City (pop., 2001: 28,976), southern Greece, the commercial centre of the central Peloponnese .
It was founded in the 14th century AD as Drobolitza to replace the ancient cities of Pallantium, Tegea , and Mantinea . Rebuilt in 1770, it became the seat of the local Ottoman pasha. The city prospered until 1828, when it was destroyed in the War of Greek Independence . It was rebuilt after 1834.