How to reach Voidomatis springs

The springs are located at the beginning of the trail that starts from the village of Vikos and ends in the village of Monodendri. The hiking route we recommend to reach them begins at the village of Vikos, starting at the traditional fountain at the entrance of the village. As we walk, a magical landscape unfolds before us, with lush greenery and wild beauty.

The intense geological processes over millions of years have shaped this gorge of stunning beauty. To the left, the sheer cliffs of Tymfi, and to the right, Stouros offer impressive views.

After about 45 minutes of descent, we reach the location of the springs, a magical landscape. Beneath the enlarged rock called “Agkastromeni” lie the main springs of the Voidomatis.

Right next to them is the stone-built chapel of the Monastery of Panagia of Vikos, which was built in 1783.

<p>The post Hiking to Voidomatis springs: A unique experience in Vikos gorge first appeared on Epirus Explorer.</p>

According to myth, a dragon lived in this lake and constantly clashed with another dragon living in Lake Smolikas.

It is said that Ali Pasha attempted to ascend to the lake, but a summer storm thwarted his plan.

Research shows that the lake’s depth does not exceed 5 meters. In its waters lives the alpine newt, a rare amphibian species protected by Greek and European law.

The trail to the refuge follows a well-formed path and passes through the springs of Avragonia, Antalki, Trafo, and Krouna.

Usually, the first three have water, and the pavilions provide short rest stops. Along the route, you can see the impressive cliffs of the Towers of Papigo (or Astraka) to your right. In about three hours, you reach the refuge

At the location “Radovoli,” above the plateau of the lakes and at an altitude of 1,950 meters, lies the Astraka mountain refuge.

he refuge can accommodate 52 people and belongs to the Hellenic Federation of Mountaineering & Climbing (EOOA). It was built by the initiative of the Mountaineering Club of Ioannina and the Papigo mountaineering group in 1966. It serves as a base for all mountaineering and climbing routes to the peaks of Tymfi. Since the spring of 2004, the second wing of the refuge has been operational.

In the summer months, the refuge operates daily, offering food, while in winter, it operates by arrangement with the manager.

For information, contact: 6973 223100 (Refuge manager: Georgios Rokas) or visit Astraka Refuge.

From there, it takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes to reach Drakolimni.

From the refuge, you descend the path, then pass through “Lakka Tsoumani” with the seasonal lake (at 1,750 m.).

In the same area, there are many springs and other smaller seasonal lakes. Continue uphill, and in 1 hour and 15 minutes, you will reach Drakolimni.

Regardless of the season, the area offers stunning views.

Your gaze encompasses the vastness of the landscape, stops at the two peaks of Gamila (the axes), continues along the ridges of Ploskos, is captivated by the bulk of Astraka, crosses the alpine meadows of Tymfi, and finally finds peace in the tranquility of the lake.

To the north, the landscape becomes even wilder, with steep slopes and ravines ending in the Aoos River. The view extends to the villages of the Lakka Aoou and the peaks of Smolikas. Drakolimni can be accessed from other areas, but this is the fastest and easiest route.

<p>The post Drakolimni of Tymfi – A magnificent journey through the mountainous world of Epirus first appeared on Epirus Explorer.</p>

Mikro Papigo is one of the most beautiful and well-preserved settlements in Zagori. It is not only the architecture but also the stunning location within the Vikos – Aoos National Park, under the imposing formation of Astraka and other peaks, a unique picture of natural beauty.

It consists of two neighborhoods, Megalo Papigo and Mikro Papigo, which, despite being about 15 minutes apart by car, form one community. Megalo Papigo is located at an altitude of 900 meters, and Mikro Papigo at an altitude of 980 meters.

To reach Megalo Papigo, follow the road from Aristi, cross the bridge over the Voidomatis River, and drive approximately 7.5 km along the “kagkelia,” the winding road with 14 sharp turns and stunning views. Continuing from Megalo Papigo, you reach Mikro Papigo, where the road ends.

Historical Information About Papigo

General Historical Information

Archaeological findings suggest habitation in the area since prehistoric times. According to historian I. Lampridis (Chapter 8, page 25), the village was founded immediately after the first church of Saint Vlasios was established in 912 “under Emperor Constantine.” Roman spears and Byzantine coins were found at that time.

