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Tripoli
is the capitol of the prefecture of Arcadia. Built on an elevation
of 665 meters in a basin surrounded by the mountain ranges Menalon
1981m, Aremisio1772m, Parnona 1935m and other smaller mountains.
The population of the city is 22,463 in addition to another 3,969
people that live in the outskirts of the city. The city is a center
of the Peloponnese in transportation, administration and culture.
The city's geographical position in the center of the Peloponnese
makes it ideal for accessing all regions easily for business and
pleasure. Tripoli and Arcadia are not tourist destinations with
great heritage and areas of extreme beauty.
The 166klm from Athens are made pleasant via an excellent national
road that climbs through the artemision mountain actually going
through a mountain tunnel of 1600 m. The journey is safe and comfortable
and takes about one and a half hours.The city is beautiful with
well kept parks, pedestrian streets in the old center and many
neoclassical structures that withstood the destruction caused
by Ibrhim in 1825. Today it is a modern city that is ever expanding.
The Municipal courthouse has a special place in the city. Before
it unfolds the main Areos Square that is proud to have the statue
of Theodoros Kolokotronis leader of the Greek forces in the revolution
of 1821. All around a lush green park offers shade and recreation.
Areos Square is home to many cultural events, walks and recreation,
coffee, food and a place for children to play. All this in a calm
environment away from the noise of the bigger cities. Walking
through the pedestrian Kalavriton street we come across the other
pedestrian streets of the city where many of the cafes and bars
are located. This is where the young people of the city meet.
The circular square of st Basiliou is the center of town and where
the 4 major streets of the city intersect.
Nafpliou st which leads to the National rd Kalamon st which leads
towards Megalopoli, Kalavriton which leads to Olymbia and Vitina
and Ethnomartiron leading to the Panarcadian Hospital and the
Menalon villages of Stemnitsa-Aalonistena.
From the square of st Basiliou towards Kalamon after 200 m we
come to Baltetsiou square where every Saturday a large farmer's
market takes place with very good quality local products are sold
by local growers. A few meters from st Basil square, in a beautiful
neoclassical building, is the War Museum.
On the outskirts of the city next to a large pine forest is the
Panarcadian Hospital. The major benefactors of the Panarcadian
Hospital are the Greeks who live abroad. After the Pan Arcadian
Hospital the road continues through a beautiful pine forest on
the way to the historical villages of Alonistena, Libovisi, Dimitsana,
Stemnitsa, Chrisovitsi…
Returning again to the center of town near the st Bail square
is the Archaeological museum of Tripoli. Housed in a wonderful
Neoclassical building it is one of the best museums in all of
Greece not only for its artifacts but also for its organization.
Reference texts, floor plans to many sites, and photos from digs,
as well as artifacts from tha Ancient Arcadian Civiliation are
all a testament to the work of director Dr. Th. Spiropoulos.
Between the squares of st Basil and Kolokotronis is another neoclassical
building which used to house the Girls' School . Today it is home
to the Municipal Library with over 20,000 volumes of text.
Following Kalavriton rd. which leads to the beautiful village
of Livedioiu , on the edge of town is the Athletic center with
facilities for track & field, basketball, tennis, swimming
and gymnastics.After the Athletic center turning left on Kalvriton
Rd. is the wonderful park of St Georgiou . There is a playground,
a cafe , zoo, and plenty of space for walking, playing, and sport.
Also during the summer months on the same site, the open air theater
is home to many performances and happenings organized by the Artistic
Acts Center.
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