century). There is also the Byzantine Monastery of Agiou loanni Prodromou (St. John-the Baptist) with its rare icons (1-nh through the 16th Century), built on a rock overlooking a splendid sire; the Fountain of the Immortals where, according 10 Pafsanias, little Zeus bathed. Steminitsa also boasts a rich, popular art museum. Dimitsana (Km 59). It fascinates the visitor thanks to an exceptional view of the plain of Megalopolis, and its tall stone-built house, giving it an air of grandeur. Kolokotronis kept here the largest gunpowder arsenal in the Peloponnese during the War of Independence. The Byzantine Monastery of Philosophos, built in 963, lies close to the shores of a nearby river, to the west of the town. It housed the famous School of Dimitsana and a "kryfo scholio" (secret school where monks taught Greek children their language during Ottoman Rule). Only part of the building remains standing. Four kilometers away is the Monastery of Panagia Amyalon and its hospice. Not far from Dimitsana is Andent Gontyna, sire ot Asklipios' shrine. Tropaia (97 km). A mountain village with ruins of the Fort of Akova, built by the Franks in the 13th Century. It was die seat of one of the baronian estates of the Principality of the Peloponnese. Nearby, at the village of Vanaina, there are some ruins of the ancient city of Thelpousa. Vyrina (38 km). A true oasis at Mainalos, 1000 meters (3,000 feet) above sea level. It is the birthplace of modern Greek historian Constantine Paparigopoulos. It is an ideal spot for either a summer or a winter vacation. There is the Byzantine Monastery of Kernitsa, founded in 1105. Astros (45 km). It is a historic city which played host to the Second National Assembly of the Hellenes in 1823- The building is classified as a preservable site. Three kilometres is the Monastery Tis Metamorphosis to Sodra Loukous (Transfiguration of the Christ) built on the site of ruins of a 12th-Cennirv ancient temple. Another two kilometres bring the visitor to the beautiful village of Paralio Astrios, with a fort standing on the crest of a hill. Langathia (63 km). Two and three-storey stone building impress the visitor to this home village of many leading fighters of the War of Independence of 1821. Dyrrachio (65 km). There are two old monasteries worth visiting at this beautiful mountain village of Mt. Taygeros: Panagia tis Rekitsas and Agios Georgios. Leonidio (93 km). It lies not far from the sea, at the centre of Tsakonia, where the Tsakonian dialect was spoken in older times. It is a variation of the ancient Dorian dialect. Leonidion is one of the oldest maritime cities of Greece. Its large, beautiful houses are very picturesque. Kosmas (116 km). Built on the top of Parnonas, it is one of the most beautiful villages in the Peloponnese (alt. 1150m.) There is a local library, art gallery and a popular art museum. Twelve kilometres away is Panagia tis Fionas (16th Century), a monastery for nuns, in the heart of an impressively beautiful landscape. Sport Windsurfing and other sea sports at Paralio Astros. Tennis courts are available at large, local hotels. Basket and volley-ball at the indoor gymnasium of Tripoli (Tel:2710 -222761). Mountain climbing at Mainalos (1980 m) to the lodge of Ostrakina. (For further information call EOS Tripolis 2710-232243); Parnonas (EOS Sparti 27310-22574); Artemision (1772 m.) from Nestani village. Events Anniversary of liberation from Ottoman Rule on September 23. Tripoli is famous for the traditional manner in which it celebrates Easter, with food, wine and dancing on Platia Areos, the main square. Local "panegyria" (festivals) are held at various Arcadian cities and villages, namely Astros (the three-day Panegyri Tis Analepseos) And ,another , on the Friday following Easter Sunday to make the anniversary of the National Assembly of 1823 . Dimitsana celebrates Agia Kyriaki on July 7. Dyrrachios the Exodus of Papaflessa , while Episkope holds a sevenday panegyric, both in the middle of August. Tropaia and Vyziki hold celebrations of Fort of Akova in August |
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