Karytaina is a village and a community in Arcadia. Karytaina is situated on a hill on the right bank of the river Alpheios, near its confluence with the Lousios. Karytaina is 54 km (34 mi) from the capital of Arcadia, Tripoli, 20 km (12 mi) from Megalopoli and 17 km (11 mi) from Stemnitsa, built on the slopes of the hill of Achreiovouni, some 550 m above sea level. The village dates back to the Middle Ages, but its history is unknown before the Crusader conquest ca. 1205. Karytaina became the seat of a barony under the Frankish Principality of Achaea, and the Castle of Karytaina was built in the mid-13th century on a steep rocky outcrop by Baron Geoffrey of Briel. The area returned to Byzantine control in 1320, and came under Ottoman control in 1460. After a brief period of Venetian rule (1687–1715), Karytaina returned to Ottoman control, and prospered as an administrative and commercial centre. Karytaina and its inhabitants were among the first to rise up during the Greek War of Independence of 1821–29. Today Karytaina is a protected traditional settlement and has, alongside the remains of its Frankish castle, several other medieval and Ottoman monuments.
Κarytaina has been listed as a protected traditional settlement. Its unique townscape has earned Karytaina the moniker of the “Greek Toledo“, and was depicted on the reverse of the Greek 5000 drachmas banknote in 1984–2001. The main sight is the 13th-century Frankish castle, built at the top of the hill, with its highest point rising above the town. It consists of a triangular circuit wall, over 110 m in the long sides and ca. 40 m at its base, and a central structure which served as the barons’ residence, built above the castle cistern. The castle was repaired by Kolokotronis, who erected a small church dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and built his house outside the walls.
Also to the Frankish period, but repaired by the Byzantine lord Raoul Manuel Melikes in 1439/40, dates the 50 m long bridge that crosses the Alpheios over five arches. The town also has several churches, of which the most notable are the cathedral of the Annunciation, built in 1878; the 11th-century Church of St. Nicholas; the 15th-century Church of the Life-giving Spring, distinguished by its tall bell-tower; the church of St. Athanasios, at the entrance of the town, dedicated to Karytaina’s patron saint, who was the bishop of the city in the early 18th century. Further landmarks also include ruins of Byzantine-era towers and of a Turkish bath, and the large Kavia cave. Karytaina hosts several events in August, most notably the annual Women’s Bazaar. Nearby sights include the Lousios Gorge. Apart from its natural beauty, which includes the Vrontou waterfall, the gorge is also notable as the “Mount Athos of the Peloponnese” on account of the many monasteries that dot its walls.