I. Lampridis, in his work Zagoriaka (page 24), mentions that in the past, the word Papigo referred to a province consisting of many villages. However, in his time, it was a small town divided into two sections (neighborhoods) and separated by a stream, over which a stone bridge was built in 1854 at the expense of Anastasios Lolis. The larger section was built in a smooth, water-rich valley. It had about 700 inhabitants, 100 houses, and was the capital of the province, housing courts and workshops. The smaller section, located at the foot of Radovoli and about 20 minutes away from the larger one, had 400 inhabitants and 47 houses.

Etymology

According to Kostas Ev. Oikonomou (The Toponyms of the Ioannina Region), the place name is considered an Albanian formation and is attributed to the combination of the Albanian prefix “pa” (meaning without) and the noun “peng” (meaning pledge or hostage). It is difficult to determine the historical conditions that contributed to the creation of the toponym. The same etymology should apply to the name of the mountain in Albania, Maja e Papingut (“the peak of Papingo”), located about 31 kilometers northwest of Papigo.

Schools

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20100909151559/http://www.papigo.gr/el/politismos/architectoniki_03.php

In Megalo Papigo, next to the church of Agios Vlasios, stands the school building of Megalo Papigo, erected in 1897 with funding from Michael Polychroniou, as stated on an inscription in the courtyard.

Previously, two schools operated in Mikro and Megalo Papigo until 1971. Today, an elementary school functions in Megalo Papigo.

The greatest contribution to its operation and financial survival came from Papigo’s benefactor, Michael Anagnostopoulos, who in 1888 established the “Kallineia” Schools in Papigo— a middle school, two elementary schools (one in Megalo and one in Mikro Papigo), and a kindergarten in memory of his mother, Kalina. The school also houses a valuable library of 1,200 volumes, donated by Michael Anagnostopoulos and transported from Boston to Papigo. Although many volumes were lost during the war, several remain today.

Architecture

Papigo (Mikro and Megalo) is built like all villages in Zagori. Between 1750 and 1850, houses were taller, more spacious, with wooden rooms, and most featured beautiful ceiling and wall decorations.

The craftsmen who constructed the houses were mainly from the villages of Konitsa and Tzoumerka, organized into guilds (called “bouloukia”). The painters who decorated the walls were mostly from the village of Chionades in Konitsa.

In most villages of Zagori, as well as in several houses in Papigo, a significant number of houses with folk wall paintings survive today.

What to see in and around Megalo and Mikro Papigo

The Rogovos Pools

When leaving Megalo Papigo and heading towards Mikro Papigo, just 1 km away, you will notice a small bridge and a sign. Park there and follow the path to admire the Rogovo Pools, also known as the “Kolymbithres.” These are natural pools formed in the limestone rocks by the movement of the Rogovo stream.

Hiking Routes

Papigo is located in an area that uniquely combines the beauty of natural and man-made landscapes, offering many different destinations and routes. The area is ideal for hiking, mountaineering, climbing, rafting, mountain biking, and walking tours in the surrounding traditional settlements. It is an ideal place for all seasons.

However, the heavy visitor traffic, especially in Megalo Papigo, the abundance of cafes and restaurants, and car parking detract from the village’s authenticity, yet it still manages to captivate visitors.

One of the most popular hiking routes leads from Mikro Papigo to Drakolimni of Tymfi, at an altitude of 2,050 meters, northwest of Ploskos peak.

Drakolimni of Tymfi

One of the most popular hiking routes leads from Mikro Papigo to Drakolimni of Tymfi. According to myth, a dragon living there was constantly in conflict with another dragon residing in Lake Smolikas. It is said that Ali Pasha attempted to ascend to the lake, but a summer storm thwarted his plan. Detailed information about the Drakolimni Tymfi route can be found here.

Churches

Agios Vlasios

Located in Mesochori, it was built in 1852 on the site of an older church from 912. A few meters from the church stands its imposing and majestic bell tower (1887), which is 15 meters high, hexagonal, and resembles a tower.

Agia Paraskevi

The date of construction is unknown. On the eastern side, a carved stone with the date 1898 is preserved.

