From our Municipality A picturesque village built on the southeast side of Parnonas at an altitude of 450 meters, is 180 kilometers from Athens. The settlement has been characterized as a preserved traditional and the visitor is enchanted at first sight by the rich vegetation and the many waters that he faces when he reaches the village.
The village is known for its microclimate and its water. “Like Platanos, you will not find water anywhere else. With one sip you do not want a doctor, with two you find a match “. The old watermill, the stone fountain, the imposing church, the alleys, the Fire of Fate that meets whoever arrives in the village offer images that relax and calm the mind and soul. Those looking for adventure and direct contact with nature can find it by exploring the Cave Canyon.
In the area there is the Cave of Sotiros or Sosimos, you can also go hiking in the gorge of Lepida. The fauna of the area is also rich, while the feasts of love, water and moons in August with the filling of the Moon and the feasts of cherries in May are special and well-known. Nearby the villages of Haradros and Sitaina with rich vegetation and incomparable natural beauty.
From the “Mount Parnon and Moustos Wetland Management Agency, 2015. Guide for the protected area of Mount Parnon and Moustos Wetland. Nature, Culture, Ecotourism. Astros of Arcadia “.
Platanos is known for its climate and its water. The marble inscription on the fountain in the central square “warns”: Like Platanos you will not find water in other places with one sip you do not want a doctor with two you find a match. Platanos is 20 km from Astros and is built amphitheatrically, at an altitude of 450 m. On the northeast side of Mount Parnon, at the base of a green ravine. It is surrounded by beautiful and unspoiled natural environment full of chestnuts, pines, plane trees and firs. Platanos is a picturesque village full of narrow cobbled streets, stone houses, plenty of water, but also many fruit trees, such as cherries, pears, walnuts. His houses retain the main elements of the local architecture, which is combined with island elements.
At the entrance of the village is the central cobbled square with the first waterfall of the village “Chares” and impressive rich vegetation. The central church of the village is Agia Anna, while there are two more post-Byzantine churches, Agios Georgios and Agios Theodoros with elaborate hagiographies. Also of interest is the Tower of Squadron with a defensive corner construction (18th century), which is a typical tower house. Opposite the village, an emblematic rock with the name “Kalogeros”, due to its shape, provides a wonderful view to the village, but also to Parnonas.
Southeast of the village, near the bridge begins the idyllic gorge of Spilakia (See p. 121) with dense vegetation and abundant water that ends in the river Vrasiatis. Another path, shortly after the bridge, leads to the chapel of Agiorgis. In the area of the gorge there is the Cave of the Savior or Sosimos, which during the years of the Revolution became a refuge for the inhabitants of the village due to the rage of Ibrahim’s soldiers. The visitor can also enjoy the nature of the area by hiking in the gorge of Lepida (See p. 119). Another path, between the terraces where the Platanites cultivate their orchards, leads to the Monastery of the Assumption of the Virgin or Sela, as it is known, in an area of exceptional beauty. The ornate frescoes of the Monastery represent martyrdoms, with direct references to the period of Ottoman rule.
The permanent residents of Platanos are few, but in summer the village comes to life. Rich cultural events are organized throughout the year, such as the famous “Feast of Cherries, Waters and Love” (See p. 282), the “Feast of Chestnuts and Figs”, the original “Backgammon Meeting” tournament, the “Full Moons” And many others.
Watermills and Water Mill :.
In the central square of Platanos is the Barkaikos watermill and next to it the two-story traditional stone fountain. It is the only mill of the four that the village used to have, with an internal mechanism that still works by grinding wheat and corn serving local needs, while at the same time it is a museum space for the visitors of the village. Next to and just below the Barakaikos watermill is the Perraean water mill or dristella (See p. 219). Before the ravine there is the Latsaikos watermill which is covered by large centuries-old plane trees.
