Goura village

This beautiful traditional village is 945m above sea level on the slopes of Mount Ziria, and has some great views out over the Feneos plateau. It is the main village in the area and has guest houses, cafes and tavernas, so all in all it is a great starting point for excursions to interesting places nearby such as lake Doxa, Panagia tou Vrachou and lake Stymphalia.

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Imagine yourself sitting in a beautiful square, breathing in the cool, clear air, watching the world go by and casting admiring glances at Taxiarches Church (1877) and the stone-built village houses. If this sounds like a good way to relax and find some peace of mind far from the city and everyday problems, then Goura could be the destination you are looking for. The village is built at 945m above sea level, on the slopes of Mount Ziria and has beautiful views of the Feneos plateau. Take some time to look around the settlement with its 19th century stone-built houses. These were built by local craftsmen and have stood the test of time; indeed, some are now guesthouses or hotels. 

On weekdays, the pace of life here is calm and peaceful, but things get livelier on weekends and holidays when visitors head for the village to enjoy the good food in the local tavernas. They also call into the grocery stores to pick up traditional Feneos products such as the famous chickpea dip, local handmade pasta, fresh meats and cheeses.

Some of the villagers work in tourism and hospitality, but many continue to earn their living as livestock breeders and farmers. This is part of the village’s traditional way of life, as back in the 19th century most locals worked in arable farming or in vineyards. It was around this time that cattle breeders came here from Central Greece and Epirus.

The village’s name probably comes from Arvanitika (the language spoken by descendants of Albanians who settled in Greece in the 13th and 14th centuries), from word Gura meaning "stone, rocky place" - even though Arvanitika was not traditionally spoken here.

Goura is a great starting point for excursions to interesting places nearby such as lake Doxa, Panagia tou Vrachou (Virgin Mary of the Rock) and lake Stymphalia. You can also go and explore the Skafidia plateau on Mount Ziria and look for the seasonal Dasiou lake.

Location

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