Agios Georgios

Located in Megalo Papigo, Zagori, it was built in 1774 as a three-aisled basilica and renovated in 1880. The bell tower of Agios Georgios is rectangular, reaching ten meters in height and decorated with carved black plates depicting various Saints. It was built around 1830, as stated on an inscribed plaque.

Church of Virgin Mary

Located southeast of the Siopoto neighborhood, it is decorated with exceptional frescoes. On the eastern side, the date 1774 is inscribed.

Taxiarches

The only church in Mikro Papigo, it has been designated a protected monument by the Ministry of Culture. The construction date is unknown, but it is estimated that it was built in its current form in the 18th century.

Chapels

Panagia Paliouri – A small and simple church dedicated to the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. Agios Athanasios. Ai–Lias, 15 minutes away from the village, on a green hill. Agia Kyriaki and the Holy Apostles.

Bridges

Lakkos Bridge

Source: Bridgeography of Pindos, Spiros I. Mantas, Volume B, Page 517

It is located between Mikro and Megalo Papigo, in the Lakkos area. It is a single-arched bridge built on two perpendicular rocks, connecting the two settlements with the old path. It was built in 1854 by Anastasios Lolis. Anastasios Zordovoulis, or Lolis, from Mikro Papigo, practicing as a healer, became a great benefactor of both his village and the surrounding area. It is said that there was once an inscribed plaque that testified to the year of construction and the benefactor, but it was destroyed.

Boulougounsa Bridge

Source: Bridgeography of Pindos, Spiros I. Mantas, Volume B, Page 518

It is a small single-arched bridge located next to the main road before the turn to Megalo Papigo. It bridges the Boulougounsa stream, where the gardens of Papigo’s residents used to be. A fountain is nearby. According to I. Lampridis, Protosyngellos Matthaios Papathanasios paid 6,000 groschen for the construction of the bridge and the fountain (1871).

The Arched Cement Bridge

This bridge over the Voidomatis River was built with funds from Papigo residents in 1923 and connects Aristi with Papigo.

Where to stay if you visit Papigo

Recommended Accommodations:

• Avragonio: A warm and welcoming guesthouse with views of Central Zagori. Κλείστε τη διαμονή σας εδώ.
• Pantheon: A wonderful accommodation with views of the Astraka Towers and very hospitable owners. Κλείστε τη διαμονή σας εδώ.
• Mikro Papigo 1700 Hotel & Spa: A 5-star hotel complex in a beautiful location on the left slope of Mikro Papigo. Κλείστε τη διαμονή σας εδώ.

Dining in Papigo

Recommended Restaurants:

• Konaki in Megalo Papigo
• Veranda 1700 in Mikro Papigo

<p>The post Fairytale Papigo: The Most Famous Village of Zagorohoria first appeared on Epirus Explorer.</p>

Zagorochoria is a destination filled with enchanting natural beauty, historic villages, and unique experiences. This proposal for a three-day adventure in Zagorochoria is just one of the many possible routes you can take in the area.

This itinerary is quite intensive and is perfect for those who love exploration and are not afraid to drive on mountain roads to discover the hidden gems of the region.

If you enjoy adventure and exploration, this route is ideal for you!

Day 1: Monodendri and Vitsa – The Perfect Start

Accommodation in Zagorochoria

For your first day in Zagorochoria, we recommend staying in either Vitsa or Monodendri. Both villages offer strategic locations for exploring the area. After checking in at your accommodation, take some time to relax from your journey.

Recommended Accommodations:

• Guesthouse “KATIKIA ZAGORI”: A warm and welcoming guesthouse with views of central Zagori. Book your stay here.
• “Guesthouse Selini”: A beautiful mansion from 1846 that has been restored into a traditional guesthouse with all modern amenities. Book your stay here.
• Hotel “Monodendri”: A charming hotel in the center of the village with atmospheric traditional architecture. Book your stay here.
• Hotel “Zagori Philoxenia”: A cozy and welcoming place with all modern comforts. Book your stay here.

Stroll in Monodendri

Begin your exploration with a leisurely walk around Monodendri. Visit the Church of Agia Paraskevi, where you can enjoy panoramic views of Vikos Gorge, an amazing spot to admire the region’s vast natural beauty.

