Ξενοδοχείο Αφροδίτη, Αστρος Περιοχή

Astros is approx. 45 kms from Tripoli and is found in the richly vegetated (mostly with olives) plains of Thireas. There are two areas of Astros, the town of Astros which lies 4 kms from the beach and having 3500 inhabitants, and Paralio Astros which is on the coast with 1500 inhabitants. Astros is today the seat for one of the three municipalities of Kinorias, the Municipal of Northern Kinorias. The inland town of Astros owes its existence in a large part to the movement of residents of the mountainous villages of St. Ioannis, Upper Meligou, Lower Meligou and Kastri. Paralio Astros has an extensive and beautiful beach and is the most important seasonal resort of Arkadia which has enjoyed appreciable tourist and building growth in the last few years. It has a great deal of accommodation, restaurants, recreation centers and shops. Inland Astros has an intense presence left over from the Ottoman domination. In April 1823 it entertained the B National Assembly of Greeks. The assembly was held in the wild gardens of a place called Faculty Korysioti. The Faculty’s building is Neoclassical style and is preserved by special order. Today it houses the Archaeological Museum with its appreciable exhibits from the excavations of the area of Kynoria, mainly Herod Atticus’ Epavli and Elliniko.

In Paralio Astros there is a medieval castle towering over the harbour which forms a small peninsula in the shape of asteroids (the locals call it the “island”). This is also where the name of the town comes from. In later times the castle became a fantastic defence position, with it’s 4-sided ground plan and all-round visual advantages. In the 18^th century the three Zafeiropoulos brothers returned to their homeland to fight the Turks and built three dwellings within, which now stand in a state of semi-ruin. On the same hill are also examples of Classical period walls,
probably the Egyptians started to build them that had moved to the area, but left them half-finished. The view from the castle towards the Argolic Gulf is exceptional. The “island” constitutes the most graphic part of Astros with its traditional stone-built houses. At the end of the quay, which is situated under it, is a great spectator point in summer with its spectacular port which entertains crowds of sailors and ships. Astros goes back to the 2^nd century A.D.. In the area was the ancient city of Thyrea, one of the 4 cities of Kynoria (Thyrea, Anthini, Eva and Vrasies).3 kms from inland Astros in the area of Kynorias Eva and close to Doliana (on the Tripoli-Astros road) is Herod of Atticus’ Epavli. Exactly opposite lies the Metamorfosis Luke Monastery (from the 12^th century) which is built in the ancient temple of Polemokrati.