Twenty seven villages and communities constitute the Municipality
of Irea with the districts of Agios Ioanis, Arahova, Kakoureika, Kokinorahi, Kokoras,
Liodora, Lutra of Irea and Likouresi, Lisarea, Ochthia, Paluba, which is the administrative
centre, Pirris, Rafti, Sarakini of Irea, Servo, Chrisohori and Psari. The Municipality
is seated in the Prefecture of Arcadia, and holds and area of 144082 square meters.
Population: 3059 citizens (according to the 2001 cesnus).
The village of Palouba, the seat of the municipality, is the starting
point for tours around the other villages, while visitors may seize the opportunity
of tasting traditional foods and relishes at its coffeehouses and restaurants.
The road to Zatuna and Dimitsana passes through the picturesque large village
of Rafti, where there is a traditional hostel and three restaurants still in operation,
while the picturesque country church of Taxiarhes (Archangels) attracts our attention.
Agalo is situated close the Rafti, with its picturesque stone-built houses and
its high quality dairy products. Three km away from Raftis there is Arachova,
where the picturesque villages of Kokoras and Kakoureirka, the church of Agiow
Athanasios of Christianoupoli, the "Cave of Lagaftis" and the remains of Aga's
Tower House are unfolded before our eyes down the valley of Irea. The village
of Palouba is the starting point of a marvelous route to the village of Sarakini,
where a visit to the community office with the excellent folk collection, is worthwhile.
In close proximity to Sarakini there is Lisarea; one road from there leads to Ochthia, a village with a lovely view, while the other one lead to Kokinorahi. Moving on from Ochthia, we pass through Liodora, where it's worth having a rest enjoying the traditional raki. One of the major villages of the Municipality of Irea is the one of Servo; it is amphitheatrically built, surrounded by lush vegetation, with many interesting folk heirlooms. The church of Zoodochos Pigi (lifi-giving spring), the church of the Panagia (Virgin Mary), "tou papa to lithari" ("the stone of the priest") next to the church of Agia Paraskevi (St Paraskevi), "o Soros tis Grias" ("the corpse of the old woman") with the ancient tomb and the house of the chieftain Daras in the village are all of special interest; coffee-shops and taverns are open throughout the year.
From Servos, the road leads to Likouresi and Psari, two picturesque
villages ideal for tranquil walks. Moving on from Servos, we meet the marvelous
canyon of Gura coming down to the village of Kokinorahi (red slope). One of the
main characteristics of the municipality of Irea is its exquisite mineral water
springs situated in the village of Lutra Ireas (Spas of Irea) and consisting of
twenty luxurious cabins and bathtubs; they are considered to be the best in Greece
marked out for their healing properties (tel. 0970 25000). Inside the village
there are coffee-shops and taverns that are opened throughout the year.
Moving on from the Spas of Irea, the road leads to the villages of
Loti and Agios Ioannis. The ancient Irea was once situated in this area, whose
remains are nowadays scattered all over. All the villages of the Municipality
of Irea offer a unique opportunity of experiencing splendid moments of beauty;
also the visitor should by no means fail to taste their wine and local raki, their
cheeses and frumenty, all of which are traditional products of the Municipality.
