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Stemnitsa (also called Ypsous) is 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) from Dimitsana on your way to Tripoli, which you reach after another
45 kilometers (28 miles). It is a beautiful village at an altitude of 1015 meters (3045 feet) on a slope of Mt. Mainalon.
Being near the Skiing center on Mt. Mainalon, it is an ideal winter resort, but it does have visitors year round.
One hotel and several rooms to let are offered to visitors.
What is not generally known is that Stemnitsa was the capital of liberated Greece during the summer of 1821, the first year of the
Greek Revolution. During the Byzantine Era, it was the center of belfry construction, and local artisans made a living building bell
towers all over the Peloponnese and beyond. A carved stone belfry is in the main village square (See Photo). More belfries are to
be admired in the 18 Byzantine churches and Monasteries in and around the village: Aghios Georgios, Zoodohou Pigis (15th century),
Tris Ierarches (17th cent.), Saint Nicholas (14th cent.) and Panayia Bafero (12th cent.) are the most impressive ones that should not be missed.
Besides belfry construction, the people of Stemnitsa excelled in crafting jewelry. A long tradition was created here, and the Greek State, in
recognition of this fact, established a Technical School of Silvery (a two-year course) right here. Last but not least, Stemnitsa is also famous
for the local traditional sweets (bourekia, diples, etc.), as well as a variety of pasta products, which are of very good quality and are available
in central shops.
Stemnitsa is proud of its Cultural Museum, housed in the 18th century Hadji Mansion. There is also the “Nikoletopoulos” Cultural Center,
housed in a renovated Elementary School. |
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