The Archaeological Museum of Tegea houses ancient Greek treasures of immense beauty, which are presented in a masterful way. Amongst the exhibits, the head of Asclepius, a marble relief of Pan, thrones of the Kings and carved marble plates with scenes depicting heroes and demigods. In Tegea stood a temple dedicated to Athena Alea, built by the sculptor and architect Scopas from the Island of Paros. Many of his important works are on display at the museum. Tegea had a population of 40,000, a parliament of 300 men and its own currency. The founder of Paphos, King Agapenor was born there, as was the mythical Pan. Next to the museum there is an imposing outdoor archaeological site. Photographs capture very little of the magical vibes this museum emits.

Next to the ancient Greek theater of Mantineia is located Saint Fotini, built by the Arcadian architect Costas Papatheodorou. It is a building that combines ancient Greek and Christian influences, which built stone-by-stone, painted and decorated on its own from 1970-75, with the help of a few unskilled workers. The stones and marbles were collected from the demolished buildings, barrows and sheets of the Arcadian plateau and were processed one by one with almost primitive tools. He then built an ancient Heron outside the temple, in honor of the Arcadians who fought for their homeland and a Jacobite Freer, symbolizing Jesus' meeting with Samaritan. He painted the interior of the church giving the saints modern human figures and made mosaics on the floors with representations of ancient Greek mythology that are adorned with Christian doctrines. Many great names in art were flattered about his work, but many also strongly disputed it. The official Orthodox Church accepted it, but without objection. The architect as a true faithful Christian has so far defended his work modestly. Although he studied at major universities in Vienna and Berlin next to world-class teachers, he remains a very gentle and modest personality. Saint Fotini owes its existence not only to him, but also to the enlightened minds of the Mantinian League, who commissioned it to build and support to the end his revolutionary architectural innovations. TEXT-PHOTOS: GEORGE ZAFEIROPOULOS, SOURCE: www.greecewithin.com