"Dhimitsana" Prefecture of Arcadia Things to Do Tip by nickandchris

One of the pretty, traditional villages in beautiful inland Arcadia. Not so much off the beaten track as it was, as a fair few coach tours make the journey into the heart of Arcadia, visiting the old villages, in particular, Dhimitsana and Stemnitsa.

Dhimitsana is spectacularly located on top of a hill, with the Lousios gorge way below. Only in the 1960's did Dhimitsana become connected to the electricity supply and up to the 1980's houses were built of stone. The one main street narrows right down (as in most old villages in Greece) and negotiating your way through by car can be a nightmare. Locals park wherever they want, blocking the main route through. Often, they are parked just to have a chat to someone at one of the businesses on the road so are in no hurry to make way for you!! Have a little patience!! You'll get through in the end.

Our reason for visiting this area was mainly to see the Tourist attraction of the Openair Water Museum, situated a few miles west of the village. This is a collection of watermills that underwent many use includings tanning, grain milling, distilling of tsipoura. and in the 1700's making of gunpowder.Today you can walk into the restored buildings and see how things were done, with English explanations and videos.

Unfortunately our visit coincided with a school party so we perhaps didn't get to see a much as we should. The nicest part of it all was the constantly running water, tumbling onto the wheels.

Address: Dhimitsana, Arcadia
Directions: Signposted after Dhimitsana (coming from the east) and no doubt from the western approach from Megalopoli.
Phone: 279 503 1630