Worth to visit…
Kalavrita Ski Resort
The Ski center is located on the north side of Helmos at the position Xerokambos just 15 km from Kalavryta.
He began operating in 1988 and has played a major growth area. Guests Kalavryta surpass every year 150,000 and most of them are young and all levels of skiers. It is the closest ski resort in Athens and welcomes skiers and snowboarder from all over Greece.
The enchanting landscapes of Helmos and the goddess of the Ionian Sea, in Patras and the Corinthian bay unique.
It has spaces for parking (30,000 m2), first aid station, two chalet rental shop equipment and school learning.
The chalet cafeteria nights there is night skiing converted to bars and beats red.
At 1740 meters cafeteria, restaurant, ski equipment shop and clinic.
there are a total eight (8) lifts and fourteen (14) tracks including all levels of difficulty, 25 km total length. Roads ekchionizontai 24-hour access to it from Kalavryta is always easy and very beautiful, through the fir forest.
Altitude: 1.730m. – 2.340m.
Total Lifts: 8
believers Total: 14
Total length slope: 25 km.
T. 26920 24451, 26920 24452
Ticket Kalavryta
Besides direct the Ski Center, you can get your ticket bythe Annex; vendors of Kalavryta Ski Centre (CH.K.K.) foundincentral square of Kalavryta.
The Holy Monastery of Mega Spilaio
The Holy Monastery of Mega Spilaio is at the 10th kilometer of the road that connects Kalavrita with Pounta, via the national road that connects Patras with Athens.
It is built at an impressive landscape, at the opening of a natural cave.
It was built in 362 by brothers Symeon and Theodore who came from Thessaloniki. They both had a personal vision and felt that they were requested to go to the Prefecture of Achaia and find the holy icon of Virgin Mary which had been made by Luke the Evangelist, out of mastic and wax.
Roamed the area Zachlorous until she met the shepherd Euphrosyne, which led them to the cave was a sacred image.With great reverence by the two monks took the picture out of the cave and cleaned by plants sacred space, and around the temple began to build and small cells.
The monastery of the Great Cave has been a beacon of Orthodoxy and fortress against Turkish invaders.It took a lot of attacks but never conquered. Destroyed by fire four times, the 840, in 1400, the 1640 and 1934, but always the picture of the Virgin Mary remained intact. During the attack by Ibrahim June 1827 is known heroic response of Abbot Damascene: “…. That they may worship is impossible …if you come here to fight us and defeat us, there is great evil, because priests will win, but if it is defeated … shame you … ”
Black in December 1943, the Nazi troops looted the eighth month, burned the monastery and executed 16 people, monks, visitors and sub.Also, 9 executed monks in place Tall Cross.
Despite the disasters, fires and looting, the Monastery of the Great Cave stood still better and grand. Today, rising to eight storeys, continuing the historic spiritual path.
In recent years operated under the guidance of the abbot Hieronymos.
Precious relics
The monastery has a wealth of artifacts, including an excellent position has the image of the Virgin, painted by Luke the Evangelist.It also has a banner with a rare form of three Byzantine emperors, national costumes, a valuable cross in Holy Wood, bone reliquaries of saints and the founders of the monastery Gospels on parchment, etc. It also has a library with more than 3,000 volumes and numerous manuscripts.
INFORMATION:
GRAND MONASTERY CAVE
25001 – KALAVRYTA • TEL :+30 26920 23130, +30 26920 22401
The Holy Monastery of Saint Lavra
The Holy Monastery of Saint Lavra is 5 kilometers away from the city of Kalavrita and on its southwest side.
As legend has it, and according to the available data the history of the Monastery begins during the period of the Empire of Nikephoros Fokas. The Monastery was established by hermit Eugenius, who came from Mount Athos. Its construction started in 961, at the location “Palaiomonastiro” (on the west of the location where the Monastery lies, nowadays). During the years, it acquired a material infrastructure and it was also recruited with monks. Thus, after a period of time, it numbered 960 monks. During the period of the Turkish Occupancy, it was used as a center of National Action.
