PARRHASIAN REGION
THE CRADLE OF THE PARRHASIANS,
 THE OLDEST GREEK TRIBE SINCE THE PELASGIAN ERA

The area in the Centre of the Peloponnese around Mt. Lykaeon stipulated in the map, includes parts of the prefectures of Arcadia, Messinia and Helis, isregarded as the cradle of the Parrhasians, the oldest tribe of the Arcadians. The name of the area and the tribe indicates that the place was near (Par) the mud (Hasia), remnants of the deluge that flooded the basin of Central Peloponnese, resulting in the creation of the coal deposits of the pre-cataclysm plant and animal remains buried for centuries in the water and the mud.
This area, according to written testimonies and the myths of antiquity, as well as by the finds of the archaeological excavations, was the oldest cradle of the Greeks since the Pelasgian era.
The region is abandoned with ancient cities and temples, medieval, Byzantine and modern era monuments; endowed with unique natural beauty sites and unspoiled nature; a place where the human existence created archetypes and templates remaining unchanged to the present day and having influenced the world. Some examples:
MOUNT LYCAEON: One of the oldest places of worship in the world. Legendary birthplace of Zeus, King of the gods of Olympus. Sacred peak of the Arcadians and sacrificial altar since the Pelasgian Era. The Lykaean Games (Lykaea) wewre the oldest athletic event of the Greeks, established in honour of Zeus and Pan four centuries before the Olympic Games in ancient Olympia. The original Stadium and the Hippodrome are stil, visible under the peak.
LYKOSOURA: Ancient city and according to Pausanias "the first city that saw the sunlight". According to the legend Pelasgos founded Lykosoura as the first city created by the the human race, after abandoning the protection of caves and forests.
TEMPLE OF EPIKOURIOS APOLLO: Ancient temple at Bassae (14 km from Andritsaena. Unique monument of ancient Greek architecture and sculpture that for the first time combined the three rhythms (Doric, Ionic and Corinthian). In the center of the cella was the column with the template of the Corinthian capital. Monument of UNESCO’s World Heritage List since 1986 (the first Greek monument in the list).
KARYTAENA: Frankish Medieval castle and important city (regarded as the Greek Toledo)
Beyond the material testimonies exists a rich intangible cultural heritage with primeval myths, stories, tales, traditions, songs, customs and culinary recipes. Features:
•    The legend the Warewolf at Mt. Lykaeon
•    The revival of ancient Lycaen Games (every four years)
•    Local festivals