Agroville is surrounded by local destinations of immense natural beauty and picturesque scenery. Several of them are noted for their historical or religious importance, impressing visitors and offering unique agritourism experiences to them.
During your stay at Agroville, we will organize exciting daily excursions and visit several destinations. Feel free to select one or more to visit or let us propose an excursion itinerary built around your preferences.
The Vouraikos Canyon spans across 20 km. and hosts Vouraikos River, after which it is named. It is located 13 km. north-east of Kalavrita and together with mount Chelmos they are a part of NATURA 2000 scheme.The flora of the canyon is particularly fascinating, since several rare or threatened species exist there, including Campanula rupestris, Stachys Parolinii, and Aurinia Moreana. The fauna of the canyon is quite extensive as well, with several animals choosing to seek refuge at the forested mountains surrounding the canyon itself.
The National Park of Helmos – Vouraikos, where the Vouraikos Canyon belongs to, is one of the 120 Unesco Global Geoparks, attributed to its distinct geological heritage and enriched natural environment of the area.
The Vouraikos River flows from Kalavrita Mountains and ends up in the Corinthian gulf. As it flowed through the years and decades, it formed a deep, uniquely beautiful natural canyon.
In 1889, inside the canyon and next to the Vouraikos River, the one-of-a-kind toothed (“Odontotos”) track railway was constructed, offeing today a remarkable itinerary to travelers, inside the Vouraikos canyon.
If you would like to visit truly untouched parts of nature, where human intervention is nearly non-existent, and splendid landscapes will amaze you, you can select to visit Selinounda canyon. It is located close to Agroville and possesses features which can impress even the most demanding nature lover. The -hard to reach-Selinounda waterfall will offer a unique experience and contact with nature.
The Selinounda Canyon spans across 14 km. and is ideal for rafting, canoe kayak and river trekking activities. Towards the end of the canyon, the river seems to enter a mysterious cavern, an exquisite natural creation with underground lakes present. Adventure and marvelous landscapes are both present in the Selinounda canyon.
Rare birds tend to flock over and around the canyon, including several species of eagles; the variety and uniqueness of the flora and fauna render the canyon an unforgettable destination. The Selinounda canyon is part of the NATURA 2000 scheme as a biodiverse location of particular importance.
Kalavrita is a small, picturesque town close to Agroville. The town is constructed at an altitude of 756 m at the lower levels of Chelmos Mountain, and is situated in an area filled with monuments, sightseeing sights and firs.
During your visit to Kalavrita you will encounter scattered monuments which will provide a taste of the area’s long history, dating since the ancient times. Kalavrita was an important location during the Greek Revolution of 1821, since the Revolution practically begun there. At Kalavrita, in the historic Agia Lavra Monastery, the banner of the Greek Revolution was raised at 25th of March, 1821. A more recent, yet tragic, event in the town’s history is the holocaust which took place at December of 1943.
The Vouraikos Canyon of exquisite natural beauty, the Odontotos rack railway which passed through the canyon, the Ski Center of Chelmos / Kalavrita, the Kalavrita Castle, the Cave at the Lakes and historic Monasteries are but some of the sights you may visit while we are at Kalavrita.
Odontotos rack railway is located under the shadow of the Chelmos Mountain, offering a journey to nature and a wondrous tour with outstandingly beautiful scenery.
About 113 years ago Odontotos rack railway started from the seaside town of Diakopto parallel to the river and climbed to Kalavrita through bridges and tunnels.
Since then the Vouraikos River and Odontotos go together. The little train incorporated so well to the natural environment that it seems that it had always been there. The way it was constructed did not put a strain on the ecosystem of the gorge. Using stone and wood from the area the technicians’ work is so perfect that someone may think that the nature worked on its own.
