Vytina is a mountain village in the Peloponnese, in the Prefecture of Arcadia. It is located at an altitude of 1,033 meters, on Mount Mainalo, in a verdant area dominated by pines, firs and chestnuts. It is one of the most valuable mountain resorts of the Peloponnese and more broadly of Greece. According to the 2011 census it has 652 permanent residents. It has been characterized as a traditional settlement.
Its name, according to the prevailing opinion, comes from the word “Vythos=Bottom” because it was originally built in a basin between hills. It is said to have been built after the dissolution of the ancient city “Methydrio” the ruins of which are located at a distance of 5 kilometers. Pausanias mentions about the city of Methydrio in 174 BC: “Methydrion no longer a thriving city..“. The most probable time of the foundation of Vytina is around 350 AD, at a distance of 2-3 km from the current location, in the area of Damaskinia.
The most important attractions in Vytina are Sacred Church of Agios Tryphon dominating the town square, built in 1846 with the main material black marble from the surrounding area, the two traditional wood ovens located near the main square as well as the Folklore Museum while it is also worth a visit to the remarkable library with documents and books by 17th century. Also worth seeing Vytina’s Primary School, which is a benefit of Andreas Syngrou. What gives the city its special beauty is the canopy of trees “path of love» which starts almost from the square and ends at the national road of Tripolios Vytinas. The street has been named so since long ago, when it was a place for walking and meeting young people of the time. Main products are honey from coniferous trees and livestock, meat, cheese, etc.
Based on Vytina and at a relatively close distance, one can visit Dimitsana, the gorge of Lousios, Stemnitsa and Lagadia, while climbing the slopes of Mainalo with a good asphalt road, one reaches the plateau of Ostrakinas at an altitude of 1600 m. where a small ski resort operates.
Source: wikipedia.org
