Vytina is a mountain village in the Peloponnese, in the prefecture of Arcadia. It is located at an altitude of 1033 meters, on Mount Mainalo, in a wooded area dominated by pines, firs and chestnuts. [1] It is one of the most remarkable mountain resorts in the Peloponnese and in Greece. According to the 2011 census it has 652 inhabitants. It has been characterized as a traditional settlement.
Its name, according to the prevailing view, comes from the word "Vythos" because it was originally built in a basin between hills. It is said to have been built after the demolition of the ancient city "Methydrio", the ruins of which are located at a distance of 5 km. Pausanias mentions the city of Methydrio in 174 BC: "Methydrio is no longer a prosperous city ...". The most probable time of the founding of Vytina is said to be around 350 AD, at a distance of 2-3 km from its current location, in the area of Damaskinia.
The most important sights in Vytina are the Church of Agios Tryphon that dominates the town square, built in 1846 with black marble from the surrounding area, the two traditional wood ovens located near the main square and the Folklore Museum. and a visit to the remarkable library with documents and books from the 17th century. It is also worth seeing the Primary School of Vytina, which is a benefit of Andreas Syggros. What gives the city its special beauty is the tree-lined "road of love" that starts almost from the square and ends at the national road Tripoli Vytina. The street has been called so since ancient times, when it was a place of walking and acquaintances for the young people of the time. [2] Main products are honey from coniferous trees and livestock, meat, cheese, etc.
Based on Vytina and at a relatively close distance one can visit Dimitsana, the gorge of Lousios, Stemnitsa and Lagadia, while going up the slopes of Mainalo with a good asphalt road reaches the plateau of Ostrakina at an altitude of 1600 m. centre.
