At the northeast side of Kastri you will find the canyon of Tanos river. The monastery of St. John the Baptist is built on a steep cliff, probably in the 12th century. Due to its inaccessible position, it was used during the war of 1821 as a base of operations against Ibrahim and as a shelter during the raids. The watermill that can be found there used to grind gunpowder at that time. Ibrahim and his troops sieged the monastery twice without success.

This is a traditional village overlooking the slopes of Mainalon. The landscape is absolutely breathtaking as the mountain embraces the stone houses of Stemnitsa and the castle reminds the visitors of the history that took place here. Stemnitsa is a continuation of Ipsous village as mentioned by Pausanias and it appears that the conditions were such that the village continued its course through time despite the riots, revolutions and difficulties. Stemnitsa was also the first capital of Greece during the Greek Revolution and provided the country with supplies as well as brave fighters.

This is one of the most important villages of Gortynia due to its history, natural beauty and cultural activities. The landscape of Dimitsana is breathtaking; four-storey buildings built on the cliff and lots of greenery everywhere in the village. As a traveler, you will enjoy the nice cafeterias, excellent guesthouses and traditional taverns. Walking in the cobblestone roads and alleys can be tiring as most of them have an uphill inclination, but the journey through history will reward your senses. The library is well worth the visit.