The pine forest sanatoria

The stone sanatoria around Vytina village were built in the early 20th century in a very characteristic hospital architecture. Two of them are in a bad condition and the third is transformed into a 5-star resort. Nevertheless, they are worth a short visit.

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One of the first things that strikes you when you arrive in Menalo mountain is the crisp, clear mountain air. In the old days, before cures for tuberculosis were found, this fresh air was the best medicine available for TB sufferers, who were often also stigmatized and isolated from society and family. Many of them found their way up to the villages in the mountains and three TB sanatoria were built in the area around Vytina village.

The "Mana" (mother) sanatorium, the largest and most significant sanatorium, is now a refurbished luxury spa hotel in Korfoxylia Magouliana. It was built between 1925-28 thanks to the initiative and fundraising efforts of Anna Papadopoulou, the sister of the famous Pavlos Melas who was an important figure in the Greek independence movement. Anna Papadopoulou was very involved in the whole effort to provide relief and treatment for TB sufferers, so much so that she became known as "Mana”. It was a rare example of hospital architecture, and was built of stone and had four floors. 

Unfortunately, the "Agios Tryphon" sanatorium in Vytina is in a bad condition. It was built between 1927-28 by the pulmonologist Bobolas, and was sold and then closed down in 1941.

The third, unfinished but very impressive stone sanatorium was built in the forests above Alonistaina by the pulmonologists Bobolas and Geroulanos. It is in a wonderful location, surrounded by pine trees and springs. If you are interested in looking at the sanatorium, turn onto the dirt road near the sign to Kokkinovrysi.

Valtesiniko
At 1150 m above sea level, Valtesiniko is one of the highest villages in Arcadia. Many of the houses were built by the famous Lagadia stonemasons or by local craftsmen. As always, they made sure their work was adapted to the terrain, and as the village is on a steep hillside many of the traditional houses here are three-story or higher.
Valtesiniko is a sizable village, and you can easily spend some time wandering round the streets and admiring the views. It’s not got any “stand out” attractions, so it’s not a tourist trap but time spent here can feel like stepping into an authentic Greece with a slower pace of life. You can stop for a coffee, have a look at the traditional water fountains and the tiled stone houses, visit some of the 10 churches, drop into the folklore museum and just take a deep breath and drink in the clear fresh mountain air. Keep an eye open for the Sali water fountain with its thermal spring water, and for Agios Georgios church with its octagonal dome weighing 145 tons! You might also find some traditional woodcarving to take home as a souvenir – after all Valtesiniko is known as the “village of the woodcarvers”.  The village owes this nickname to the local shepherds who, in the early 20th century, started to make and sell ladles, spoons and mugs. They then went on to carve some of the elaborate wood-carved iconostases which take pride of place in so many village churches in Arcadia and Messenia.
The oldest church in the village is of the Taxiarches which dates back to 1808. Agioi Theodoroi (1847) is also worth a visit. Just outside the village you can see the Monastery of the Dormition (Koimisis tis Theotokou) which was built in 1625 and has rare icons and frescoes, or the deserted Agios Nikolaos monastery which was built in the 9th and 14th century and is where the inhabitants took refuge when the village was under attack. 

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Sections 7 (from Magouliana) and 8 (towards Lagadia) of the menalontrail network pass through the village.

It is about 19 km from Vytina.

Location

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