LEISURELY WALKSPhotographs ATHENA TEMPLE WALK 1 hour
- Starting from The Ark, this walk begins with a stroll through the village to the western edge as if you were approaching the village from Perivola. This point is marked by a white marble bench.
- Here you can sit and admire the stone fortificationsu that once surrounded the ancient city and, it might be, that you do not wish to venture further.
- The next stage of the walk involves following the dirt roadv to Kato Rouga ('lower village') before turning onto the crazy paved road to the waterfallsw.
- Although this road is a bit steep, there are attractions worthy of a stop including a stone wine pressing cistern where Phigaleians still release the juice from their grapes by treading on them and a stone circle previously used by farmers to thresh wheat or barley using donkeys.
- Not far beyond the stone circle is the track to Kourdoubouli, a grassy, flower filled hillock where the remains of the temple sit. En route is a vantage point where you can admire the tableau of the villagex.
- The templey, dedicated to Athena and Zeus the Saviour, is a perfect place to relax - just sit on the ancient stones and soak in the atmosphere.
- Or, if you are adventurous, explore the chasm in the rock beneath the temple. Myth has it that the Pythia, known as the Oracle of Delphi, delivered oracles in a frenzied state induced by vapours rising from such a chasm.
- Then, as the sun sets, walk a little further to the southern summit of the Neda gorgez for a remarkable view of the Ionian Sea. Do not be put off by branches blocking the gate - these are to stop sheep reaching the cliff edge!
- For your return journey, you can retrace your steps - stopping off at the taverna - or follow the old village path back to The Ark.
xView the tableau of the modern day village
y... surrounded by the walls of the ancient city