Prefecture of Achaia
Strofylia
The forest ecosystem of Strofylia is of great ecological interest, because it is the most extensive Pinus pinea forest in Greece and one of the largest in Europe. The other ecosystems of the area, such as the sandy hills, salt and freshwater wetlands, wet meadows and sandy beaches with dunes, are also very important. Despite human activities, a large part of the dunes are in good condition. The plant species Centaurea niederi, is a rare endemic species of Greece growing on limestone rocks in the area of Kalogria (Mavra Vouna hill). The sandy beach, especially in the northern part of the area, has been reported as a nesting area for the sea turtle Caretta caretta.
Acropolis of the Western Wall
Acropolis of the Western Wall
The prehistoric acropolis of the Dymaion Wall, in Araxos, Achaia (35km west of Patras), is the only example of a fortified Mycenaean acropolis in Western Greece.
The long and intensive occupation of the Damascus Wall (from the Neolithic period – c. 3500 BC – The strategic position of the wall, with an unobstructed view of the surrounding lowland area, the Dumaea land, as well as the coastal zone of the Patraikos Gulf to the north and the Ionian Sea to the west, combined with the natural wealth of the Araxos peninsula, and above all the combination of the land and sea elements at the intersection of which the site is located.
Portes
The archaeological site at Kefalovryso Portes (about 45 km southwest of Patras) is one of the most important ancient sites in Western Greece, since important and unique remains of the Mycenaean period (1600-1000 BC) have been unearthed here.
In the prehistoric cemetery of Portes one finds a series of different burial practices that provide us with valuable information about the social, administrative and military organization of the Mycenaean world. Unique is the burial of a warrior-officer, dating back to the end of the 12th century BC, which was found unidentified in the chamber tomb 3 and is perhaps the most important Mycenaean burial of these years in Greece so far. Its rich grave goods include various clay vessels and a unique series of bronze utensils and weapons.
Northwest of the cemetery and almost in contact with it, the remains (wall foundations) of the houses of the settlement, which is adjacent to the natural spring, Kefalovryso, rich in water.
Ancient Theatre of Aegeira
The ancient theatre is one of the most important monuments of Ancient Aegeira. It was built on a sloping rocky hill of the city overlooking the Corinthian Gulf to the east. It is located at an altitude of 350m. from the sea level and north of the Acropolis.
Most of the hollow and the orchestra are carved into the rock. Its construction dates back to the first half of the 3rd century BC, when the 2nd Common of the Achaeans was founded. At the same time, the Achaean League was reorganised, while the prosperity and political stability of the time favoured the realisation of an ambitious building programme in the city, which included the construction of the theatre and the temples around it.
Archaeological Museum of Aigio
Works of truly great historical value are housed in a neoclassical space, a jewel for Aigio by the architect Chiller, such as the restored former municipal market of Aigio. The building was constructed at the end of the 19th century and is one of the monumental buildings left in Greece by the great German architect.
It hosts works from excavations and excavations of the surrounding area with its main exhibit being a statue that is believed to depict the Aegean Zeus, protector of the ancient city. The visitor can admire works of the Neolithic, Early Helladic, Middle Helladic, Mycenaean, Geometric, Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic and Roman periods, thus proving the long history of the city of Aigio, one of the oldest in Greece.
Address: St. St. Andreou and Michalopoulou 3
Telephone: 26910.21517 – 26910.61313 (+fax)
Kalavryta
Kalavryta is a mountainous town in the prefecture of Achaia and is a tourist resort for all seasons of the year.
The Ski Centre is a constant challenge to the senses, a winter sports paradise. It is located on the slopes of Helmos, 15 km away. from Kalavryta and has 11 slopes with a total length of 20 km.
At a height of 2.340 m. at the summit of Helmos (Fairy Dome), the new telescope “Aristarchus”, one of the largest and most important in Europe with a mirror diameter of 2.3 m, has been installed.
Also for lovers of nature tourism, Kalavryta offers monuments of rare natural beauty, which you can get to know by following the international path “E4”, or dozens of other paths.
Kalavryta Ski Centre
The Ski Centre of Kalavryta is one of the most famous ski resorts in the country, due to the services it offers and the beauty of the landscape.
