Kastanitsa is the first village of Tsakonia and one of the oldest villages of Parnon. We had no problem finding sources for our post, the problem was that we found many good sources. I’m sure there are other better ones than the ones we have below.
We all say our village is the best and the second village is Kastanitsa, the conclusion is easy ….. Someday we all have to visit Kastanitsa and on the chestnut festival even better ..
From our Municipality
The oldest Tsakonochori with the Tsakoniki dialect is still spoken by its inhabitants. The first written appearance of the village takes place in Chrysovoulos of Andronikos in 1293m. X. At an altitude of 840 meters and 152 kilometers from Athens and 72 from Tripoli, it is a historic preserved settlement with special architecture and white houses made of slate slabs from Malevo. The colored windows in houses, many of which are tower houses of more than 300 years and the flowers in gardens and courtyards, give an island color to the village that has been built between two green streams. Its inhabitants fought the Turkish conqueror in 1896 from the Castle of the village, from which the view is excellent. The chestnut forest of the area is of special beauty and recognized as a natural monument. In fact, the chestnut festival attracts many people, while the visitor can walk on beautiful natural routes, enjoy the unique landscape of Parnon and relax from the hustle and bustle of the city. The village has a guest house, small accommodation and a beautiful square with excellent views. While just outside the village is the church of Ag. Nikolaou and Panteleimonos Kontolinas. The church has been saved from the homonymous monastery of the 17th century. destroyed by Ibrahim’s army. Traces of fire can still be seen today, mainly in the dome. From this point begins the impressive gorge of Mazia, one of the many gorges of Parnon.
From the Ethnos
“Kour made the country of Namos” that is “Welcome to our village” “And for history, for the Tsakonians, he first speaks in the 9th century AD. the emperor of Byzantium Constantine the Purple-Born. Around 1000 AD. the Tsakonians left over from the great Slavic invasions began their peaceful work, necessary for their survival. A few years later – in 1293 AD – the first Tsakonochori, Kastanitsa, made its official written appearance. “
Kastanitsa, perched on the slopes of Mount Parnon, at 840 m., Is the oldest Tsakonochori, with a history of more than seven centuries and one of the oldest mountain villages of Kynouria (s.s. belongs to the municipality of North Kynouria). Characterized since 1967 by the Ministry of Culture by Presidential Decree, a traditional – preserved settlement with special natural and architectural beauty, built on a narrow hill, stands out with its tower houses, painted white, with roofs of local slate Malevos and wood with bright colors on the doors and windows and flowered courtyards.
And why whites, in a mountainous settlement, in the heart of Parnona Because, once upon a time, Kastanitsa was famous for its production of lime, from where it got its color, and in which there were more than 30 traditional lime kilns for roasting lime.
The village retains unchanged elements of the Tsakonian tradition, while some elderly people from 30 – 40 permanent residents speak the Tsakonian dialect.
• How to get there: From Athens follow the route to Corinth, Tripoli, exit to Nafplio, Argos, Astros and from there either from Agios Andreas or from the villages of Platanos and Sitaina. You will travel 205 km. From Astros, Kastanitsa is 31 km, from Tripoli 71 km and from Sparta 65 km. From Thessaloniki calculate the 500 km to Athens and then the 205 km to your final destination.
• Accommodation / Food: In Kastanitsa operates the traditional guesthouse “Antoniou” which has 5 rooms. The tavern “To Stolidi” also operates in the hostel (tel. 27550 52255). For food, there are two other taverns, “O Parnon” in the square, “O Liakouris”, and a cafe. Other accommodation options are in Platanos (20 km), Polydroso in Laconia (11 km), Agios Petros (11.5 km), Astros (31 km), Parnonas shelter above the village of Vamvakou ( EOS Sparta) etc.
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 “.
Kastanitsa Kastanitsa, a traditional and preserved settlement since 1967 with special natural and architectural beauty, built in the heart of Parnon at an altitude of 840 m. And at a distance of 31 km southwest of Astros. It used to be famous for its production of lime, from where it got its color, as well as for the chestnuts that gave it its name. The large chestnut forest that surrounds it has an area of 4,500 acres. It is one of the p older existing mountain villages of Kynouria and the oldest village of Parnonas. The first written report of the village is found in 1293 in a golden decree of the Byzantine emperor Andronikos II Palaiologos, in which Kastanitsa is listed as “Komi the so-called Constanta”. Since then and in the following centuries, according to written historical sources, its historical course has never been interrupted. Kastanitsa is built on a passage of strategic importance. During the 14th century a castle was built on the top of the hill above the settlement by Byzantines of the Despotate of Mystras, whose ruins are preserved to this day. The village actively participated in the revolution of 1821 with several chiefs and hundreds of ordinary freedom fighters. The people of Kastanitsa strongly resisted Ibrahim’s troops who invaded the area on July 27, 1826, on the day of St. Panteleimon, saving the village from destruction. In the subsequent struggles, Kastanitsa was present, culminating in the National Resistance 1941-44.
