Explore Dimitsana

Dimitsana is built on a spacious shoulder, the unique smooth passage of the upper valley of river Lousios, at an altitude of 1000m. The location is ideal and is inhabited since ancient times: in the "Platsa", the outer part of the natural shoulder, sections of isodomic ancient wall are visible between the walls of newer houses, which belonged to the acropolis of ancient Tefthis, the town itself possibly located in the smoother slopes below Dimitsana, towards Palaiochori.

Dimitsana was from the 18th century an important regional commercial center and had, for a period of two centuries, great economic prosperity thanks to the water-powered craft (flour mills, fulling, tanning and gunpowder), pulled by the abundant waters of the valley. Part of watermills and gunpowder mills have been restored in the excellent Open Air Water Power Museum of Dimitsana, located after the exit to the large headspring of Ai-Giorgis, just outside the city. From the late 19th century, the development of industrial methods, the water-powered craft declined and Dimitsana lost its boost, but it remained an important transportation and administrative hub.

The town itself, protected as a traditional settlement, has many historically or architecturally important buildings and monuments such as: the house of Gregorios the 5th (which has been renovated and now houses the Ecclesiastical Museum), the building of the seminary of Dimitsana (that today houses the Library with over 15,000 volumes, among them rare editions, codes and a vast historical file, plus a folklore collection), the house of Paleon Patron Germanos, the five-storey tower Xeniou (built in 1850 by the raisin trader Constantine Koukouzas) and many more.

Among the seven churches dating to the 17th, 18th and 19th century, the ones presenting particular interest are Agia Kyriaki (the cathedral), St. Efthymios, St. Georgios, St. John and the church of the Archangels. The old and new Philosophou monasteries, Panagia Aemyalon monastery, and Timiou Prodromou monastery all flourished at the same time as Dimitsana due to their safe location on the axis of the ravine of river Lousios and their close dependence with the town. The archaeological site of ancient Gortys is located at the exit of the gorge of river Loussios, a bit outside the town limits. Excavations have revealed a large part of the citadel, an important sunctuary of Asklepios and a large installation of baths.

The town is today the administrative and economic center of the region and seat of the municipality of Gortynia. It offers an important catering and accommodation infrastructure and many shops.

Hiking around Dimitsana

The guide Mt Menalon topoguide includes several hiking routes that start, converge or pass through Dimitsana.

Text and photos by T. Adamakopoulos