Lampeia, Ilia, Greece

Lampeia is a mountain village, a community and a former municipality in the north-eastern part of the prefecture of Elis (Ilia) in Peloponnese - West Greece.

Lampeia or Divri is one of the preeminent, historical and potential tourism destinations. Its distance from Patras is 79 kilometres south, nearly 42 kilometres north of Olympia and 93 kilometres northwest of Tripoli.

It is situated south of the river Erymanthos, in the valley of a tributary of this river. Its elevation is about 800 m above sea level. Its population is presently more than 500 (according to the latest census of 2011 - 517 residents).

Divri consists of different neighbourhoods. This is the reason why the houses are divided into districts; each of them has its own church and social life. 

The main neighbourhoods apart from the Market is ‘Pera Machalas’, ‘Croustades’, ‘Caryanades’ , ‘Lazarades’, ‘Vassilei, ‘Perdikarades’ and 'Mparpota' ('Amygdali') Their names, except maybe Pera Machala, probably come from the family names of the original settlers.

The visitor will definitely enjoy the walk away from the public road where not only the scenery is peaceful and pleasing, but also monuments, old houses and fountains will impress you.

Main Market

The good preserved stony buildings, the magnificent churches, schools, and a lot of fountains which are flowing under huge, very old plane trees are distinctive in this stunning village.

Monastery Chrysopigi

Of the most important monasteries of Ilia and Greece is that of the Holy Monastery of Panagia Chrysopigi in Upper Divri. The Monastery Chrysopigi Upper Divri, together with the Lower Monastery, are located just 60km away from the town of Pyrgos.

Located in a green hillside, the Lower Monastery is dedicated to Virgin Mary. ‘Kato Moni’ celebrates the Assumption on August 23. The temple has remarkable wood-carved iconostasis inscription that dates to the 18th century. The church is full of paintings of 1746.

Lampeia is famous for its fountains and the crystal, very cold, clear water gushing out of them. The three fountains - Gavrovikos, Morios and Kosmopoulos - that you come across when entering and leaving the village on the public road and the two - three newer ones in the market, but they are not the only ones – the entire village has over 100 fountains in total!

Over the last few years a traditional event takes place every summer in Lampeia, in which different Dance Groups of Cultural Groups take part, and attracts the attention of residents and visitors in the region.