Feneos History in Greece

And those that held Arcadia, under the high mountain of Cyllene, near the tomb of Aepytus, where the people fight hand to hand; the men of Pheneus also, and Orchomenus rich in flocks; of Rhipae, Stratie, and bleak Enispe; of Tegea and fair Mantinea; of Stymphelus and Parrhasia; of these King Agapenor son of Ancaeus was commander, and they had sixty ships. Many Arcadians, good soldiers, came in each one of them, but Agamemnon found them the ships in which to cross the sea, for they were not a people that occupied their business upon the waters. (The Iliad By Homer - Written 800 B.C.E - Translated by Samuel Butler)

Feneos Plateau is of triangular shape, crowned by densely pine-tree wooded mountains, and it borders on the Prefectures of Achaia to the west and Arkadia to the south.

This plateau, of great aesthetic and ecological value, could not help being burdened with many myths and traditions. The Olvios and Doxa Rivers brought their water into the plain, but, with no way out, a seasonal lake was formed. Excess water was decanted through Carstic holes at the foot of the neighboring Saitas Mountain. These holes were believed to have been opened by Hercules; other myths describe them as entrances to Hades.

The first settlement at Feneos was established by Pelasgi and later, around 1900 B.C., it was inhabited by Arcadians. The Mycenaean center of Feneos (Pheneus) was established by the Achaeans in 1500 B.C., who, under the leadership of the Arcadian King Agathinor, participated in the Trojan War with 60 warriors. (See intro). They had no ships, but they were offered seats onboard the ships of Agamemnon.

The monastery of Saint George the Victorious is located near the ancient city of Feneos, close to the villages of Panorma and Calivia, past the Lake of Stymfalia, 2100 meters above sea level. It was established in the 14th century and renovated in 1754.

The monastery offered great services in the great War of Independence in 1821 and became the center of rebellious events. The Secret School, which functioned in the monastery and which is still pretty well preserved, was the secret meeting point for war chiefs with General Theodor Kolokotronis.

The church of St Georgios is a single-domed basilica decorated with fine frescoes. Of special importance is the iconostasis inside the church; an elaborate wood carved piece of Art, gold-plated and full of scenes derived from the Old Testament.

Since 1998, it has a view over the new artificial Feneos (Doxa) Lake (see relevant Album).