Afternoon Exploration in Vitsa

End your day with a walk around Vitsa. This picturesque village offers beautiful scenes and a traditional atmosphere. Enjoy a traditional dinner at one of the local tavernas, where the authentic cuisine of Epirus will enchant you with its flavors.

Recommended restaurants:

• Εν Χώρα Βεζίτσα
• Η Στρούγκα Στη Βίτσα

Day 2: Oxya, Aristi, and Papingo – Nature and History

Oxya – The best view of Vikos gorge

On your second day, start with a walk towards Oxya, one of the most magical landscapes of Vikos Gorge. The gorge is 12 kilometers long, over 900 meters deep, and 1,100 meters wide, holding a Guinness World Record for being the deepest gorge in the world in proportion to its width.

Exploring the Stone Forest

On the way to Oxyia, visit the Stone Forest, a magnificent formation of limestone rocks that appear to be human-made. These stone slabs, stacked one on top of the other, are aged between 160 to 35 million years. The erosion from rain and wind has created this result.

Coffee in Aristi

Next, head towards the village of Aristi for a coffee or snack in the village square, enjoying the serene atmosphere and picturesque views. Aristi is one of the most well-known traditional settlements in Zagorochoria, located at an altitude of 640 meters, offering views of the impressive rocks of Tymfi.

Visit to the Voidomatis River and the Monastery of Spiliotissa

Leaving Aristi, in about 3 kilometers, you will reach the Voidomatis River and the aristocratic bridge of Aristi. It’s one of our favorite spots in Zagorochoria.

Cross the bridge, park your car, and walk the short but enjoyable path along the river.

Before crossing the bridge, you can visit the Monastery of Spiliotissa, located on the left bank of the river, about 5 kilometers after Aristi on the road to Papingo.

When you are at the Spiliotissa monastery, go up the steep but distinct little path that leads to the bell tower. From there the view is fantastic.

Exploring Megalo and Mikro Papingo

The next stop on your route is Megalo Papingo. Under the imposing shadow of Astraka, this stone village looks like a jewel. The view towards the Tymfi mountain range will take your breath away. Park your car at the entrance of the village in the spacious parking lot and explore the village on foot, walking through its narrow alleys.

Leaving Megalo Papingo and heading towards Mikro Papingo, just 1 kilometer away, you will notice a small bridge and a sign. Park there and follow the path to admire the Rogovos Pools, also known as Kolymbithres. These pools in the limestone rocks were created by the movement of the Rogovo stream.

Day 3: Tsepelovo and Balta di Striga Waterfalls – A Refreshing Experience

Stroll in Tsepelovo

Start your day with a visit to the village of Tsepelovo, another beautiful village of Zagori. The route itself offers stunning landscapes, and the village’s stone architecture is enchanting. The small stone paths lead to the village’s landmark, its square with a large tree.

Kapetan Arkoudas Bridge and Kokkoris Bridge

On your way to Tsepelovo, you will encounter Kapetan Arkoudas Bridge and the impressive Kokkori Bridge. Then, head towards Iliochori, one of the Vlach villages of Zagori.

A visit in Iliochori

In the square, the huge plane tree, the pride of the village, is said to be over a thousand years old and is the largest in Zagori and one of the largest in Greece. Next to the square is the Church of Saint Nicholas, renovated in 1850.

Balta di Striga Waterfalls

Don’t miss the chance to walk to the Balta di Striga Waterfalls. The hike is relatively easy and leads to the enchanting waterfalls, offering a refreshing experience in nature.

A visit in Sarakatsaniki Stani

End your trip with a visit to the Sarakatsani Settlement, a faithful representation of a Sarakatsani seasonal settlement. Covering a total area of 16 acres, it includes the traditional “konakia” and the animal pens.

Whether you are a nature lover or an enthusiast of history and tradition, Zagorochoria has something special to offer. We hope this guide inspires you and helps you organize an unforgettable trip to this magical destination.

Other options

• If you want to change your schedule a bit, you can stay one night in Vitsa and one night in Megalo Papingo. In this case, we recommend the Avragonio accommodation, which offers breathtaking views. Check it out here.

Enjoy your stay and happy exploring!

<p>The post A 3 day adventure in Zagorochoria first appeared on Epirus Explorer.</p>

Vovousa together with the villages Doliani, Vrysochori, Greveniti, Elatochori, Iliochori, Kavallari, Kastanona, Laista, Makrino, Tristeno and Flampourari make up the so-called Vlachozagoro.

