Description of Kalavrita
Kalavryta is the most popular
winter destination in the
Peloponnese and justly holds the reigns of tourist interest as it is the base for the second largest
ski center in
Greece and numerous important
historical monuments. It offers good food in
restaurants and
taverns and stay in beautiful
hotels and
hostels.
Geography of Kalavrita
Kalavrita is just 77km far from Patras and 200km far from Athens. This historical town in the mountains of Achaia is built at the foot of Mount Chelmos, 750m above sea level. This beautiful mountain town is just half an hour far from the beautiful beaches of the Corinthian Gulf, combining holidays on the mountains and sea.
History of Kalavrita
The ancient town of Kynaitha was built there and in the Middle Ages the many springs in the town gave it the name of Kala-vryta (good springs). It may be a small town, but has starred in important pages of Modern Greek history. On March 25, 1821 in the nearby monastery of Agia Lavra, the banner of the Revolution was raised starting the Greek war of Independence. During the Greek War of Independence of 1821 Kalavryta was burnt to the ground twice. However, the town suffered its worst tragedy during the German occupation, the holocaust of Kalavryta, when in 1943 all the men and boys over the age of 13 were executed by German troops. Today Kalavryta is a modern town with lots of tourist attractions.
This beautiful mountain town, located just half an hour from the beautiful beaches of the Corinthian Gulf and about 3 hours from Athens, gives visitors the opportunity to combine holidays on the mountains and sea.
Sightseeing in Kalavrita
This quaint train setting off from Diakofto to Kalavryta is the narrowest rack railway in Europe and the only one in Greece. It dates back to 1896, and was the work of the government of Charilaos Trikoupis, a pioneer idea at that time. Very close to Kalavryta there are two significant monasteries, that of Aghia Lavra and that of Mega Spilaio. The monastery of Aghia Lavra is located 7km far from the gateway of Kalavryta and dates back to the 10th century. The monastery of Mega Spilaio is 10km far from Kalavryta and it dates back to the 4th century and is considered to be one of the oldest monasteries in Greece. In the village of Kastria, 6km far from Kalavryta, there is the Cave of the Lakes, one of the largest and most significant caves in Greece. The cave is in fact the bed of a subterranean river holding water in 13 terraced lakes. Numerous stalactites and stalagmites in various shapes adorn the cave’s high roofs reaching heights of 30m.
Useful Phones in Kalavryta
Police in Kalavryta: +30 2610 695000, 695191
Hospital in Kalavryta: +30 2610 223812
Bus services in Kalavryta: +30 2610 623887
Kalavryta Railway: +30 2610 639110
Kalavryta Ski Center: +30 26 920 24451
