The earthly bliss of Arcadia has exerted, over the centuries, an immense charm on Western European civilization. Its rich and multifaceted history, natural beauty, and the idyllic life of its inhabitants gave birth to the “Arcadian Myth,” which became a source of inspiration for major figures of intellect and the arts in Europe. Emblematic figures of world painting (Guercino, Poussin etc.), painted Arcadian themes, attributing to Arcadia mystical dimensions related to human existence. They often created artworks in which the serenity of its bucolic landscapes prevailed. In more recent times, many artists have sought to explore the secrets of both the mythical and the real Arcadia. Additionally, several painters and sculptors who were born or came from Arcadia distinguished themselves with their important artistic work, such as Ioannis Kossos(Tripoli), Giorgos Roilos (Stemnitsa), Nestor Varveris (Leonidio), Giorgos Bouzianis (Bouzianeika Tega), Yiannis Tsarouchis (Zevgolatio), Georgia Vasileiou (Tripoli), Yiannis Gaitis (Doliana), Dimitris Talaganis (Tripoli), Apostolos Gagiannos (Tripoli), Giorgos Rorris (Kosmas), Nikos Floros (Tripoli), and many others.

Reflecting on that happiness of ancient Arcadia and the artists inspired by it, the art lover from Tripoli, Philippos Tsichritzis, bequeathed in 1999 a central building to the Municipality of Tripolis, with the condition that the Municipal Gallery be housed in it. The building, which has been designated as a listed monument, is considered one of the notable examples of urban architecture from the era of neoclassicism and is believed to have been designed by the distinguished architect Stamatis Kleanthis. The architecture of the structure, the morphological units on the façade, and the painted decoration of the building (ceiling paintings) place its construction in the last two decades of the 19th century.

The Municipality of Tripolis, fulfilling the wish of the donor, completed and handed over to the city’s art-loving public the Tripolis Municipal Gallery “Ph. Tsichritzis” in September 2015. With the conviction that the Gallery will become an important hub for Arts and Literature, as well as a vibrant cultural center that will evolve with society, preserving and reminding us of all those elements that make up the city of Tripolis and the region of Arcadia.