On the firry Mount Menalo (44km from Tripoli) and on an altitude of 1033m a real oasis appears, Bytina. It is a place with majestic view and healthy climate that gathers many vacationers and visitors throughout the year. During bank holidays most of the visitors come from the nearby town of Tripoli. Bytina is the birthplace of the historian Konstandino Paparrigopoulo and Basilio Ikonomidi whose busts give evidence of Bytinas` contribution in education and science.
Maria Papadopoulou, the sister of Paulo Mela, had founded a sanatorium located in an area above the town. It was used for the soldiers and the old warriors of the Balkan Wars. Nowadays the sanatorium does not operate anymore however the good climate of the area still attracts many tourists during all seasons.
In the wintertime the snow-covered Bytina offers a unique and astonishing sight. The Central Square of the village, with the remarkable stone-built church, the graphic coffee shops and the nearby traditional old bakery and tavernas, is idyllic as well as convenient for the visitors. An interesting building is the stone-built Elementary School.
Bytina is famous for the high quality of its diary products, meat and honey that comes from the conifers. Furthermore the woodcraft products produced by the natives are engrossing.
Lately many summerhouses have been built in Bytina and the surrounding area as well as many old houses have been restored and renewed. Hotel Xenia is built in an awesome location inside the fir trees forest. It is on the way to Dimitsana and Lagadia, 3km far from Bytina. Right after this hotel, a beautiful camping offers accommodation during the summer period. The quarry that produces the ornamental black marbles is based southeast of Bytina. Other attractions are the Byzantine monastery of Kernitsa, near Bytina and the “Pafsanias` Spring”, mentioned in Pafsanias` book “Arkadica”, which is located on the fringe of Mount Menalo, 3km before arriving to Bytina coming from Tripoli.
The routes to Alonistena, Dimitsana, Lagadia, Magouliana, and Pyrgaki (through the fir trees forest) are marvelous.
 |
Map of Arcadia |