It operates on the northwest side of Chelmos at the location of Vatheia Lakka and at an altitude of 1650 m. to 2340 m. Here, the highest aerial lift in Greece is located, giving the visitor the opportunity to enjoy a spectacular view that extends to the waters of the Corinthian Gulf, in Eastern Achaia.
The Kalavryta Ski Centre, thanks to its rich infrastructure, can comfortably meet the high demands of sporting expeditions or individual athletes involved in winter sports. It has been operating since 1988 and has 7 ski lifts, 12 ski runs, comfortable parking areas, cafeterias, restaurants, a shop selling and renting ski equipment, a ski school and a first aid station.
On the premises you will find a special slope for moguls ski, snowboarding, cross country ski trails, the unique snow tubes park, you will be able to enjoy paragliding, snowmobile trails and many events.
For flight lovers, the Kalavryta ski centre is an ideal place to take off either to the valley of Lousse, or to Kalavryta and the Hero.
Cave of Lakes-Castres
The Cave is a rare creation of nature, which is a global geological phenomenon
Apart from the labyrinthine corridors, the mysterious galleries and the strange stalactite formations, it has successive staggered ponds – even on three floors – that make it unique in the world. It is an old underground riverbed with an explored length of 1 980 metres. In winter, when the snow melts, the cave turns into an underground river with natural waterfalls.
On the lower floor of the Cave, fossilized bones of humans and various animals including a hippopotamus were found.
Toothless Railway - Vouraikos Gorge
On March 10, 1896, the cog railway connecting Diakopto with the historic town of Kalavryta started its journey. The steep gradient of the line does not allow a conventional train to run, so a toothed axle was placed between the rails, enabling the train to climb from sea level to the station at Kalavryta, 750 metres above sea level. It has the shortest track width in Europe (0,75 m).
The train continues its journey through time, offering wonderful moments to its passengers, starting from Diakopto and passing through crocodile rocks that cause shivers and awe, through bridges and tunnels and through places where peace spreads out under the slow ghostly sound of the toothed train. The narrowest and most beautiful parts of the gorge are at Niames, Portes, Portes, Triklia, Sifoni and the ‘court’, a cave with stalagmitic rocks that resemble a courtroom.
Toothless Railway - Vouraikos Gorge
On March 10, 1896, the cog railway connecting Diakopto with the historic town of Kalavryta started its journey. The steep gradient of the line does not allow a conventional train to run, so a toothed axle was placed between the rails, enabling the train to climb from sea level to the station at Kalavryta, 750 metres above sea level. It has the shortest track width in Europe (0,75 m).
The train continues its journey through time, offering wonderful moments to its passengers, starting from Diakopto and passing through crocodile rocks that cause shivers and awe, through bridges and tunnels and through places where peace spreads out under the slow ghostly sound of the toothed train. The narrowest and most beautiful parts of the gorge are at Niames, Portes, Portes, Triklia, Sifoni and the ‘court’, a cave with stalagmitic rocks that resemble a courtroom.
Lake Tsivlou (Natura 2000)
It is located in the mountainous area of Akrata at an altitude of 800 meters and was formed after a major landslide that blocked the river Krathi in 1913, when huge volumes of soil covered the riverbed, overwhelming a part of the settlement of Tsivlou, from where the lake took its name.
The lake has a surface area of 200 acres and a depth of 80 meters.
At Lake Tsivlou one can enjoy swimming in its crystal clear waters and gentle hiking on the paths that surround it.
Aristarchus telescope in Helmos
In the area of the Kalavryta ski center, at the top of Neraidorachi and at an altitude of 2340 m. The state-of-the-art Aristarchus telescope (in honour of the ancient Greek astronomer Aristarchus), the largest in the Balkans and the Eastern Mediterranean countries, has been installed and operates.
The telescope can observe objects up to 5 billion light years away.
It is considered one of the most advanced technological telescopes in Europe.
It has a diameter of 2.3 meters and high accuracy for targeting and tracking celestial objects.
The telescope has joined the Pan-European Program “OPTICON” in which the largest and most modern telescopes in Europe participate and there is interest in using the telescope lens by research institutions for scientific cooperation and research.
