Tripotama: Psophis and Paliókastro

Tripotama brings together the archaeological traces of the ancient city of Psophis, the Koímisi Monastery, and a hiking trail. It is also situated at the confluence of three rivers. If you are looking for hotels in Tripotama, you can shape your stay around different interests: history, river geography, or a walk. This gives you a way to explore the area through its historic sites as well as its location and hiking trail.

Tripotama at the Confluence

Tripotama lies at the confluence of the Erymanthos, Aroanios, and Seiraios rivers; downstream, the rivers join to form the Erymanthos. This sequence provides a specific geographical reference point for the location. The confluence offers a way to explore Tripotama’s geography, while Psophis and Paliókastro are the area’s historical highlights. The rivers and archaeological traces therefore offer different perspectives on Tripotama: its location by the water on the one hand, and the history of the ancient city on the other.

The Ancient City of Psophis

The ruins of the ancient city of Psophis and remnants of its city wall are visible mainly in the village, beside houses and on private property. The surviving wall remains were built using pseudo-isodomic masonry, incorporating polygonal sections. The remains can thus be described both by their setting in the village and by a specific feature of the wall. The wall remains in the village and the acropolis on Paliókastro are two different aspects of the ancient city.

Paliókastro and the Koímisi Monastery

The conical hill of Paliókastro was fortified and served as the acropolis of the ancient city of Psophis. The circuit wall and two towers can be seen on the acropolis. The larger of the two western towers survives to a height of up to 2 meters. The foundations of a church were excavated south of the towers. The location of the remains helps distinguish them: the circuit wall and towers belong to the acropolis, while the church foundations lie south of the towers.

At the foot of the hill stands the Koímisi Monastery, whose enclosure is designed like a fortification. The monastery was founded in 1825 and destroyed by Ibrahim in 1826. In the following decades, it was used again as a church and school; it was abandoned in the 19th century. Paliókastro and Koímisi differ in both their location and their history: the ancient acropolis stood on the hill, while the monastery at its foot has its own history.

The Hiking Trail to the Springs

The 1 km hiking trail begins next to the arched Erymanthos Bridge in Tripotama. It follows the riverbank, passes the recreation area and the Katriva spring, and ends at the Vasiliki spring. Katriva is along the way, while Vasiliki is the destination of the route described. In addition to its archaeological focus, the trail offers an opportunity to hike in its own right. If you plan to include it in your stay, check local conditions before setting out.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Dafni, Kalogria, Agia Eleousa, Kernitsa, Ano Zachlorou, Kalanistra, Selianítika, Patras

For the broader travel guide: Achaia.