Stemnitsa

Stemnitsa has been a favourite mountain getaway for quite some time. Here you are literally surrounded by nature as the village is built among 4 ravines. On top of that, many of the houses were built by the famous and skilled craftsmen from the village of Lagkadia, so it is little wonder that Stemnitsa is known as one of the most beautiful traditional villages in the Peloponnese. With the Folklore Museum, shops selling local products, tavernas, guesthouses and hotels, it has everything you need for a perfect mountain escape all year round.

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Stemnitsa has been a favourite mountain getaway for quite some time thanks to its stunning setting at the foot of the Klinitsa mountains. Here you are literally surrounded by nature as the village is built among 4 ravines filled with pine trees, plane trees, walnut trees and chestnut trees. On top of that, many of the houses were built by the famous and skilled craftsmen from the village of Lagkadia, so it is little wonder that Stemnitsa is known as one of the most beautiful traditional villages in the Peloponnese worth visiting all year round. 

When you go for a walk in Stemnitsa, take time to really breathe in the mountain air. Here you are 1100m above sea level. In the village, the pure mountain air mixes with the fragrance of woodsmoke from the fireplaces, and voices drift across the cobblestones. 

As you wander around, you will come across beautiful stone guesthouses, churches, impressive houses and fountains. Look out for the Roilos tower and the Bournazos mansion which are particularly impressive. There are also some notable churches in the village, such as 12th century Panagia Bafero, the 17th century Treis Ierarches and the 15th century Zoodochos Pigi. 

There are also tavernas, cafes, coffee bars, pastry shops, shops selling handmade jewellery and traditional local products. We suggest that you buy tutoumia (small hand-made pasta), trachanas (a special kind of pasta made from flour and milk), local honey, pastries, spoon suites and more. 

The villagers of Stemnitsa have been known as exceptional silversmiths for many centuries. They used to sell their handicrafts by travelling around the Turkish-occupied Balkans, but also as far afield as Russia and Italy. This traditional art is very much still alive in the village, thanks to the Stemnitsa School of Silver. 

The Folklore Museum
This beautiful museum was founded by Yiannis and Irini Savvopoulou in 1986 and is housed in a 18th century three-storey building. The aim of the museum is to preserve the rich folklore material of the region and to encourage research into folklore. It is divided into three sections: workshops, the interior of a traditional house and an exhibition of various objects. The museum showcases the arts and crafts that flourished in the village in addition to silver and goldsmithing - uch as weaving, icon painting, the art of the Karagiozis puppeteer. In 2022 it was closed due to works, so check before visiting. Tel. 27950 81252.
Have a look at the menalontrail path which links Stemnitsa with Dimitsana.

Did you know that

You can walk from Stemnitsa to the monastery of Zoodochos Pigi with its beautiful wood-carved iconostasis from 1805 and icons dating from the 16th century. The First Peloponnesian Senate met here in 1821.

Location

Find the destination on the interactive map below.