In 1585 was burnt by the Turks, where it was destroyed. In 1600 begins to be built again. On March 19, 1689 began the construction of new building in Byzantine style, stone, three winged building, agioreitikoy type in simplest form.Since the monastery of Agia Lavra, to 1943, has suffered many fires and looting. On May 14, 1826 Ibrahim ordered the burning of the monastery. In 1828 he resumed the construction of the monastery. On July 24, 1844 the monastery was destroyed by an earthquake. In 1850 he resumed his rebuilt.The church became a basilica with a dome and surrounded several cells.
In 1821 became the center of the national revolution against the Turks with the raising of banners and the inauguration of the fighters from Paleon Patron Germanos.
New persecutions, killings and destruction he saw the monastery from the Nazi troops hard in December 1943. Burned the monastery, plundered warehouses and executed three monks who had left the monastery.The monks had hidden a little further away when they came back the troops, bringing with them the relics and banners that were saved and over again to repair and rebuild.
In 1950, the monastery offers to believers and support from the state rebuilt entirely.In recent years operated under the guidance of the abbot Philaretos Constantakopoulos.
Precious relics
The most valuable treasure in the monastery is located in Banner of the oath of the rebels in 1821 that the first flag of the Greek nation.Furthermore, the epitaph of 1754 embroidered in Izmir, the image of St. George in Istanbul embroidered by Kokona the clock, gospel donated by the Empress of Russia Catherine IIGreat, the gold-embroidered vestments of Paleon Patron Germanos, amulets, wood crosses and holy shrines.
Also notable is the skull of “St. Alexis Man of God”, Patron of the martyred city of Kalavrita memory is celebrated on March 17 and is donated by the Emperor Paleologos Emmanuel 1398. There is also the head of St. Filaretou the Merciful, Saint Panteleimon, Saint Paraskevi, Saint Anargyroi etc.
Apart from the major relics and remains there at the Monastery, a very important treasure is the 3,000 publications in the library. The oldest dates from 1502. The setting of the library contributed significantly Lavriotiko Cyril in 1796 and Kalavritinos teacher monk Gregory Ioannidis 1929.
INFORMATION:
HOLY MONASTERY LAVRA
25001 – KALAVRYTA • TEL : +30 26920 22363 • FAX: +30 26920 22006
Cave of the Lakes
The Cave of the Lakes is not only a superb natural, but also a valuable cultural monument, we need to know from all sides. And since we learn we need to teach our children to listen the secrets of the Earth. So only by this way we can protect the unique nature of the caves. For the youth, knowledge let not stop the imagination and the computer let not abolish the old myth. Let’s keep it with our cultural heritage, and let’s protect the caves. It is our culture and duty.
The Cave of Lakes, formerly called Troupissio, is located at an absolute height of 827 m at a distance of 17 km from Kalavryta and 9 km from Kleitoria.
The first findings that came to light were dated to the Late Neolithic, the Early, Middle and Late Bronze Ages.
The humidity inside the cave is at high levels, while its absolute rate depends both on the external temperature and the internal wind (highest humidity 96.3%, lowest 71.3%).
On the bottom floor of the cave were found fossilized human bones and various animals including hippopotamus!
The man used the cave from the Neolithic Age, throughout the duration of the Early Helladic until the Late Helladic period.
The aim is the integration of archaeological research, not only as an applied science and information carrier but also as a protection of our cultural heritage.
The Monument of Sacrifice
One of the most important monuments of the city , which is also at the same time a Place of Worshipping, is the Monument of Sacrifice, on “Kapi” Hill, which is on the east side of Kalavrita (500 meters away from the center), on the way to the Ski Resort.
Back in the Kapi led men from 14 years and over Germans occupiers on 13 December 1943, where they were executed.
Now his back is a great Kapi Cross reminiscent heinous crime.In columns surrounding the central area the names of the families of the executed. The catacomb is small hanging lamps equal in number to the families of the executed.
Side of the catacomb dominates the stone sculpture of the mother in pain, emblem and symbol of the Municipality of human forbearance, which created the then student of Fine Arts Anna Dye.It also symbolizes women of Kalavrita (Mother, sister, grandmother, daughter) who, with superhuman efforts, the rebuilding of the city completely destroyed.
Every year on December 13 after the memorial service in the cathedral of the city a funeral march to the Place of Sacrifice, where a prayer is said and Memorial Invitational.
