Stemnitsa, during Antiquity known as Ipsois, is a mountain village in the municipality of Gortynia in Arcadia. Built in Mainalo and at a height of 1083 meters, [2] it is characterized as a traditional settlement. The distance from Athens is 220 km and 45 km from Tripoli. Its population according to the 2011 census is 191 inhabitants, while in 2001 it was 412 inhabitants.
Stemnitsa is a popular tourist destination throughout the year. In Stemnitsa there are several traditional hostels and a luxury hotel. Some of the attractions in the area are:
The holy Temple of St. Georgiou in the center of Stemnitsa containing original frescoes by Fotis Kontoglou
Our Lady of Bafero (12th century), Stemnitsa
Our Lady of Bafero (12th century), single-aisled basilica with a semi-cylindrical dome, with a portico on the north side which is a later addition (1910) [8].
Road with sachnisia, Stemnitsa
The Folklore Museum of Stemnitsa
The School of Silver and Goldsmithing
The Menalon Trail starts from Stemnitsa Square, the first certified with European standards (LQT) path in Greece and the tenth in Europe, inaugurated on 31/5/2015 by the European Ramblers' Association, the Pan-European Confederation of Hikers which represents 55 federations from 34 countries and a total of 3,000,000 hikers. This 75 km long trail crosses the ravine of Lousios, passes by I.M.Prodromos, the old and new I.M.Philosofou, water museum, Dimitsana, Zygovisti, Elati, Mylaonta gorge, Vytina, Nymfasia, Kernitsa, Magouliana, Valtesiniko, Lagadia and gathers hikers from all over the world.
The gorge of Lucius
The monasteries of Agios Ioannis Prodromos, one of the most important monasteries of the Peloponnese, the I.M. Panagia Filosofou and the Holy Monastery of Zoodochou Pigi (15th century).
The Monastery of Zoodochou Pigi of the 15th century, which is built on a rocky hill. In the two-storey cell of the Monastery that survives to this day, was the seat of the First Peloponnesian Senate from May to June 1821. The monastery also survives the church of Zoodochos Pigi, which is cruciform with a dome and is believed to have been built around 1443.
The fir forest of Mainalo and its ski center.
The picturesque villages and the traditional settlements of the area (Elliniko, Syrna, Psari Gortynias, Palamari, Pavlia etc.
