Nestani

Nestani (Greek: Νεστάνη, before 1927: Τσιπιανά Tsipiana) is a village and a community in the municipal unit Mantineia, Arcadia, Greece. It is situated at the foot of the mountain Artemisio, at about 700 m elevation. It was the seat of the former municipality Mantineia. The community Nestani also contains the village of Milea. Nestani is 11 km east of Kapsas, 13 km southwest of Lyrkeia (Argolis) and 14 km northeast of Tripoli. The Moreas Motorway (Corinth - Tripoli) passes west of the village.

The monastery of Panagia Gorgoepikοos is situated on a hill immediately southeast of the village. The Holy Mother of God is venerated there, with a celebration on 15 August. The present building dates from 1740. It is now a nunnery.

Historical population

History

Nestani was named after the ancient settlement Nestane, that was situated at the same place. Ancient Nestane was a village in the territory of the town Mantineia.Philip II of Macedon was said to have made his camp there. The ruined acropolis of Nestani and a spring named after Philip II can still be found near the present village.