Another important historical fact for Greece, of historical significance for the Peloponnese, is the first built city in the world. A city full of light, the first to face the sun, as Pausanias significantly mentions in "Arcadika".
The first city built in the world
Ancient Lycosoura is considered the oldest city in Arcadia (10,000 - 8,000 BC) and, as Pausanias mentions in "Arcadika", was the first city built in the world on the mainland and islands, the first to see the sun, which became the model for the founding of other cities thereafter.
It was founded by Lycaon, the ancestor of the Arcadians, and was the seat of the kings of Arcadia. The inhabitants gave the rest of the people the knowledge of how to build and fortify a city.
The sacred city of Arcadia in ancient times, was a city full of light, since it is located on Mount Lycaeus, which means bright, and dominates the Peloponnesian area offering a unique view.
Great archeological importance
Lykosoura was surrounded by a fortification that was built without much care, while its very steep slopes were fortified. The hill with the remains of this fortification of ancient Lykosoura was known as the "Paliokastro of Stala".
It was famous for the sanctuary of Despina, daughter of Poseidon and Demeter. It was a temple from the 4th century BC, in the Doric style with pronaos and nave. Inside was a colossal statue of Damophon of Messinia, a complex of Demeter, Despina, Artemis and Anytos, parts of which are now in the museum of Lykosoura, while the base of the statue is preserved inside the temple.
Besides this temple, there were temples of Athena, Panas, as well as other buildings (fountain, water tank, long gallery, mansion ), as can be seen in the excavations.
The archeological site of ancient Lykosoura is located in the southwestern part of Arcadia, on the eastern side of Mount Lycao, in a green and idyllic environment. It is 49 km away from Tripoli and 12 km away from Megalopolis.
It includes a temple, a forecourt, the "villa", a large portico, the remains of baths and the altars of Despina, Dimitra and Megali Mitros. The preserved ruins are from the 2nd century, e.g.
Within the archeological site is the palace of Despina, a beautiful altar, which was a sacred place where rituals and sacred sacrifices were performed. Within the archeological site is the Archeological Museum of Lykosoura. The excavations were carried out in 1903.