The rack railway is called “Odontotos” or “Toothed” due to the fact that the railway is built with a toothed structure in order to allow the special trains to climb on steep slopes. Boarding the Odontotos, with a trip duration of approximately one hour, we will travel from Diakopto inside the Vouraikos Canyon, through the Zachlorou village and finally get off at Kalavrita. The unique railway travels along the Vouraikos river and encounters both small and larger waterfalls of exquisite natural beauty.
Total trip distance is 22 km and the train travels with an average speed of 6-15 km/h at the toothed segment of the line, increasing to 30-40 km/h at other segments.
In the glorious Neraidorachi of Chelmos Mountain, at an altitude of 2,100 m, you can find the Water of Styx. A magical yet imposing landscape awaits you there, famed for its natural beauty since ancient times. A majestic waterfall is formed, falling towards a steep canyon from an altitude of 200 m and towards the Krathi River.
You may ascend to the Water of Styx from the Peristera (or Solos) villages. An uphill path begins there, and ends at the Water of Styx at the Mavroneri waterfall. In order to climb the path you will need about 90 minutes in walking speed, as well as a local guide to help you through since portions of the path are somewhat confusing to pass through. However, the spectacle at the top is splendid, making up for the effort taken to climb the path and offering a unique ecotourism experience!
The Water of Styx has been chronicled in history,in theology and philosophy, an example being the well-known ‘Mysteries of Elefsina’. According to mythology, the Water of Styx flowed from a gigantic rock and was then lost in the bowels of the Earth; the water was believed to possess extraordinary attributes and was guarded by sleepless dragons day and night.
The Water of Styx has been referred by Homer, Hesiod, and Herodotus in their works. A well-known mythical figure linked to the Water of Styx is the legendary hero Achilles. Once Achilles was born, his mother Thetis submerged him in the Water of Styx to render him immortal.
One of the most prominent monasteries in Greece, with significant religious and historical importance, is situated in the wider area surrounding Agroville. The Agia Lavra Monastery, located 5 km south-east from Kalavrita city, at the outskirts of Velia Mountain and at a height of 933 m. The Monastery was founded by monk Eugene, friend of Saint Athanasios according to Orthodox culture, in 961 AD. In the events of the Greek Revolution of 1821 the Agia Lavra Monastery was deemed quite important to the armed struggle, as Palaion Patron Germanos raised the banner of revolution inside the site, and swore an oath for freedom along with historical figures and soldiers of the era. The banner is being displayed inside the Monastery until today, together with other cultural relics including: The first flag of the Hellenic State, the Epitaph of 1754 knit in Smirni, an icon of Saint George crafted in Constantinople by Kokona Rologa, a Holy Gospel book gifted by the Empress of Russia Ekaterina B’ the Great, gold-threaded regalia of Paleon Patron Germanos, as well as several crosses and other relics. The Monastery carries an impressive collection of 3,000 rare books, with the oldest one timed at 1502 AD.
The Kalavrita Holocaust Museum is a historical museum present in Kalavrita, erected in memoriam of the tragic events which took place on December 13th, 1943, when Nazi German troops executed all male citizens aged over 14 years old. The murderous act took place at the Kapi hill, just 500 m from the Kalavrita town center, on the way to the Ski Center. Today, a large cross is placed there to remind the heinous war crimes of the era, and names of the families of the executed are inscribed in plaques around the central location.
The Museum is housed at the old Kalavrita Primary School, which on December 13th 1943 was burnt to ground by the Nazi German troops. The school was rebuilt after the war ended, and in 1986 was declared a historical site from the Ministry of Culture, designated to house the Kalavrita Holocaust Museum.
In the Museum’s collection one can find materials related with recent history of Kalavrita, with plentiful material relating to the Holocaust events and local history events during the war; maps, photo materials, personal items of executed folk and other memorabilia exist there.
Join us in an area that is blessed by nature, beautiful villages and unique landscapes. Together we will discover places that maintain their traditions and customs. We will taste local traditional tastes and recipes. We will meet local people who will talk to us about the secrets of this beautiful area. We are looking forward to meet you!
