The region has been inhabited since the Palaeolithic Age. Remarkable events in the history of Achaia is the establishment of the Achaian Confederation, the spreading of christianism, the martyrdom of apostle Andreas in Patras. The region played a leading part in the Revolution of 1821. In the monastery of Aghia Lavra it was raised the flag of Revolution in 1821. A historical country town distinguished for its amazing natural beauty is Kalavryta, 77 km. southeast of Patras. During the Second World War Kalavryta was a target of the German occupation forces. In 1943 the Germans set on fire the houses and the churches while they executed all men. In the place of the sacrifice today there is a Monument of Executed persons. In the Museum of the Holocaust of Kalavryta you will see photos of the pre-war life in Kalavryta, objects saved from the burning of the town as well as personal objects of the executed ones. In a distance of 5 km. from Kalavryta it is situated the historical monastery of Aghia Lavra. It was set up in the 10th century, but the today’s edifice is dated back to 1950 being full of historical memories. In the monastery there are significant heirlooms as the flag of the Revolution, pierced by Turkish bullet, the sacred vestments of Palaeon Patron Germanos, the diamond-stuck Gospel as well as other ecclessiastical objects. The considerable library of the monastery includes 1.000 volumes of books and manuscripts of codices dated back to the 11th century. Near Kalavryta it is to be found the monastery of Megalo Spilaeo, built in 326 A.D. in an altitude of 924 metres. It has been destroyed four times, always however the Sacred Icon of Theotokos which according to the tradition was a work of Evangelist Lucas, has been saved. The ski centre of Helmos is in a distance of 15 km. from Kalavryta and is situated in the location "Vathia Lakka". In the major region of Kalavryta you can admire historical and archaeological sites as the Ancient Loussi and the castle of Oria, where it is said that Aekaterini Palaeologou committed suicide to avoid being caught by the Turks. From Diakofto it begins the deep ravine of the river Vouraikos continuing as far as Kalavryta. The rack-and-pinion railway is passing near it. The wild beauty of the ravine amazes the visitor. In the middle of the way Diakofto-Kalavryta, in a marvellous mountainous landscape it is situated the village Zachlorou crossed by the river Vouraikos. 30 km. from Kalavryta it is to be found Klitoria that in December 1943 was totally destroyed by the Germans. In a short distance they are saved buildings from the ancient city Klitor. In a fascinating landscape, 7 km. from Klitoria, there are the sources of the river Aroanios where there are trout, salmon hatcheries, while the sources of Ladonas are in a distance of 9 km. Very close it is situated Helonospilia, where it was effectuated the first revolutionary act against the Turks on 16 March 1821 as well as the vine of Pausanias, a climbing vineyard of 1.800 years old. In Klitoria it is in operation one of the three watermills of the region. The other two are in Planitero and in Pagrati. Near Klitoria, in Kastria, it is situated the Spilaeo Limnon (Cavern of Lakes), a rare and wonderful creation of nature with stepped lakes in three levels and original shapes of stalactites and stalagmites. Regarding the seasides of Achaia, it is a fascinating composition of lace like seashores and painted villages as Alyssos, 20 km. southwest of Patras, where you can enjoy swimming in marvelous very clean beaches.