Greece 13: Agios Ioannis Prodromos

 

Used to be when I heard the word Arcadia I thought of an idealized rural landscape.  Shepherds with their flocks, etc.  

Well, the truth is: not so much.  It's rocky mountainous land and it was the only part of the Peloponnese where the trips between sites seemed to last forever.

And not just bus trips.  The most rigorous hike we took during our whole two weeks was down Lousios Valley to the Agios Ioannis Prodromos monastery.  (Fortunately, we didn't have to walk back up.)  It is something to see, hanging on the side of a cliff.  

It dates to the fifteenth century and is currently the home for about half a dozen monks.  The highlight is a tiny rock-carved chapel decorated with Byzantine murals.  I didn't think it would be respectful to take pictures in there.     

Modesty skirts to cover legs before you enter the monastery.

 

Next stop: Tegea