Vamvakos of Laconia in Parnonas, the place of origin of Stavros Niarchos is regenerated by the institution of the same name

It is built amphitheatrically in W. slopes of Parnon, NE. Sparta, at an altitude starting from 903 m. It belongs to Patent. Oinoudos of the Municipality of Sparti and you will arrive in 45' from Sparti (37 km), passing through the villages of Bresthena and Megali Vrysi, and 50' from Tripoli, from the villages of Karyes and Varvitsa.

Shipowner's place of origin Stavros Niarchos (by his father Spyros Niarchos, benefactor of Vamvakos), of its founder Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF). The SNF decided to upgrade Vamvakou, under the program "Revival of Cotton", thus giving new life to the village, https://www.vamvakourevival.org. Benefactors of the village were also Dolly (Catherine) Goulandris (Commander), its founder Cycladic Museum Art Athena's, and many of its members Commander's family, originally from the area.

COTTON – WHAT TO SEE

Central square, in the 1^The village level, to 903 m. with his statues Theodoret II (1787-1843), Bishop of Bresthenes, and the busts of benefactors like his Spyros Niarchos.
Church Ag. Charalambos – St. Panteleimon – Sleep of Mary (tribasic)
Clock Square-Profitis Ilias, in the 2^The village level. The Clock was built at the expense of the benefactors of the village

Primary school – V.Lab, renovated with the program "Revival of Cotton", https://www.vamvakourevival.org. It has a modern Engineering laboratory, where robotics seminars are held & 3D printing, Lecture Hall, gymnasium and place of employment for preschool children.
down Faucet, recreation area ideal for children, with taps and picnic tables.

COTTON – FOOD

«Voureiko», cafe - restaurant with Greek & Mediterranean cuisine. The old stone mansion of Vouros, with the impressive dome, renovated through the program "Cotton Revival", https://www.vamvakourevival.org.

Modern space with a beautiful interior hall and a large terrace overlooking the church. You will find freshly grilled and local foods and for dessert ask for homemade walnut pie with Vamvakous walnuts. Its products are sold in the restaurant Cotton Agricultural Cooperative, such as organic fir honey & of flowers, walnut crumbs Cotton and reed olives in a jar. Open : Monday, Thursday, Friday 10 a.m.- 11 p.m., SK 9 a.m. -11 p.m., tel. : 27310 27964, 27310 76233, https://www.rugaofvamvakou.gr.

Cafe at the square, open in the summer months and some SK in the winter.

COTTON - ACCOMMODATION

«Rouga of Vamvakos», stone guesthouse, renovated with the program "Cotton Revival" of SNF. Rouga means district, neighborhood, mahalas within the village. Luxury guest house that has 6 rooms with fireplace or stove and offers breakfast in the large courtyard, tel. : 27310 21900, https://www.rugaofvamvakou.gr, open all year round.
«Vamvakos Traditional Guest House» An old stone mansion that was also renovated with the program "Cotton Revival". features 8 rooms and a large living room with a fireplace, tel. : 27310 76233, https://www.vamvakourevival.org, all year.
Domna’s Guest House, above Clock Square. The neighborhood near Clock Square with the church of Prophet Ilias (Hey Lia), as seen from Domna’s House. Maisonette that has recently been converted into a smart home, has an energy fireplace, heat pump and its own parking. Reservations on tel. : 6972 763328 and through Airbnb (all year)

Magnolia, Airbnb accommodation Vamvakou is a small village that is constantly developing. It gathers many visitors, and because the accommodations are few you will have to book a room very early. There is also a parking problem and difficulty accessing the narrow streets, mainly the SK (leave the car at 1^The level and continue on foot).

VAMBAKOU – EVENTS

Festival of Saint Paraskevi (26/7) and St. Panteleimon (27/7), in the church of Vamvakos (double celebration). Traditional festival with live orchestra, dancing and eating.
Gastronomy Festival & Walnut Cottons, at the main square, the 3^The SC of October. Musical event that takes place on his initiative Cultural "Nea Zoi" Cotton Association. You will have the opportunity to buy local products from exhibitors and see up close the making of walnut sweets by the village women.
Cultural-musical events, all year, organized by Vamvakou Revival, https://www.vamvakourevival.org

COTTON – ACTIVITIES

Cycling shoes routes

Mountain biking on marked forest roads (green, blue, Orange), with different degrees of difficulty, for the entire family. Mountain bikes, HAIBIKE (for children over 12 years), you can rent in the village, information, tel. : 27310 76233, https://www.vamvakourevival.org.

Hiking excursions in "Cotton Trails".

The routes, length 25,5 km, were highlighted and signaled by the program "Cotton Revival". singles circular path (yellow path) : Vamvakou – Cave Monastery of Agia Kyriaki – Vamvakou. Great ride, in a forest with dense vegetation and next to a canyon. From the landscaped path you will reach its old castle monastery Agia Kyriaki, which dominates the rock, with the church of the same name in a cave. You can hike on your own (you will find maps in the village) or in groups for a fee, duration 3-3,5 hours, information : tel. : 27310 76233, https://www.vamvakourevival.org.

Climbing Mount Parnona (or Malevos), route :

Vamvakou (1.000 m.) – Parnonas Refuge "G. Papatheodorou" (1.420 m.) – great Tourla (1.935 m.). From the Vamvakou begins the marked path that leads to Parnonas Refuge "G. Papatheodorou", in place Arnomusga (1.420 m.), duration 2,5-3 hours. Source : http://www.eosspartis.gr

The Refuge fits 34 people, it has no electricity, has a stove, fireplace, kitchen, toilets and water from the Arnomousga natural spring (to 200 m.). For the adventurous, the hiking trail continues up to Great Tourla peak (1.935 m., the highest of Parnon), lasting approx 3 – 3,5 hours (collectively in consultation with EOS Spartis).

Information :

Vamvakou, tel. : 27310 76233, https://www.vamvakourevival.org
EOS Sparta, http://www.eosspartis.gr, tel. : 27310 22574 Archidamou 116, Sparta (for a stay at the Refuge, tel. : 6945 832701 Pan. Pappas).

THE Parnonas and the wider area (and the Vamvakou, belong to the Network NATURE 2000, in Special Zone Conservation (EZD) with code. GR 2520006 «Peaks of Mount Parnon and Malevi Monastery area», and in the regime Her protection Nature, due to the rare endemic flora.

Vamvakou Mountain Run, on July, on the slopes of Laconian Parnon, routes 28 km and 7 km, starting and ending at Vamvakou, information Vamvakou Revival, tel. : 27310 76233, https://www.vamvakourevival.org.
Activities for children, each SC, in elementary school. Ceramics lessons, toy constructions, Lego etc, information : https://www.vamvakourevival.org.

SHORT DISTANCES

Varvitsa (old name Barbitsa), 40Km NE. Sparta, at an altitude of 1.060 m. – 1.200 m., it is considered the highest village of Parnon. It belongs to Patent. Oinountos of the Municipality of Sparta and is located between the villages of Karyes and Vamvakos (6 km from Vamvakou). in Captain Zacharias square you will see his statue Zacharias A barbeque (1759 -1804), thief of the region during the Turkish occupation. There are in Varvitsa 2 hostels that you can use if you cannot find free accommodation in Vamvakou.