Andritsaina is a medieval town, built at 760 m of altitude in the foothills of Lykaion mountain, while its first records as a settlement date approximately from 900 AD. Its name comes from the beautiful widow of Andrikos Mourmouris, Antrikaina (or Andritsaina as it is pronounced in the local accent), who owned a “hani”, an inn for travellers to rest, (“Hani tis Andritsainas”), around which the first neighbourhood of Andritsaina was built, Mourmoureika, where the “Trani Vrysi” fountain is now located. Eventually (by the Frankish-Venetian rule period) the neighbourhood expanded and became a small town, which at its peak included about 20 neighbourhoods.
In 1800, Andritsaina was an important “hora”, a county seat, with many buildings, workshops and commercial activities. It played an important role both during the Orlov revolt, paying a high price in sacrifices and during the Greek Revolution. In fact, in 1826, the town was destroyed (burned) by Ibrahim’s troops.
During the interwar period (1924 – 1940) Andritsaina developed great commercial, intellectual and tourism activities (thanks to its proximity to the temple of Apollo Epicurius), which continued after the end of World War II for several decades. This is evidenced by: the operation of the Primary and the Hellenic Schools first and then the Secondary (Gymnasion) and High (Lykeion) Schools, the Nikolopoulios Library in the north-east wing of the School, the Vocational Schools (teaching Carpet-making, Cheese-making, Sewing, Dancing, Olive Tree Pruning and Grafting), the existence of various shops and businesses, local newspapers, associations and clubs, the implementation of several Public Services. The most important trade event in the region was Andritsaina’s fair, reaching its peak in the 1950s.
Nowadays, the town is the historic seat of the municipality of Andritsaina-Krestena, while it was formerly the seat of the Kapodistrian municipality of Andritsaina. It will enchant you with its stone mansions, cobbled streets and the central square with its tall trees and magnificent views.
SIGHTSEEING IN ANDRITSAINA
Public Historical Library of Andritsaina (see Historical data)
Historical High School of Andritsaina
In 1875, the erection of the School of Andritsaina began in a plot offered by Nikolis Mpampadimos, designed by Miltiades Kanellopoulos – Engineer and Professor of the Military Academy – in a U-shape, open on the north-eastern side. The necessary funds came from a nationwide fund-raiser and a donation by Angelos Giannikesis, Consul of Greece in Trieste. The building was inaugurated in 1879. The School building housed the Primary School on the ground floor, the Hellenic School on the first floor and the Nikolopoulios Library in the west wing of the first floor. Among the first Secondary Schools in Greece, the Gymnasion was founded in 1882 and started operating in 1889 (1st Grade).
The NE wing was built in 1932, as an annex to form the building as we know it currently.
Folklore Museum of Andritsaina
The Folklore Museum of Andritsaina was established in 1981 on the initiative of the “Women’s Cultural Association”. The Association’s initiative was reinforced by the immediate response of Andritsaina residents, who gathered and offered remarkable traditional artefacts. The Museum was originally housed in the home of Vangelis Theocharis (next to the OTE building) and then in the Kanellopoulos mansion, offered by Galini Kanellopoulou for this purpose.
Stone buildings – Paved streets
Churches – Chapels
Fountains-Theatre
