Kalavryta town offers a world of experiences, and touring the area will provide you with:
An insight into its recent history: in 1943, the German occupying troops murdered 1500 male locals above the age of 14 and turned the town into ashes in retaliation to a defeat they suffered in battle with Greek Resistance guerillas. To commemorate this tragic event, a Monument with a huge Cross was raised at the location of the execution, in honour of those gunned down; the Municipal Museum of Kalavryta Holocaust was also built to preserve that memory.
An insight into its older history: within a 5km distance from Kalavryta, make a point of visiting Agia Lavra Monastery. According to records, it was built in the 10th c. and it played a vital role during the outbreak of the 1821 Greek War of Independence. Visit also the imposing Megalo Spilaio Monastery [Great Cavern Monastery], considered to be the oldest one in Greece. The cavern mouth gapes in the practically perpendicular 120m. high rock face, above the steep Vouraikos River ravine.
Lovely views and a chance to discover a wonder of nature: the Cave of the Lakes at the foot of Mt Chelmos. Feast your eyes on the incredible stalactite and stalagmite formations that excite the imagination and explore the cave’s unique 13 lakes and cascading waters arranged in three levels.
Action-filled holidays: winter sports fans can visit the Chelmos ski centre where there are 12 pistes, 7 lifts, a snowboard park, a mogul field, and a fantastic snow tubing park; quite a few parties and events also take place there.
Yet more action-packed holidays: Go hiking along the E4 European trail (from Kalavryta to Kato Lousous – Planitero – Arbouna – Agios Nikolaos – Tourlada – Krinofyta), downclimbing Vouraikos Gorge, mountaineering on Mt. Chelmos, climbing, off-roading towards LakeTsivlou , mountain biking and parapenting.