The Gorge of Vouraikos River- The Rack Railway
The rack railway that connects Diakopto with Kalavrita and the unique trip that you can make by it, through the gorge of Vouraikos River offer you one of the most beautiful, natural sights in our country. It has been characterized as the most spectacular railway trip that can take place in Balkans.
The landscape in the north of the Peloponnese is characterized by conglomerate slotted wall of parallel valleys, starting from the inner highlands and a few kilometers before reaching the sea level. In this conglomerate wall is carved the canyon Vouraikos.
The name refers to the canyon Vouros important city of antiquity led to the founding of the Achaean League.
The vertical walls of the gorge rescued very interesting and unique species of rare plant communities, typical of rocky habitats of the eastern Mediterranean.Among the species are bell rock Campanula versicolor, the aromatic Teucrium pollium, small fern Ceterach officinarum and the rarest species of local endemic Achillea unbelata ssp monocephala, endemic to the mountains of northern Peloponnese Aurinia moreana and Asperula arcadiensis, endemic species Helmos of Zireia and Giona.
The most memorable part of the gorge is the little train that runs through from end to end. The construction of the funicular railway decided to Trikoupikis years of governance under the ambitious railway project connecting all of Greece.This work was supported by his friend and local politician Trikoupi Asimakis Fotila. The line was built by French company and assisted and Italian craftsmen, who had gained much experience in similar projects in the Alps.The project ended in 1895 and inaugurated the following year with the participation of the then king. The first steam-driven machine was at every stop there were water tower for the replenishment of water.
Diakopto away from Kalavrita 22 km, the journey takes an hour and the speed of the train varies from 30 to 40 km / h in a single line and 6 to 15 in the teeth. The slope of the line does not allow the use of a conventional train forit between the rails a cogs that allow the operation of a mechanism to climb from sea level to the station Kalavrita 750 meters. Is shorter in width lines in Europe (0.75 m).Today the train with two small cars and diesel engine plant in the center starting from the station Diakopto Kalavrita way towards passing the top of the normal track and continues pulling teeth, entering the first narrowing of the gorge and the attitude of the settlement Niamey.The train named Jagged pass through small tunnel where among the small openings have time to distinguish the opposite bank of a large rockshelter with successive cavernous rooms, one of the stalagmites which have formed upright columns that resemble the composition forms lined Judgeiriou (judge, prosecutor and president). The rack picking his teeth in the attitude of Triklion. The route continues in the wild landscapes with waterfalls and reach the closest point on the route called “Doors” and the train goes through a tunnel.Going up the rack pulls out his teeth and reaches the station of the Great Cave which is located in the village of Lower Zachlorous. Continuing now the normal route to Kalavryta a speed pass by the attitude of Kerpini Kalavrita and reaches through the open plains.
Next to the train tracks there is a path formerly used by local residents, today the same track is marked with symbols of the European path E4, which is used by hikers Greek and foreign hikers.The path to the download takes about 6 hours and climbing around 7 to 8 hours.
Every year on the third Sunday in May organized by the Association of Mountaineering and Skiing Kalavrita, Pan Into the participation of hundreds of climbers and hikers.
After a downtime of services due to the gear refurbishments and replacement of the track reopened in June 2004. The receipt of four new machines and modern trains will blow in the coming years.
SCHEDULES Funicular
From Kalavryta to switch:
08:10, 10:30, 13:20 & 15:50
From switch to Kalavrita:
06:55, 9:20, 11:45 & 14:30
Source: http://www.kalavrita.gov.gr/
The Monastery of Saint Nikolaos
Above Vlassia village, a mountain stands out which is planted all over with fir-trees and on the peak of which you will see the Monastery of Agios Nikolaos that was built (as legend has it) during the 7th century A. C., by a monk who came from Mount Athos.
The first monk to sleep even saw the divine vision of the stated position to build the monastery.
Opposite the monastery is called the hills and Charkoskala Angelokastro. Above them were the Byzantine fortifications to guard the monastery from the attackers, who were many because of his wealth.
The monastery was ash three times and three times rebuilt.Last renovation in the church was in 1892.
In the past, has grown to about 100 monks. Over the years gradually changed and is now completely deserted. It is certainly very recently renovated.