The village preserves the traditional Tsakonian architecture with its characteristics, painted white, tower houses with local slate roofs, wooden balconies, bright colors in the windows and the flowered courtyards. The view from the hill – the Kapsampelis Tower (See p. 216) – at the top of the settlement, as well as from the renovated square, is excellent. It is surrounded by a dense and unspoiled forest of firs and chestnuts and is an ideal place for tranquility and walking tourism. In the center of the village dominates the patron church of the Transfiguration of the Savior, built around 1780. In 1810 and with the money of the late Kastanitsiotis Elias Manesi, an official of Catherine the Great but also by the founding members of the Friendly Society from 1818, it was built in Odessa and transferred to Kastanitsa the ornate wooden iconostasis of Russian style. dominates the center of the village. Along with the iconostasis at the same time were donated both large gilded manuals, which are still preserved in very good condition. Around the village there are 15 chapels excellently preserved, with the oldest being that of Agios Panteleimon. The folk festivals, which for centuries stood as points of reference and social and cultural creation of the ancestors, are preserved today with the most important one being the Transfiguration of the Savior on the 5th and 6th of August. An important annual cultural event is the “Forest Festival” during the first fortnight of August, and the “Chestnut Festival” which is organized every year on the last weekend of October (See page 274). The village has a very active Educational & Nature Association with many important activities and young children at the forefront. Important and with special characteristics are also the paths that connect Kastanitsa with the nearby settlements of Prastos, Sitaina and Platanos, but also the unique routes in the gorges of Mazia and Koutoupou-Zarbanitsa as well as the path that leads to Megali Tourla. A few kilometers outside of Kastanitsa is the Monastery of Kontolina (See p. 189).
The Tsakonian dialect is spoken by Leonidio, Pragmatefti, Melana, Tyros, Sapounakeika, Agios Andreas, Prasto, Sitaina, Kastanitsa. Settlements: Sampatiki, Livadi, Vaskina, Paliochora, Agios Panteleimonas (Fouska), Dernikeika
The Tsakonian dialect
The Tsakonian dialect, the Tsakonian dance, the costume, the customs and traditions of the Tsakonians, are another dynamic of the Parnon area. According to the “Chronicle of Monemvasia”: “And the prefectures and peasants of Thremte were settled in the rugged places adjacent to it, and finally the jaconia were named”. The Tsakones, as true descendants of the Dorians, kept their roots intact and the Tsakonian language is still the living expression of the Doric dialect. In the cradle of Tsakonia, today insists on walking and creating in the footsteps of yesterday in a perpetual and uninterrupted breath of Greece.
The special linguistic treasure of our place The Tsakonian dialect has been included in the list of endangered languages of UNESCO and is recognized as a cultural achievement and a unique treasure of culture. The language was preserved genuine and unadulterated in the mouths of ordinary people, peasants, shepherds and farmers. In the wishes, in the greetings, in the curses, in the everyday expressions, in the teasing and the jokes, there is for centuries now the linguistic treasure of the Tsakonians. In this special part of the Greek land called Tsakonia (the cradle of Tsakonia was Prastos, Kastanitsa and Sitaina), in these rugged places, the inhabitants of the area, with few means, not only survived, but left behind a valuable heritage, the Tsakonian tradition, the beautiful language, the unique evocative Tsakonian dance, the Tsakonian trago yds, the weaving art, their habits, what we now call manners and customs. All this composes the identity of the place with a living language that is in the hands of the Tsakonians, but also of all Hellenism, to embrace it and protect it from oblivion
From Clikatlife
Lime, chestnuts and celebration ·
For centuries, Kastanitsa was famous for its production of lime, which was baked in traditional kilns (once there were over 30 lime kilns in the village), while today, the houses, courtyards, churches and walls of Kastanitsa, continue to be whitewashed and white, like on an Aegean island. · The village is also famous for the chestnuts, which probably gave it its name. The large chestnut forest that surrounds it has an area of 4,500 acres and in the past, the chestnut harvest exceeded 400 tons. ·.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Agios Nikolaos-Panteleimon Kontolina Kastanitsa The monastery is located in a lush forest area, between chestnut trees and firs, 12 km from the settlement of Kastantitsa to Stravotrachi. Today the repaired katholikon is preserved and frescoes of the 18th century are preserved. of Kyriakos Koulidas and the nephew of “Panos” (1760 AD). The monastery was originally named Agios Nikolaos and according to tradition took its current name, from the victorious battle against Ibrahim (eve and day of Agios Panteleimon on 26 – 27 July 1826 AD), as the inhabitants of the area attributed part of the victory to the help of Saint Panteleimon. The monastery according to a patriarchal sigil of 1628 AD. was built at the beginning of the 15th c. and operated between 1628 and 1834 AD. when it is dissolved after the decree of Otto. In 1826 he was destroyed by Ibrahim’s hordes in retaliation for the defeat of his army in the area of Kastanitsa. The all-wood carved iconostasis is preserved in its original form, with floral decoration. It is celebrated on the feast of St. Panteleimon, on July 27. When you open the links you see our sources. Sources, photos and texts <, Clicatlife Nation, newsbeast.driverstories>
Please see the links, they are very excellent like Kastanitsa …..
https://www.ethnos.gr/travel/4345_kastanitsa-arkadias-kastana-pyrgospita-kai-tsakonikes-paradoseis
https://www.clickatlife.gr/taksidi/story/7118
https://www.driverstories.gr/%CE%BA%CE%B1%CF%83%CF%84%CE…/
http://www.tsakonianarchives.gr/…
astrosgr.com 