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Lagkadia village with its large stone church and red-tiled roofs, Arcadia

Lagkadia, Dimitsana and Stemnitsa: Mountain Villages of Arcadia

High in the mountains of Gortynia, in the heart of Arcadia, three stone villages sit only a short drive apart: Lagkadia, Dimitsana and Stemnitsa. Together they tell the story of the Peloponnese – master builders, gunpowder mills, goldsmiths and the first days of the Greek Revolution of 1821 – surrounded by fir forests and the green Lousios Gorge. Our office is in Lagkadia, so here is our local guide to all three.

Lagkadia – the village of master builders

Lagkadia is built on a steep mountainside, with its stone houses and churches stacked one above the other, which is why it is often called the “hanging village” of Arcadia. The steep ground taught its people to build: the craftsmen of Lagkadia became known as some of the best builders of the Peloponnese and built houses, churches, bridges and bell towers all over Greece.

The village was also home to the Deligiannis family, who played a leading role in the War of Independence of 1821. Walk up through the narrow lanes to see the church of the Taxiarches (1805), the church of Timios Prodromos (1808), the church of Agioi Apostoloi (1854) and the old high school (1868), with views over the valley at every turn.

Lagkadia is also the last village of the Menalon Trail – our Valtesiniko – Lagkadia day hike ends here.

Dimitsana – the “powder keg” of the nation

Dimitsana stands at about 950 m on a ridge above the Lousios Gorge. In the 18th century it built water-powered gunpowder mills, and during the War of Independence 14 mills worked day and night to supply the fighters – which earned Dimitsana the name “the powder keg of the nation”.

The village is also a place of learning. Its historic library holds about 35,000 books, manuscripts and documents, and Dimitsana was the birthplace of Patriarch Gregory V and of Germanos, Metropolitan of Old Patras, two key figures of 1821.

Just below the village, the Open-Air Water Power Museum shows how the river once drove a flour mill, a traditional cauldron, a tannery and a gunpowder mill.

Aerial view of red-roofed stone houses and bell tower of Dimitsana

Hike from Dimitsana: Dimitsana – Zygovisti (day trip from Athens) or 2 days Stemnitsa – Dimitsana – Zygovisti with an overnight stay in Dimitsana.

Stemnitsa – goldsmiths and the first government of 1821

Stemnitsa lies at around 1,050 m on the western edge of Mount Menalon, above the left bank of the Lousios. For centuries it was famous for its gold- and silversmiths, and the tradition lives on: since the 1970s the village has had a public school of gold- and silversmithing.

In the summer of 1821, shortly after the start of the Revolution, Stemnitsa was the first seat of the Peloponnesian Senate, the temporary government of the liberated Peloponnese. Today you can visit the folklore museum, with Byzantine icons, old costumes, copperware and jewellery, and old churches such as Zoodochos Pigi (1433).

Traditional stone houses of Stemnitsa village, Arcadia

Stemnitsa is the start of the Menalon Trail: walk the famous Stemnitsa – Dimitsana section through the Lousios Gorge, past the Prodromou and Philosophou monasteries, or spend more time in the village with An Authentic Experience around Stemnitsa.

Between the villages: the Lousios Gorge

Dimitsana and Stemnitsa are linked by the Lousios Gorge, one of the most beautiful places in Arcadia. Monasteries cling to its cliffs – Prodromou, built into the rock, and the Old and New Philosophou monasteries – and the river runs green below. The best way to see it is on foot, on Section 1 of the Menalon Trail.

When to visit

The villages are lovely all year. Spring and autumn are ideal for walking, summer is cooler than the coast, and in winter the stone houses with their fireplaces make a cosy escape from the city.

Where to stay

See all our partner hotels – we are happy to book them for you.

How to get there

The three villages are about 3 hours by car from Athens, via Corinth and Tripoli. Public transport is limited, so a private transfer is the easiest way:

Plan your trip with a local team

Tell us your dates and what you would like to do – hiking, culture, food or simply relaxing in a stone guesthouse – and our team in Lagkadia will suggest a plan. Contact us – we reply within 24 hours.