This integration in the administrative unit of Zagorochoria shaped its historical course and influenced its economic organization and its relations with the Vlach villages of the surrounding areas, close and varied relations.

«The famous Valia Calda which many times served as a refuge for the infamous thieves extends above the village… There are green forests, from which the wood and the torch are extracted for Zagori and the other provinces of Epirus, where in summer men and women go there to carry home the torches they need, and their songs are very strange and their dances are inimitable…»

Ioannis Lampridis in “Zagoriaka” (p.83)

History and Information

The village is surrounded by large and dense forests of fir, beech and black pine. It is an area where the abundance of water makes it a great hydrological basin. The mountains that surround the area create a valley in which the main bed of the Aoos River is formed. At its lowest points, at an altitude of about 1000 meters, the river that now follows a northern course, passes through the settlement of Vovousa.

The settlement and its name

According to Fanis Dasoulas, PhD in Folklore at the University of Ioannina, all the idiomatic and linguistic forms of the historical name of the river are variations of a common root derived from the popular Latin phrase Amnis or Aqua or Fluvia Vivosa or Viosa. The use of the adjective vivosus, which literally means alive, presupposes the rapid and impetuous movement of the water or its cool texture

The settlement was first mentioned in 1592/93 in a manuscript of the Monastery of the Transfiguration of Meteora which is a valuable archive of toponyms and names from the period 1592/93 – 19th century. So the settlement pre-existed or had just been formed.

According to undocumented traditions, the village was formed by the union of small settlements, which have disappeared today, between the 16th and 17th centuries and since then it has been named after the river that crosses it. The original settlers were primarily engaged in agriculture and animal husbandry and secondarily in the exploitation of forest resources. In the course of time, it is very likely that the existing agricultural settlements of the mountain valleys coexisted with groups of mobile pastoralists who sought stable mountain homelands and who then integrated with the inhabitants of the settlement.

The French traveler F. Pouqueville, who passed through Vovousa in 1806, gives a brilliant picture of the village, describing the houses surrounded by gardens with many vegetables and many roses. It is an image that suggests a permanent installation, not a seasonal one.

Hydrokinesis

Vovousa, having the potential of water propulsion, was an important derveni (mountain pass) with a fully developed manufacturing function, just like other Pindos settlements. Merchants and producers of grain and woolen fabrics, processed and processed there, safely, the products that moved between different regions.

The technological starting point of these developments was the water saw, a real water-powered wood chopping machine, which achieved greater and higher quality production at a lower cost in time and effort and contributed to the rapid growth of logging production. The water saw has been known in Europe since the 14th century and its use became known in the Balkans in the late 16th century.

According to the residents of the village of Vovousa, the water saw was imported to Pindos from Bulgaria. The art was practiced by specific groups of craftsmen who roamed throughout the mountain range.

However, there was a continuous and massive use of the water saw in Greece only in Pindos. Technologically, this mechanism can be considered as the most complex tool ever built by the inhabitants of Pindos, in the pre-industrial era.

A large part of the inhabitants joined the gangs organized by the sawyers, i.e. the manufacturers-operators of the water saws. The participation of the residents of Vovousa was important. The endurance of the teams in the difficult geographical and climatic conditions of the mountains and the art of the sawmills was admirable.

Vovousa during the Turkish Occupation

During the Turkish occupation, Vovousa, like the area of ​​Zagori, came under the jurisdiction of Valide Sultan (the queen mother) and by paying taxes, like the rest of Zagorochoria, managed to maintain the privileged status under which the institution of self-government operated. It was the period of the great prosperity of the village and was considered one of the largest villages.

When in 1803 the youngest son of Ali Pasha, Salih, lent to the inhabitants a sum of money which, when they collected it, he refused to receive it asking for the amount in Venetian coins, as he had lent them. Refusal to accept another equivalent currency has cost residents around 4,000 grosses. This trick of Ali Pasha and his relatives was aimed at turning Vovousa (as well as those villages that could not repay the loan) into a feud (ciftlik). Anagnostis Hadjigeorgiou, one of Ali Pasha’s grammarians in Thessaly, who came from Vovousa helped in this difficult situation,and giving 20,000 “white” (silver coins), relieved the village of its debt. Unfortunately, Hadjigeorgiou lost not only his position but also his life.

