FROM PATRAS VIA OLYMPIAPhotographs FROM ANDRITSAINA About half an hour 25 kilometres
- To get to The Ark in Ancient Phigaleia from Andritsaina you need to take the road signposted to the 'Temple of Apollo Epicurius' (13 km)u.
- If you approach Andritsaina from Olympia in the north, this road will be directly in front of you.
- If you approach Andritsaina from the east, drive right through the town until you reach the medical centre and supermarket, then turn left.
- The road twists and turns as it climbs uphill until you reach a junction.
- Turn left following the sign to the 'Temple of Epicurean Apollo'v. The road to the right goes to Linistena.
- Watch out for large herds of goats in the road, otherwise simply enjoy a meandering drive through spectacular mountain scenery.
- After a few kilometres you will see a large blue road sign directing all traffic left. Underneath is a brown signw indicating that the archaeological site of 'Epikoureios Apollonas' (Temple of Apollo) is straight on.
- The actual junction is 20 metres further on, where a blue signx covered in graffiti says 'Dragogi' (12 km) and 'Skliros' (3 km) are straight on.
- Follow these signs southwest towards Dragogi until you reach the templey on your right. Park up for a peak inside the tent and a walk to the temples of Aphrodite and Artemis. This is quite strenuous but the view is stunning.
- When you leave the temple continue onwards to Ancient Phigaleia, signposted as 'Figaleia', 13 kilometres away (Tholo is 46 kilometres)z.
- You will pass a turning on your left to Dragogi and then an archeological site on your right. This is a place where ancient Greeks heated spring water for bathing by channelling its flow over large rocks warmed by the sun.
- Eventually you will reach Perivolia where you need to make a very sharp left hand turn. This route is signposted to 'Figalia' (3 km) but you will only be able to see the back of this signpost as you approach Perivola.
- You will see a blue sign{ mounted on a giant plane tree close to a church. In Greek it directs you towards the 'Neda waterfalls' (5 km). Ancient Phigaleia is on the southern flank of the Neda gorge with good access to the falls.
- Follow this sign to the left, past a yellow public telephone and two stone fountains and continue through Perivolia until you reach Ancient Phigaleia.
- You will know when you are approaching the village because the road changes from tarmac to crazy paving.
- Continue on the crazy paved road - following the brown archaeological sign| to the 'Ancient Fountainhouse' - as it swings left past two large stone houses on your right, then a fountain and a taverna on your left.
- Keep going and you will see a graveyard on your left followed by a church.
- Opposite the steps to the church, there are two driveways; the first leads to The Ark where you will be staying, the second to the "Kantina" ('village hall').
- Turn into the Kantina grounds as this is the best place to park on arrival.
- If you get as far as the ancient fountain house shaded by a huge plane tree, you have gone too far!
