Vitina
Located at an altitude of 1,033 meters on Mount Mainalo, in a lush area dominated by pine, fir, and chestnut trees, Vytina is considered one of the most notable mountain resorts in the Peloponnese and Greece in general. According to the 2011 census, it has 652 residents and has been officially designated as a traditional settlement.
The most widely accepted theory regarding the village’s name is that it derives from the Greek word “Vythos” (meaning “depth”), as the village was originally built in a basin between hills. It is believed to have been established after the destruction of the ancient city Methydrion, whose ruins are located about 5 kilometers away. The ancient traveler Pausanias mentioned Methydrion in 174 B.C. as “a city no longer flourishing.” The most likely founding period of Vytina is around 350 A.D., approximately 2–3 km from its current location, in the area known as Damaskinia.
In antiquity, the deities Demeter and Hippios Poseidon were worshiped in this region, and the ruins of Poseidon’s temple can still be seen at the entrance to the nearby village of Magouliana.
During the Greek War of Independence in 1821, Vytina was considered a vakuf (sacred place), enjoying special protection. It became an important supply center and played a key role in the revolution, which led to it being set on fire seven times by Ibrahim Pasha’s forces.
After the liberation and until World War II, Vytina was a major commercial hub in the region with a well-known marketplace. It even had a branch of the Bank of Athens and a Forestry School. Its development was primarily due to the lack of transportation links with neighboring villages. Once road connections were completed, Vytina lost its role as a commercial center.
Today, one of the most important attractions is the nearby Mainalo Ski Center at Ostrakina. Also worth visiting is Argyrokastro (altitude 1,450 m), near Magouliana, built on the edge of a steep 100-meter cliff. This Frankish fortress was constructed in 1205, marking the establishment of the Barony of Akova.
Notable landmarks in Vytina include the Church of Saint Tryphon, dominating the main square and built in 1846 using black marble from the surrounding area, two traditional wood-fired ovens near the square, and the Folklore Museum. One of the town’s most charming features is the tree-lined road that starts near the square and leads to the Tripoli–Vytina national road.
Local products include honey from conifer trees, as well as livestock products such as meat and cheese.