Source: The information is translated from: Χρήστος Καραβίδης, ΤΡΑΓΟΥΔΙΑ ΚΑΙ ΧΟΡΟΙ ΤΗΣ ΒΟΒΟΥΣΑΣ, p. 19

Robberies and expatriations

The pressure of the Turks, the tyrannical domination of Ali Pasha and the robbery raids, forced the inhabitants to emigrate, both inside Greece and in the wider Balkan and Central European area. In 1817 about 120 families, belonging to the ruling class of Vovousa, left in groups in search of better fortune in eastern Macedonia and eastern Romulia where a group established a colony near Plovdiv, Bulgaria.

In 1833 they returned, setting up their households again and continuing the logging and supplying with wood not only Zagori but also many other parts of Epirus they reached again the prosperity they had before.

Between 1878 and 1883, robbery was rampant. Vovousa was at the center of this crisis, as a transportation center that was, but also as the more vulnerable village in Zagorochori in the presence of robbers from the villages of Grevena such as Perivoli, Distrato and Samarina.

The damage suffered by the villages of Zagori was incalculable and to such an extent that the inhabitants were forced, in that decade, to leave their place.Towards the end of the Ottoman Empire, with the abolition of privileges and due to the looting raids, the decline of both Vovousa and the general area began.

Source: The information is translated from: Χρήστος Καραβίδης, ΤΡΑΓΟΥΔΙΑ ΚΑΙ ΧΟΡΟΙ ΤΗΣ ΒΟΒΟΥΣΑΣ, p. 20, 22, 24

The liberation of Vovousa

In November 1912, in an engagement involving between a Turkish detachment and the inhabitants, ten houses and a large clock made exclusively of wood were burned. After the liberation, Vovousa with the Treaty of Bucharest in 1913 was annexed to the Greek state and underwent the changes of the mountainous volume of the Greek countryside. Unlike other neighboring villages, Vovousa did not show a strong population outflow because a large part of its economy turned to various craft activities, such as logging and transporting timber to Ioannina with sacks. There was a small influx of immigrants to Romania and later to the United States.

Source: The information is translated from: Χρήστος Καραβίδης, ΤΡΑΓΟΥΔΙΑ ΚΑΙ ΧΟΡΟΙ ΤΗΣ ΒΟΒΟΥΣΑΣ, p. 28

Romanian propaganda in Vovousa

The causes of the issue were Romanian grandeur and the need to disorient the Vlach-Moldavians due to loss of Transylvania from Austria-Hungary, and Bessarabia from Russia. Because any reaction to these Great Powers posed serious dangers to the hegemonies turned their attention to the Vlachs of Thessaly, Epirus and Macedonia whom they characterized of the same nationality. The creation of the Kutsovlach issue was first created in 1849. In 1863-64 it was officially supported by the Romanian government.

In the period from 1881 to 1886 and in the context of the Romanian propaganda, there was intense conversion pressure with the establishment of schools both in Vovousa and in the wider area. The effort did not have the expected success, and over time, the national sentiment of the residents was awakened and they reacted strongly.

In the period from 1917 to 1940 there was a new resurgence of Romanian propaganda. The Italians attempted to install consuls in the Wallachian villages, but met the reaction of the Greek Wallachians. In the fall of 1918, the “Principality of Pindos” was proclaimed by the Vlachs of Koritsa, who prevented the Greek army from taking Vovousa from the retreating Italians. This particular Republic lived for only one day, while 10 families of the propagandists were forced to relocate, for fear of reprisals, to the region of Northern Epirus.

Source: The information is translated from: Μιχαήλ Τρίτος, Το Κουτσοβλαχικό ζήτημα και Δημήτριος Χατζής, ΑΝΤΙΠΟΙΝΑ ΤΩΝ ΕΡΜΑΝΙΚΩΝ ΑΡΧΩΝ ΚΑΤΟΧΗΣ ΣΤΟ ΖΑΓΟΡΙ (ΙΩΑΝΝΙΝΩΝ) 1943-1944

The battle at Vovousa

At dawn on October 28, the Italian attack began outside Kalpaki of Ioannina, in Thesprotia and Pindos. The Italians repelling the light Greek divisions, arrived on November 3 in Vovousa, 20 km northwest of Metsovo, threatening to cut off the Ioannina-Kalampaka road.

