 Kastri
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Kastrí is a mountainous village in Parnonas, built at an altitude of 950 meters. It is set in a stunning location, surrounded by forests and abundant water, hidden among plane trees, chestnuts, and cherry trees. The village is 25 km from Tripoli and belongs to the municipality of North Kynouria.
Historically, Kastrí was known as Agios Nikolaos. It is the largest village in a cluster of seven villages, which include Mesorachi, Nea Chora, Oria, Elatos, Karatoulas, and Perdikovrisi. Together, these villages were formerly referred to as Kastrí or Kastritochoria.
The journey to the village, whether via Tripoli or Astros, is breathtaking. The main activities of the locals are agriculture and livestock farming, with chestnut production being particularly significant. The heart of the village beats in its central square, surrounded by most of the shops, cafes, and tavernas. From here, visitors enjoy spectacular views of Parnonas, attracting both locals and tourists alike.
Northeast of Kastrí begins the impressive gorge of the Tanos River, where the Monastery of Timios Prodromos is located. Built on a steep rock in the 12th century, it is considered one of the oldest monasteries in the Peloponnese. Its history is rich and turbulent. Due to its inaccessible location, it served as a base during the 1821 Revolution against Ibrahim and as a refuge during his raids. Its watermill even ground gunpowder for the revolutionary forces. Remarkably, it withstood two sieges by Ibrahim¢s troops without being captured. The monastery later contributed much of its property to rebuild many of Arcadia¢s damaged monasteries.
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