"Heartland of the Peloponnese" Prefecture of Arcadia by angiebabe

Prefecture of Arcadia Travel Guide: 119 reviews and 359 photos

Byzantine bridge and chapel below Karitena

Some of the most beautiful landscapes in Greece

The best area of all is regarded as being around Andhritsena, Stemnitsa and Karitena - North of Megalopolis minor roads that wind through lush valleys and exquisite hilltop towns - and walkers can enjoy the Lousios gorge.

dramatic hills crowned with medieval towns

village between Karitena and Stemnitsa

The first stop is the hilIltop town of Karitena and then taking the northwest route option around the edge of the Menalo mountains to the lovely towns of Stemnitsa and Dhimitsana. From here you can visit - which I in hindsight very regretfully didnt take the opportunity to do, thinking I just didnt have the time - which I didnt really! - the dramatic and remote site of ancient Gortys and explore the Louisos gorge

the occasional Classical antiquity

Ancient theatre of Megalopolis

Approaching from the direction of Tripoli - and Mystras where I was heading from - is ancient Megalopolis - signposted as the Ancient Theatre.

One of the most ambitious building projects of the Classical age, this was a city intended by the Theban leader Epaminondas, who oversaw construction from 371-368 BC, to be the finest of a chain of Arcadian settlements designed to hold back the Spartans.

Though no expense had been spared - 9 kms of walls were built for a start - the city never took root - suffered from sporadic Spartan attacks - and the citizens moved back to their 40 or so local villages - and within 2 centuries the city had been broken up, abandoned and ruined.

I arrived just on nightfall - but managed to see the theatre through the wire fence - it is actually the largest theatre built in Ancient Greece! and could seat 20,000. Only the first few rows are excavated but the mounds and ridges of the rest are clearly visible as tiers from the ground to the summit where large trees grow from the back rows!

Last visit to Prefecture of Arcadia: May 2008
Intro Updated Jan 6, 2009
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Reviews (5)

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Drive to see the lovely landscape - Prefecture of Arcadia

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views from Karitena to 2 bridges over riverAlfios - Prefecture of Arcadia

Karitena's byzantine bridge Things to Do (5)

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nearing the top at Karitena - Prefecture of Arcadia

Karitena - medieval hilltop town Things to Do (5)

Medieval hilltop town - with a castle on top - when I read that I couldnt help but go see it! Couldnt get any response... more travel advice

Comments (5)

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balhannah Oct 2, 2009 at 3:33 AM

Love your opening photo of the old bridge, and the scenery around this area is stunning! Another must see in Greece.
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Mikebb Jan 19, 2009 at 10:44 PM

Hi Angie, We only saw Athens 7 2 islands. Looks like we should return to the Greece you have on your pages.
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Kuznetsov_Sergey Jan 17, 2009 at 10:14 AM

Thank you Angela for showing us the lovely landscapes in Arcadia!
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MikeBird Jan 11, 2009 at 2:06 AM

These places sound just our sort of thing. Thanks for the tip. Am looking forward to our own Cretan holiday later in the year. Thanks, Mike
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nickandchris Dec 31, 2008 at 7:09 AM

We, too, wuld love to retun to this area and explore all that it has to offer.