That morning, Captain Anastasios Pappas arrived in the village first with all his soldiers left wandering for three days in Pindos, exhausted and with little ammunition and also cut off from the forces of Davakis who was defending on the line Smolikas-Kastaniani-Kiafa-Katafiki. Arriving in Vovousa, they found that the Italians and specifically the vanguard of the 3rd Alpine Division Julia were arriving in the village. Not having a radio, the captain immediately notified the military administration in Metsovo from the telephone line of the Gendarmerie Station. The lieutenant colonel who was in Metsovo, with whom Pappas spoke, was taken by surprise. He was not waiting for the Italians there, nor for Pappas, who normally had to be somewhere else. However, he was found at the right time in the right place.

The lieutenant colonel asked Captain Anastasios Pappas to keep a defense until reinforcements arrive. Thanks to the heroism of the captain who attacked suddenly with the few men of his company, and gave a victorious battle against the men of the Division Julia, the first retreat of the Italians was achieved. Pappas’s company played an important role at the beginning of the war. Despite the suffering of the soldiers and the lack of ammunition, he kept the Italians in Vovousa. And what is worth mentioning is that the Italian division consisted of warlike men with capable command. On November 9, 1940, the commander of “Julia”, General Mario Girotti, ordered the retreat of the division. A few days later, Greek forces recaptured the border crossings of Pindos.

Source: The information is translated from: Η μάχη στη Βοβούσα, Η Μηχανή του Χρόνου

“In the military history of Italy, the Greek-Italian war is one of its darkest pages. It was a useless, shameful war with negative consequences”

As the Italian journalist and writer Mario Cervi wrote in ​​his essay “History of the Greek War” (Storia della guerra di Grecia) 

The Germans in Vovousa

On October 19, 1943, German troops invaded Vovousa. They were accompanied by Italians, who did not accept the capitulation of Italy, coming from villages of Konitsa. Due to the fact that the Hellenic People’s Liberation Army (ΕΛΑΣ)in March 1943, attacked, disarmed and executed the Italian carabinieri, they carried out a complete robbery of the existing ones and set the village on fire.

Out of the 84 total houses, 80 and together the two schools (boys and girls), as well as the church of Agios Athanasios were set on fire and destroyed. They also took 90 large animals (cows, halves) as well as clothing, furniture and food. In July 1944 in the framework of the operation “Steinadler” (Golden Eagle) (against ΕΛΑΣ guerrillas in the area of ​​Grevena, Metsovo, Konitsa and Kastoria) Vovousa together with the nearby villages of Tristeno, Flampourari, Elatochori, Doliani and Leptokarya suffered looting and new destructions.

Source: The information is translated from: Χρήστος Καραβίδης, ΤΡΑΓΟΥΔΙΑ ΚΑΙ ΧΟΡΟΙ ΤΗΣ ΒΟΒΟΥΣΑΣ, p. 28-29

Vovousa during the civil war

The suffering of the village continued in the civil war as Vovousa, due to its geographical location, was the focus of hostilities between the National Army and the National Liberation Front and mourned victims on both sides. In 1948 some families of Vovousa left the village due to the civil war and settled in Ioannina where some stayed permanently while others returned after the civil war and organized their life in the village.

Source: The information is translated from: Χρήστος Καραβίδης, ΤΡΑΓΟΥΔΙΑ ΚΑΙ ΧΟΡΟΙ ΤΗΣ ΒΟΒΟΥΣΑΣ, p. 29

Post war period

After the war, in the context of housing the fiery settlements, the reconstruction of the destroyed village began and one-storey houses were built. Many residents settled permanently in Ioannina, Thessaloniki, Trikala, Athens and others emigrated to North and South America, Germany and Australia. However, the village did not present the image of desolation that most of the mountainous and semi-mountainous settlements of the Greek province had suffered because a large part of the population remained there and was active in logging.

