Map & Location

Kastanitsa (Tsakonian: Gastenitsa, older name: Kastanitsa) is a mountainous village in Arcadia, built on the slopes of Mount Parnon at an altitude of 840 meters. It belongs to the Tsakonochoria, that is, the villages founded by Tsakonians. It is located near the borders of the prefectures of Arcadia and Laconia. It is 72 km from Tripoli and 65 km from Sparta. Kastanitsa is built on a narrow hill between two lush green ravines. It has approximately 250 whitewashed houses built with stones and covered with arched doors and windows, preserving the traditional Tsakonian architecture with the characteristic tower houses with roofs made of local slate. At the top of the northern hill above the settlement, ruins of the old tower, built by Byzantines of the Despotate of Mystras in the 14th century with the aim of fortifying the area, are preserved.

In 1967, the village was characterized by the Ministry of Culture by Presidential Decree as a traditional - preserved settlement with special natural and architectural beauty.

Since 1999 it has belonged administratively to the municipality of Northern Kynouria.