The Basilica with its beautiful dome that has dominated the global center of the courtyard, but the most interesting gathering of the very old chapel of the Virgin Birth and the treasury of the monastery, where, among other relics kept the old wooden temple in church.
The view from the plateau of the monastery is unique. Shows the peaks and valley Erymanthoy Selinountas.
INFORMATION:
Holy Monastery of St. Nicholas VLASIAS
25013 – METOXI VLASIAS • TEL : +30 26920 41248
The Monastery of the Assumption of Virgin Mary of Makellaria
On the right bank of River Selinoundas , on the opposite side of village “Lapanagoi”, of the Municipality of Kalavrita and at a distance of 30 kilometers from Kalavrita City, it is the Monastery of Makellaria that stands out and it is devoted to the Assumption of Virgin Mary. It was built by the general of Justinian, Velissarius, in 532 A. C., as it is shown in the sign which is preserved until nowadays, in order to expiate for the slaughter that took place during the widely known “Nika Riots”, in Constantinople. In the middle of the Monastery, the temple which is devoted to Virgin Mary is built, a temple with a byzantine rhythm, cross-squared with a wonderful woodcut icon screen, with the wonder-working icon of Virgin Mary. It is a masterpiece of the byzantine period and it can be admired by everyone, because no matter where the worshipper stands, the eyes of Virgin Mary seem as if they were looking at him.
The monastery was destroyed by the Turks in 1458 and renovated by the monk Neophytos.
The original name of the monastery was Virgin Lithostrotiotisa because it is built on a rock. The name “Makellaria”The monastery was taken from the massacre that took place when they went to conquer the Turks in 1458. After several days of siege failed to seize the monastery and kill the monks and their minions who were there.After destroying the fathers decided to build the monastery in a cave below to be protected from the weather. The people of the workshop which took over the building every morning to find the damaged buildings and tools on the rock which is the current monastery.After discussions and disputes decided to build there was materials and tools. Opening the foundation found an earthen pot with oil, which remains until today, and the image of the Virgin Mary.
In the next attack the Turks, the Turkish tradition, be repelled by the monks and their minions who were there and the abbot of the monastery to make an agreement with General of the Turks, that if you break the lamp to throw a rock, then delivered but if it does not break, will return to fygs not to burn the monastery. So it happened, he threw the abbot of the candle of the Virgin on the rock, two Turkish soldiers came and found hanging from a branch of a tree.Upload it to the general and he in turn respected the agreement he had made to the abbot and left to burn without the monastery. Later he became a more carnage among the Turks because they burned the monastery, since this was the reason why they went there.
The most precious treasure is the miraculous image of Our Lady and the pot full of the miraculous oil. Also cloves, scimitar, Koympoyras chieftains and young men of the famous battle of Kafkarias with which defeated Ibrahim in 1827 and uniforms of the fighters of 1821.
Major treasures of the monastery have been stolen from the robbery that took place in September 1980, which consisted of:
• Immaculate Passions Kition that included a handmade gold wire woven in Russia to build Kition spent 7 years.Byzantine art, which kept the piece in the crown of thorns, a piece of mantle and pieces of precious wood and sponge.
• Gold-plated and gold reliquaries containing relics of 150 saints.
• Holy Gospels gold and silver, 15th and 16th century.
• Portable Images of the 16th and 17th century.
• Uniforms golden handmade in Russia.
It is worth mentioning that a short distance from the monastery, following a little “snaky” path leads the visitor to the small chapel of the Transfiguration. It is made in a small cave a little lower than the present monastery.Throughout the year was extremely flowing from the rock ‘holy water’.
INFORMATION
MONASTERY OF THE ASSUMPTION VIRGIN MAKELLARIAS
25001 – KALAVRYTA • TEL :+30 26920 41247
The Holy Chapel of Virgin Mary Plataniotissa
It is located in the road which connects Kalavrita with Aigio- via Pteri- , at a distance of 30 kilometers from the city of Kalavrita.
In a deep-green landscape, with plenty of flowing cold water, there is the chapel of Virgin Mary Plataniotissa that has been shaped within the hollow of a huge plane-tree, which has been created by three plane-trees that have sprung together, and that during the years they became unified and thus formed this remarkable phenomenon of nature.
This historic plane tree height of 25 meters around the base perimeter of 16 m and the average of 12.65 m and has a capacity of 20 persons. There is a small temple with two pillars that form the doorway.
