KALAVRITA

Kalavrita, 70km away from the campsite, it is a martyred city whose name means "good waters", from the many springs of the area. It appears historically in 776 bC with the name Kinetha and its first inhabitants were considered to be the ancient Arkadians. The first destruction of Kalavrita was by the Aetolians around 220bC.The second, in1826, by Ibrahim and the third one (the better known) happened on the 13th of December 1943 by the Germans during the II World War, when as an act of retribution all males of the village over the age of 15 were executed. The heroic act of the Austrian guard in charge saved women and children by unlocking the door and letting them free. He was executed for this act. Today it is a beautiful mountainous town with sights worth seeing, like its gorgeous mansions and its supreme monasteries of Mega Spileon (Great Cave) and Agia Lavra (Saint Lavra), which have collected mythical spiritual and artistic treasures. The Mega Spileon is reputed to be the oldest monastery, originating over 16 centuries ago, and was one of the places that never suffered under the Turkish rule. The thousand-year-old monastery of Agia Lavra has been identified with the national liberation and has become a pan-Hellenic national and religious pilgrimage, because that is where Bishop Palaion Patron Germanos declared the Greek revolution, on 21 of March 1821, by raising the famous Sacred Banner.