Nymphs Waterfall & single-arched bridge: Descending to the ravine, the well-maintained path leads to the Nymphs Waterfall. The waterfall is about 10 m high and is surrounded by lush vegetation and imposing plane trees. The spot is especially popular with nature lovers especially in summer. Crossing on the path, parallel to the river, we meet the old single-arched bridge (See p. 354)
The stone bridge of Platanos:
The single-arched stone bridge of Platanos is a part of the history and tradition of the village. Nowadays its usability has been limited, however its beauty abounds. Built at the beginning of the 19th century, it served the daily needs of the inhabitants, as it connected Platanos with the coastal Kynouria. The conductors and shepherds of Platanos transported their wares and herds using this bridge, especially in winter, as the only passage to Eastern Kynouria and Argolida. In addition, residents of neighboring villages (Agios Ioannis, Orini Meligous, Haradros, etc.) easily transported their cereals to the watermills of Platanos located near the bridge. Today, the need to maintain and enhance the stone bridge – which is an integral part of Platanos’s physiognomy and is of particular cultural interest – is imperative, as the rapid water volumes collected by Lepida (Lepida waterfall) and the surrounding torrents, which in They end up in the river Vrasiatis, they may possibly threaten this beautiful monument of the village in the future.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Platanos is a village, which is located amphitheatrically built on the slopes of Mount Parnonas. Administratively it belongs to the Municipality of North Kynouria in the Prefecture of Arcadia. It has a distance of 180 km from Athens and 22 km from Paralio Astros. It is surrounded by many plane trees of hundreds of years, hence the name of the village. It has the form of an island with alleys where no cars can enter. The inhabitants claim that their origin is from an island, probably Aegina. It has been declared a traditional settlement. Next to the village flows the river Vrasiatis. Due to the river, many public fountains and ditches in the alleys have been created in the village. It borders the village of Haradros, Agios Ioannis and the Tsakonian village of Sitaina. At a distance of 2 km from the village is the gorge of Lepida
History
Platanos is mentioned for the first time in the Chronicle of the Fall of Georgios Sfrantzis in 1435, with the name Platamonas. In the following years, he refers to several documents during the Venetian period. Before and during the Second Ottoman Empire (18th and 19th century) the village flourished, along with other neighboring villages. At the same time, several mansions and tower houses were built. The contribution of the village was important during the Revolution of 1821. In 1826, Ibrahim passed through the village but the inhabitants were saved because they hid in a cave on the opposite hill which the inhabitants still call “troupa”. There is an oven and a cistern inside.
After the liberation, it became the seat of the municipality of Platanountos, while in the following years, after its merger with the Municipality of Thyreas, it became the seat of the homonymous community.
The village
In Platanos, due to its abundant waters, watermills, water saws and water mills used to operate. The inhabitants are mainly engaged in the cultivation of agricultural products, such as cherries, chestnuts, figs, but also tomatoes and various squash. The ancients remember the fields full of lanterns at night where the inhabitants went and watered them. Also, half of the population of the village was once engaged in animal husbandry. Now there are 3-4 families. The traditional musical instruments of the village are the lute and the violin. The organ players were invited to festivals and weddings in the neighboring villages.
In the village there are 5 churches: Agios Georgios, which is located on the opposite hill and is considered the first church of the village. According to tradition, the first settlement was located there, Agioi Theodoroi, located at the top of the village. Beyond Panagia, located on the second hill to the right of the village, surrounded by water and terraces of residents plowing. The area there is called Sela and used to be a monastery which was built at the end of the 15th century. and was hagiographed by Georgios Koulidas. According to tradition, the church took its name from a Turkish aga, who placed a golden saddle in order to save his child from an illness, which was eventually saved. In the church lived monks who were hanged by the Turks. A fountain and concrete benches have been created in the area of the chapel. There, on Easter Tuesday, there was a celebration with organ players.
The church of the Transfiguration of the Savior is located at the top of the village and is open every year on August 6. And this church was formerly a monastery (18th century) where monks had cells. Finally, the church of Agios Petros, located next to the community office of the President of the village. The central church of the village is Agia Anna, whose sleep is celebrated on July 25, with an image procession in the alleys of the village. The church has a half-burned icon from the raid of Ibrahim. In the old days, in the neighborhood
The market of the village called Karakala was concentrated, with a barber shop, a grocery store and two wine shops.
The hostel has been operating in the village since 2010 with coffee and food. There are 2 more cafes. The visitors are mainly climbers and nature lovers, who hike in the gorge of Lepida, on the bridge that leads to the old road to Astros called Skala and served the people before the road network. They are still hiking on the old Platanos-Sitaina path.
See the links below, for texts and photos <our sources>
From ypaithros.gr
https://www.ypaithros.gr/platanos-kynourias-opou-akous-polla-kerasia/embed/#?secret=hYI1QArmJz
From BESDES.GR
“Climbed to the closing of a small green ravine of Parnonas. Platanos Kynourias is exactly what you are looking for for an excursion out of the ordinary“
astrosgr.com 