Kastanitsa is one of the oldest recorded mountainous villages, dating back to the 12^th century AD and still inhabited nowadays. The village belongs to the complex of Kinouriaka villages of Mount Parnonas and it is located in the county of Arcadia in the Peloponnese. According to written manuscripts its existence is first recorded in 1293 AD and it is justifiably characterized as a Historical Preserved Monument and a Region of Particular Natural Beauty by UNESCO.

According to many Byzantine manuscripts, the historical course of Kastanitsa never seized to evolve through the centuries. Even during the Greek Revolution of 1821, the inhabitants of Kastanitsa gave their own battles and proclaimed their independence from the Turkish rule. It is considered as one of the most beautiful preserved settlements of the Peloponnesian peninsula and an area where the locals still use their own dialect, which is called the ‘Tsakoniki’ dialect.

Traditional stone-built and white-washed houses most of them tower houses of at least 300 years of age, wooden balconies, brightly coloured windows and yards full of blossoming flowers…All of the above in combination to the stone-paved alleys, give the village an idyllic, happy setting which resembles to that of an Aegean island village although Kastanitsa is located up on the mountains. The view from the hill, from the castle at the top of the settlement and from the newly renovated main square of the village, is absolutely stunning.

The village is surrounded by a dense forest of fir trees and chestnut trees and it takes its name from the word “chestnut” – which is “kastano” in Greek. The village is famous for its production of chestnuts, as well as, for the recipes of delectable dishes and desserts containing chestnuts which it serves to visitors making the effort to approach it. 

[source : kastanitsa.gr]

From: Eva Kanellopoulos

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