The excursion intinerary
It is true that something important emerges from a minimal expenditure of time. Consider time equals money therefore expenditure equals profit, fun, relaxation, knowledge, etc. There is a nice historical route in the tracks of “wheelless” ancient road starting from Nafplion and passing through the Kleisoura “Nyfitsa” mountain range. These mountain separate, say, Argolis from Corinthia. The route now is from Nafplio, Prosymna, (Berbati), Limnes, Agionori, Stefani, Klenia, Chiliomodi. Return from Agios Vasilios, Mycenae. It is an ideal local excursion with ANSA RENT A CAR rental car. https://ansa.gr/. We remind here that we have recently visited Nafplio with a stay at the wonderful hotel ILIOTHEA. https://www.iliothea.gr/. Imagine that this road is part of the shortest ancient road from the Isthmus to Argos. We crossed it in oposite.
Local guide Kanelos
We saw and heard a lot from locals who were kind enough to tell us stories from the history of the area. It was Mr. Kostas Kanelos (why not a tour guide) at the foot of the hill of the castle of Agionori who told us about the historical castle. Specially about the fight that the Greeks led by chieftains like Nikitas Stamatelopoulos against the Turks (Othomans). Specifically, on the western side of the castle, they decimated the army of Dramalis who was heading for a second attempt to escape to Corinth after his first defeat at Dervenakia.
The castle
The castle has been renovated in many parts. Today presents a handsome monument with its two towers gazing at the Acrocorinth and the Argolic gulf at the same time. The special smoke flares possessed by the warriors were the radios or telephones of the time for communication between the outposts of the fighters. Mr. Costas Canelos gave us the 2023 CALENDAR of the local CULTURAL ASSOCIATION “Nikitaras”. Touching photos you will see below. An impressive element of the area is the number of ruins of little churches (chapelles) around the castle where they say there were 14 small churches. Today, after restoration, the small church of Agia Varvara is preserved. The rest are in ruins or only stone shadows of them. Their main characteristic is their narrow entrance and the many stairs for their interior. This was done to prevent the Turks from turning them into stables.
Amazing landscape and eat
The area has ideal paths for hiking. Although excursionists by car are not in need of them because there are plenty of options on dirt or non-dirt roads. The visitors of Agionori have the opportunity to enjoy the view, the nature and the monument. Also to taste the excellent “fat” (*) of Vasila taverna of the area. And if they are lucky, they will also be amused by the jokes of Katsiboulas(**) Christos. The route to the village of Stefani (old Kefalochori) offers the statue of Nikitas Stamatelopoulos in a beautifully landscaped area outside the village. The culmination of the route is the scenery at the exit from Kleisoura to Klenia and finally coffee in Chiliomodi, rich in cereal, vines and olives.
Have a good trip with fun and food and see you again soon.
(*) meet of ewe
(**) Familiar customer of the tavern from Chiliomodi.
They participated:
Mimi Tampasi
Vangelis Briolas
Gianna Christou (Briola)
Christos Roumeliotis (writer of this post)
