Built at an altitude of 1.365 meters, on a beautiful hillside that offers wonderful views of the Mainalo mountain range, Magouliana is one of the lesser known villages of Arcadia worth discovering.
Rich with images of magical nature, history and tradition, Mountainous Arcadia is one of the most beloved winter (and not only) destinations. Its villages, true museums of traditional architecture, captivate even the most demanding visitor. One thing is certain: once is not enough. You will want to keep returning to the slopes of the fir-clad Mainalo to discover yet another hidden treasure.
Vytina, Dimitsana and Stemnitsa are the best-known destinations of Mountainous Arcadia, but there are other beautiful villages worth discovering. One of them is Magouliana, west of Vytina, 58 km from Tripoli. Although little known, it is the highest village in the Peloponnese.
Magouliana: The highest inhabited settlement in the Peloponnese
A short distance from Vytina, within a dense fir forest, you will see a settlement high on the crest of a great horseshoe, spreading amphitheatrically across a steep mountainside. Magouliana is a picturesque village with deep roots that go back more than five centuries. The village is builtat an elevation of 1,365 m. and holds first place in the entire Peloponnese as its highest inhabited village. Clinging amphitheatrically to the slope, it offers a wonderful panoramic view of the Mainalo range.
Its stone-built houses, many of which are well preserved, are the work of the renowned Lagkadia stone masons. The village has lovely churches, two old stone-built bridges, a beautiful square with its plane tree, picturesque cafés and tavernas with traditional food.
According to various sources, the village was founded between 1530 and 1600 AD by five settlements, in order to escape the raids of the Lala Turks. The village made a significant contribution to the Revolution of 1821 and was the birthplace of Fotios Chrysanthopoulos (Fotakos), first aide-de-camp to Theodoros Kolokotronis and a writer, as well as many other chieftains.
From Magouliana you can visit the nearby village of Valtessiniko, which lies about 7 km further up, along a lovely route through the fir trees. The routes from Vytina to Magouliana and Valtessiniko are among the most beautiful in Arcadia.
Watch Travel Inspirations video from Magouliana, Arcadia:
