Explore Magouliana

For the beauty of the amphitheatric position at the crest of valley Kamari and the security provided by the Argyrokasto medieval fortress, Magouliana climbed taller than any other village in the Peloponnese at 1240 meters.

The village occupies the entire basin, facing south and exposed to the sun all day long, thus softening the effects altitude might otherwise have. The villagers were mainly employed in farming, making use the vast rangeland of the surrounding peaks. During winter the conditions were very difficult in the zone over 1000 masl and many flocks and shepperd's descended to the lowlands of Achaia and Ilia, where many gradually settled, founding offspring settlements, the Magoulianitika.

The imposingness of the three big churches of the Virgin (1840), Agios Demetrios and Agios Ioannis (18th c.) and the simple lines of the terrain, on which the stone houses seem to roll down, give a picture of consistency and tranquility in the village. On the small plateau of the peak Castle, which protects the the village from the northern winds, the remains of the medieval castle Argirokastro can be found, around the church of Ag. Georgios, which has been erected later.

A large plane tree dominates the village square. The tree has a height of 20 m and a trunk circumference of 6.4 m, while the projection of its crown on the ground covers an area of 450 square meters. The tree's root system extends into and is fed by the underlying Kolopanas fountain. This historical plane tree is protected as a Preserved Natural Monument.

In the area Korfoxylia, west of the village, is the old Sanatorium of Manna. Constructed on funds collected by the volunteer Anna Papadopoulou and built by craftsmen of Lagadia with local stones, it was established in 1928. It quickly became a regular hospital and for years it was an important social and economic node in the region.

Today, Magouliana lives a bit too quietly in the small gap left by the modern rhythm between the prosperous Vytina and the mighty Valtesiniko. Still, the village manages to maintain 2 taverns and a cafe. In the summer, the coolness and tranquility of the place calls back many of the natives and a few "sophisticated" tourists.

Hiking around Magouliana

Mt Menalon topoguide includes all the trails around Magouliana, as well as the hiking and mountaineering routes in the wider area, from Vytina and Valtesiniko to Karkalou and Radou.

Text and photos by T. Adamakopoulos