Valtesiniko: The Mountain Village That Inspired Theodoros Kolokotronis

Nestled in the municipality of Gortynia, Valtesiniko is one of the highest villages in the Arcadia region, located 63 kilometers from Tripoli. Surrounded by lush forests of pine and walnut trees, this picturesque village sits at an elevation of 1,118 meters on the northern slope of Mount Mainalo, earning it the nickname “balcony of Mainalo.” Recognized as a traditional settlement, Valtesiniko boasts cobblestone streets, stone houses with red-tiled roofs, churches, and historic monasteries. Just one kilometer away lies the site of Lenika, where ruins of an ancient city, temple, and Mycenaean walls have been uncovered. Archaeological excavations conducted by the French Archaeological Society in 1939 revealed that the temple dates back to the 7th century B.C. and was dedicated to the goddess Artemis. During the Frankish rule, the village was known as Valtes, and remnants of a medieval fortress can still be found atop Paleokastro hill. In the early 15th century, Turks began appearing in the area, occasionally granting privileges to the locals. In 1770, Valtesiniko participated in the Orlov Revolt, which was brutally suppressed. Half a century later, during the Greek War of Independence, the village served as the launching point for Theodoros Kolokotronis. Nearby lies the abandoned village of Libovissi, birthplace of the Elder of Morea, where his restored family home now operates as a museum. Valtesiniko has also been renowned for its woodcarving tradition since the 19th century, spearheaded by members of the Dinopoulos family. The village features a folklore museum and the Monastery of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, founded in the 17th century and renovated in the 1990s. Further afield stands the abandoned Monastery of St. Nicholas, or ‘Paleomonastiro,’ dating from the 16th century. Each year on August 16th, a local festival celebrates traditional threshing practices, attracting numerous visitors. Traditional taverns and cafes in Valtesiniko serve authentic regional dishes cooked in wood-fired ovens using locally sourced ingredients. Don’t miss sampling walnut-based sweets like walnut pie and syrup-soaked walnut desserts. Located approximately 190 kilometers from Athens, Valtesiniko is about a 2.5-hour drive via the Athens-Tripoli National Road.