Magouliana

Just 10 km from Vytina, you can visit the village of Magouliana, the highest-altitude village in Arcadia. The landscape is stunning, as Magouliana is nestled within the lush fir forest of the region. It’s no coincidence that this area was once a summer retreat for the lords of Akova, although tourism today is relatively limited.

The village is built at an altitude of 1,367 meters, on the site of an old fortress once known as Argyrokastro. The ruins of the castle can still be seen on the northeastern side of the village. The only remains are a partially collapsed battlement and a simple castle gate, which seems to blend naturally with the imposing surrounding rocks. The village was renamed Magouliana in 1927 at the request of its residents, although there is no clear explanation regarding the origin of the name. This settlement was most likely founded during the Ottoman period, after the destruction of Argyrokastro.

In the central square of the village, don’t miss the famous plane tree and the statue of Fotakos, a hero of the Greek War of Independence and close associate of Theodoros Kolokotronis. You should also visit the Magouliana School, a building that locals refer to as “Agios Andreas.”