Aria combines sweeping landscape views with several layers of sacred architectural history. From here, the view extends across almost half of the Argolida Plain. In the village, the central Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and the Church of Saint Vasilios, the patron saint, are notable cultural landmarks; Byzantine and historical associations can also be found in the area and nearby.

Landscape and Village Scene

The view across the plain gives Aria a broad landscape vantage point. It offers a different perspective from the individual churches: while the view looks out over the Argolida Plain, the form, materials and dates of the buildings tell the stories of specific sacred structures. Visitors who want to consider both landscape and culture when choosing a destination can weigh these perspectives separately. This makes it possible to understand Aria not only through individual buildings, but also through the breadth of the view.

Churches and Their Historical Layers

The central Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary was built in 1866 over an older Early Christian-Byzantine church. The site therefore brings together two historical layers: the earlier predecessor building and the construction of 1866. Another date relates to the marble templon, which was built in 1893. A templon is a screen in a church interior; in the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, this adds both a material and a distinct date of construction to the building’s history. Those interested in architecture can distinguish between the history of the site, the church building of 1866 and the templon built later.

The Church of Saint Vasilios, Aria’s patron saint, stands on Magoula Hill north of the village and is a small basilica with a flat roof. Here, the location and form take center stage; by contrast, the history of the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary is chiefly revealed through its construction sequence and marble templon. The Holy Monastery of Aria is also located in the area and is a well-preserved example of a Byzantine church from the mid-12th century. It is in the surrounding area, not in the village itself. Its date adds a medieval point of reference outside the village to the comparison.

Historical Associations Nearby

Another historical point of interest is the monument to artillery lieutenant Sp Diovouniotis. It stands near the place where he died and the old spring. Unlike the churches, whose details relate to their form or construction history, the monument links a person to specific places. The spring at Aria, in turn, is associated with ancient mythology: many authors link it to the ancient spring of Kanathos, where Hera, according to mythology, bathed and regained her virginity. Thus, alongside the dated buildings, there is also a traditional interpretation connecting Aria with the story of Hera.

Bourtzi is another nearby landmark: it is visible from Aria and protected the harbor of Nafplio. Its visibility connects the landscape view with the history of the harbor, but it remains a nearby point of interest rather than a sight within the village itself.

Discover more destinations: Porto Cheli, Akti Idras, Nea Kios, Thermisia, Aghios Emilianos, Vivari, Asini, Epidavros

For the broader travel guide: Argolis.