A vast plane tree casts its shade over the main square. Romantic and calm , like a medieval lady. An old school building houses Andritsena's celebrated library containing rare editions from 1500 and later. Just a bit outside town lies the ruined 13th century monastery of Isova . The road continues on up the mountain to Bassae .
Greenery gradually gives way to rock, massive peaks and a few scrawny shrubs.
Amidst this tangled wilderness the temple of Apollo Epikourios , is a surprising sight. Designed by Iktinos , architect of the Parthenon , it was built in 420 BC, on the foundations of an older temple, by residents of the neighboring settlement of Figalia . It was dedicated to Apollo , in thanks for the god's delivering them from an epidemic. From here, a dirt road will take you to Figalia , a tiny mountain village, surrounded by olive and orange trees, and boasting the ruins of a temple left over from the ancient Arcadian city of the same name. Next comes Lepreo .