Dimitsana Public Historical Library

The Historical Spiritual Treasury of Gortynia with the Relics of 1821 The Folklore Collection of Dimitsana (which is permanently housed and operates within the imposing building of the Public Historical Library of Dimitsana) is one of the most important, authentic and timeless cultural destinations of Mountainous Arcadia. It is located in the heart of the Peloponnese, in a privileged location in the center of the traditional settlement of Dimitsana, housed in the historic stone building of the old Greek School (founded in 1764). The great advantage of the space is that it combines the oldest library in Greece with rare historical ethnological relics and objects of popular life, offering an ideal environment for exploring the history of Gortynia.

• Exhibition type: A concentrated, valuable collection that develops alongside the library's 35,000 rare volumes and manuscript codices. The tour combines objects of traditional folk art (woven fabrics, embroidery, bronze and wooden utensils for everyday use) with priceless national treasures, such as the authentic brass urn with the bones of Germanos of Old Patras and the historic saddle of Papaflessas' horse.
• Suitable for: Families, students, folklore enthusiasts and travelers seeking a meaningful contact with the spiritual heritage of the place. The area is traditionally famous for its historical and revolutionary character, as the Dimitsana School was the spiritual nursery of the Revolution, while its books were even used as paper for the manufacture of cartridges (gunpowder) in the powder mills of the area.
• Infrastructure: Very well organized, operating as a public cultural institution. The space has specialized staff who undertake the information and tour of visitors, a reading room, as well as infrastructure for researchers.
• Access: Very easy, fast and picturesque. The journey from Athens takes approximately 2 hours via the Corinth - Tripoli highway (direction Stemnitsa/Dimitsana). Because the building is located in the core of the traditional settlement, the approach is on foot through the paved cobblestone streets of Dimitsana, offering a beautiful hiking route.