The image of the Virgin and Child are depicted on the plane tree at a height of 3 meters above the ground inside the pit, according to tradition, the image reflected in the tree during the Iconoclastic period, when monks of the Great Cave to save the image of Virgin Mary and Child of metefApart from place to place and so one evening spent the night in the village Klapatsouna (as it was called then) in a natural hollow of the tree. This morning when I took the picture to continue the way they saw surprised the imprint of the trunk of the tree, the site that had touched.So named Virgin Plataniotissa and the village.
The church celebrates on September 8.
INFORMATION:
Holy Mary Shrine Plataniotissa
Tel: +30 26920 22406
The Municipal Art Gallery of Konstantinos Fassos
The Holy Monastery of Saint Lavra is 5 kilometers away from the city of Kalavrita and on its southwest side.
As legend has it, and according to the available data the history of the Monastery begins during the period of the Empire of Nikephoros Fokas. The Monastery was established by hermit Eugenius, who came from Mount Athos. Its construction started in 961, at the location “Palaiomonastiro” (on the west of the location where the Monastery lies, nowadays). During the years, it acquired a material infrastructure and it was also recruited with monks. Thus, after a period of time, it numbered 960 monks. During the period of the Turkish Occupancy, it was used as a center of National Action.
In 1585 was burnt by the Turks, where it was destroyed. In 1600 begins to be built again. On March 19, 1689 began the construction of new building in Byzantine style, stone, three winged building, agioreitikoy type in simplest form.Since the monastery of Agia Lavra, to 1943, has suffered many fires and looting. On May 14, 1826 Ibrahim ordered the burning of the monastery. In 1828 he resumed the construction of the monastery. On July 24, 1844 the monastery was destroyed by an earthquake. In 1850 he resumed his rebuilt.The church became a basilica with a dome and surrounded several cells.
In 1821 became the center of the national revolution against the Turks with the raising of banners and the inauguration of the fighters from Paleon Patron Germanos.
New persecutions, killings and destruction he saw the monastery from the Nazi troops hard in December 1943. Burned the monastery, plundered warehouses and executed three monks who had left the monastery.The monks had hidden a little further away when they came back the troops, bringing with them the relics and banners that were saved and over again to repair and rebuild.
In 1950, the monastery offers to believers and support from the state rebuilt entirely.In recent years operated under the guidance of the abbot Philaretos Constantakopoulos.
Precious relics
The most valuable treasure in the monastery is located in Banner of the oath of the rebels in 1821 that the first flag of the Greek nation.Furthermore, the epitaph of 1754 embroidered in Izmir, the image of St. George in Istanbul embroidered by Kokona the clock, gospel donated by the Empress of Russia Catherine IIGreat, the gold-embroidered vestments of Paleon Patron Germanos, amulets, wood crosses and holy shrines.
Also notable is the skull of “St. Alexis Man of God”, Patron of the martyred city of Kalavrita memory is celebrated on March 17 and is donated by the Emperor Paleologos Emmanuel 1398. There is also the head of St. Filaretou the Merciful, Saint Panteleimon, Saint Paraskevi, Saint Anargyroi etc.
Apart from the major relics and remains there at the Monastery, a very important treasure is the 3,000 publications in the library. The oldest dates from 1502. The setting of the library contributed significantly Lavriotiko Cyril in 1796 and Kalavritinos teacher monk Gregory Ioannidis 1929.
INFORMATION:
HOLY MONASTERY LAVRA
25001 – KALAVRYTA • TEL : +30 26920 22363 • FAX: +30 26920 22006
The Mansion of Palaiologina
The mansion of Palaiologina is a very important cultural monument of the city of Kalavrita.
Historical references mention that the mansion was probably built by Thomas Palaiologos, when the famous franc fortress of Geoffroy de Tournay was destroyed and in 1440 it was held by his brother, Konstantinos, during the period of which, Kalavrita had become a very important spiritual and cultural center.
At the same time, Constantine Palaeologus probably donated the palace to Princess Catherine Palaiologos, daughter of noble Halandritsa and relatives of the imperial family.
