Karytaina

Karytaina Καρύταινα
Location
Karytaina
Coordinates	37°29′N 22°3′E / 37.483°N 22.050°E / 37.483; 22.050Coordinates: 37°29′N 22°3′E / 37.483°N 22.050°E / 37.483; 22.050
Government
Country:	Greece
Administrative region:	Peloponnese
Regional unit:	Arcadia
Municipality:	Megalopoli
Municipal unit:	Gortyna
Population statistics (as of 2001)[1]
Community
- Population:	257
Other
Time zone:	EET/EEST (UTC+2/3)

Karytaina (Greek: Καρύταινα, also Καρίταινα) is a village and a community in Arcadia, Greece. It was the seat of the former municipality Gortyna. in 2001 Karytaina had a population of 204 for the village and 257 for the community, which includes the villages Kalyvakia and Karvounaris. Karytaina is situated on a hill on the right bank of the river Alfeios, near its confluence with the Lousios. The Frankish Castle of Karytaina was built on a steep rocky outcrop in 1245 by Geoffrey of Briel.

Karytaina is 9 km (5.6 mi) southwest of Stemnitsa, 12 km (7.5 mi) east of Andritsaina, 12 km (7.5 mi) south of Dimitsana and 12 km (7.5 mi) northwest of Megalopoli. The Greek National Road 76 (Krestena - Andritsaina - Megalopoli) passes east of the town. Karytaina was depicted on the reverse of the Greek 5000 drachmas banknote of 1984-2001.^[2] Karytaina has schools, a church, and several shops and services. The village is built at the top of a hill around its medieval castle, in the site of ancient Vrenthi, and is specially distinguished for its medieval character, due to its castle, houses and byzantine churches.

Ηistory

Snapshot from Karytaina.

Karytaina is at first mentioned in the 13th century, during the Frankokratia in Greece. At this time it was the seat of the Barony of Karytaina, one of the twelve baronies of the Principality of Achaea. In the French variation of the Chronicle of the Morea it is mentioned as "Caraintaine". In the first years of the Frankοkratia the barony was held by the Briel or Bruyères family.The third baron, Geoffrey of Briel, built the castle of Karytaina in the middle of the century. For its construction fragments from ancient Vrenthi, that was built in the same site, were used. Τhe impressive and strong castle of Karytaina had given strategic role to the town and secured it effectively. Later Karytaina passed under the rule of the Despotate of the Morea, as it was acquired by Andronikos Palaiologos. By 1460 it passed under the Ottomans. During the Turkish rule it remained an important commercial center, that the Greeks took in 1821 on the outbreak of the Greek War of Independence. In 1826 Theodoros Kolokotronis used it as a base of operations against Ibrahim Pasha of Egypt and as a shelter for women and children.

Sights

Κarytaina is proclaimed a traditional settlement as it retains the colour of the medieval castle town. Its main sight is its castle, built at the top of the hill above the village. Its length is more than 110 m and its width more than 40 m. Its walls are 7 m high and to 2 m thick. Near Karytaina flows Alfeios river, that forms, south of Karytaina, a deep gorge, contributing to the natural fortification of the area. Τwo traditional bridges, Koukos' and Karytaina's, are preserved on Alfeios. The first is one-arched, built in 1880, and is preserved in good condition. The second was five-arched but its main arch was destroyed during a battle in the Greek Civil War (1946-1949) and remains to our days partly destroyed. By that bridge runs the modern road that connects Karytaina to Megalopolis. Ruins of many watermills, that had operated in the region, are retained. Karytaina's view is astonishing for the visitor from the distance. In the past it was depicted on the one side of the 5,000 drachmas banknote. Author Nikos Kazantzakis called it "Greece's Toledo", when he visited it.

Historical population

See also

• List of settlements in Arcadia

External links

• Arcadia - Karytaina(in Greek)

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Karitena.