It is strange that despite \ ‘all subsequent dramatic adventures of the nation’s impressive how the palacehas survived all the disasters of the city, only the ravages of time and some change from the Turks to have influence. The last owner, Mr. Basil Tsaparas, donated the building in the municipality Kalavrita to survive and to build a cultural center.
The building comprises three floors with a total net area of 530 sq.m. The study was undertaken by the Laboratory of Architecture and Design of Civil Engineering, University of Patras coordinator Prof. Dionysios Verra.Provided the structural and aesthetic restoration and adaptation of a cultural center of the City camp.
The project was completed under the supervision of the Department of Restoration of Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Monuments of the Ministry of Culture and sponsored by the ROPWestern Greece with the amount of GRD 337,000,000, with the participation of the European Union.
The Municipal Culture Company has proposed to the City Council Kalavrita assume the operation of the Palace of Paleologina, creating a “multi”activities for conferences, meetings, lectures, screenings and hosting permanent and temporary exhibitions of historic and folkloric character.
In the summer of 2003 opened for the first time since reconstruction to host Photo Exhibition of the famous Greek photographer-explorer Spyros Meletzis on “Greece, the Greeks and Resistance.” Since then it has hosted occasional exhibitions, conferences, workshops, etc.
“Aristarchos“ Telescope
DETAILS OF THE PROJECT:
Project: “ARISTARCHOS”, the new telescope of the National Observatory of Athens
Manufacturer: Carl Zeiss Jena GmbH, Germany
Budget: 1.745.000.000 drachmas
Funding: Operational Programs for Research and Technology II, General Secretariat for Research and Technology, Ministry of Development
TECHNICAL FEATURES:
Diameter: 2.3 meters
Mount: Altazimuth Mount
Field of view: 1.04 °
Operation: From distance, through network
Function: Automatic and pre-scheduled
The telescope of the National Observatory of Athens which is called “Aristarchos” is the largest telescope in Balkans and the second largest telescope in Continental Europe and it is located in “Neraidorachi”, which is one of the peaks of Chelmos Mountain, at an altitude of 2.340 meters.
Some characteristics of the telescope is the large field that is ideal for participation in international programs, a very good quality optics that have sharp images, controllable and programmable via the network from its headquarters in Athens Observatory or from otherAssociate Observatories in Greece or abroad, equipment with modern astronomical instruments, such as CCD cameras and spectrographs of high and intermediate resolution.
The reasons for preferring the top of Helmos for such a modern and important project of the National Observatory of Athens is that it is providing the operational infrastructure of the establishment of the ski resort where it is easy road access, power and telephone, are suffering from fotorrypanimportance of cities as the big cities behind the mountains. It is also one of the darkest parts of Europe, the telescope is above the clouds in a large percentage each year and can be observed that images are of excellent quality. Furthermore, the altitude (2340 m) Which is mounted the telescope is likely to be observed in the infrared light and searched for the existence of planets in our galaxy, stellar explosions, chemical composition, structure and dynamics of galaxies, and galaxy clusters.
The operation of the telescope is optoilektromichaniki, friendly to the environment. The installation device of background levels of air pollutants and greenhouse gases, very important for protecting the environment. It also provides meteorological data to the ski resort.
The installation of the telescope by the name of Aristarchus is educational or training students on site and through a network, or training together, such as schools, universities, cultural institutions, etc.Either for scientific and technological services of high quality educational and social organizations.
The telescope has joined the European Program “OPTICON”involving the largest and most advanced telescopes in Europe and interesting use of a telescopic lens from research institutions for scientific cooperation and research.
So far have expressed interest in scientific cooperation and support:
– University of Sheffield, UK
– University of Southampton, UK
– University of Manchester, UK
– University of Patras, Greece
– Isaak Newton Group, La Palma
– Special Astrophysical Observatory, Russia
– University of Odessa, Ukrania
– University of Sofia, Bulgaria
– Astronomical Observatory of Jugoslavia
INFORMATION
National Observatory of Athens
Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics
www.astro.noa.gr
Nymphs Hill, Thissio, PO Box 20048
11810 Athens, Greece
Tel & Fax: +30 210 3490106 • FAX (NCA): +30 210 3490140
Metaxa and Vas.Paflou, Old Penteli
15236 Athens, Greece
Tel: +30 210 8109172 • FAX: +30 210 8040453