As one of the most remote villages of Epirus, it was left in isolation since the old road network was abandoned and the new carriage roads that were built bypassed Vovousa and marginalized it. The dirt road that connected it with Perivoli was built in 1965, the road to central Zagori was used seasonally by loggers and Forest Services and until the 1970s there was no electricity supply. The women take care of their households and gardens. There is a single-seat primary school in the village. The rapid growth of tourism in recent years has turned the activities of many families in the tourism sector.

Source: The information is translated from: Χρήστος Καραβίδης, ΤΡΑΓΟΥΔΙΑ ΚΑΙ ΧΟΡΟΙ ΤΗΣ ΒΟΒΟΥΣΑΣ, p. 30

Dance, music and songs

Dance was the dominant element of social events in the countryside (festivals, weddings, return of expatriates). In the music and dance tradition of Vovousa, the “General Dance” is performed, which takes place in open public spaces from the feast dances that used to take place at home, while later and until today they are danced in the various entertainment centers of the village.

The dance started either with the song or with the music of the various companies. Men took the lead in order of age and women followed in a second circle according to the date of their marriage.

The musicians who participate in the General Dance follow all the first dancers closely and play directly in front of them, without the use of sound amplifiers. Until the year 2000 they did not use audio amplifiers. From then until today, the electrical amplification of musical instruments and voices has been established.

The folk song connected with all aspects of social life has character, not only entertainment and ritual, but preserves the historical memory. Passing from generation to generation, it accepts new elements and adapts to social and historical conditions. The place and the history shaped the the closed Vlach society with its strict principles obviously had no room for love songs.

However, with the contacts they had with Greek-speaking villages and with large cities, such as Ioannina, they began to accept influences on their way of life and this was also seen in their songs.

Source: The information is translated from: Χρήστος Καραβίδης, ΤΡΑΓΟΥΔΙΑ ΚΑΙ ΧΟΡΟΙ ΤΗΣ ΒΟΒΟΥΣΑΣ –  http://vlahoi.net/ebooks/karavidis-tragoudia-kai-xoroi-tis-vovousas

People from Vovousa

From Vovousa comes a great man known to almost all the people of Ioannina, Father Athanasios (1932-2021), who for decades made the monastery of Panagia Dourachani a center of love and offering. Although he said he was illiterate, he nevertheless managed to read the Bible first, and then all the church books.

A serious illness and a vision changed his life forever. He left the family business, rented two houses in Ioannina to accommodate children in need, and tried to help poor students he knew to read and find shelter for the night. He worked two or three jobs a day to provide food and shelter for the children. He started gathering children who could not even play, rented a room to play and read.

In 1972, an assistant bishop in Ioannina urged Sotiris Hatzis, acknowledging his desire to become a monk. He was then ordained a deacon and a priest the following year. Initially, he was granted the monastery of Agios Ioannis Prodromos, and then the monastery of Panagia Dourahani.At that time, the abandoned monastery of Panagia Dourahani, which was given to the monk, had only rocks and stones. Father Athanasios resurrected it with his own hands.

“In the dilemma, whether I will be close to the world or go to a sanctuary, the social mission prevailed. I wanted to have the joy of creation, to be close to man, to offer”

With these words, the elderly monk, Father Athanasios, sets the stage for the great decision of life, which he took as a young monk in 1974.

His will made him a craftsman and gave breath to the ruins, where “Anthos”(Flower) was created for many years, a non-profit Charitable Foundation. It is a boarding school-shelter, a Primary School and a High School, which operate with great effort but strong will, in an area next to the monastery and offer affection and care to children, aged 6 to 18 years.

The premises also have libraries, reading rooms, entertainment rooms. There they find food, sleep, education, affection and love, hundreds of people who need it. The hagiography workshop, the radio station and the folklore museum, are the voluntary offer of the elder’s associates, and a practical example of love for fellow human beings. The hagiography workshop, the radio station and the folklore museum, are the voluntary offer of the elder’s associates, and a practical example of love for fellow human beings.

All the children that Father Athanasios helped, became great scientists and businessmen, but they never forgot the man who took care of them. Today, they lend a helping hand and support to the social work of Father Athanasios.

Source: The information is translated from: Πατέρας Αθανάσιος, κατά κόσμον Σωτήρης Χατζής   (http://www.dourachani.gr/2018/01/blog-post_8.html – Ιερά Μονή Παναγίας Δουραχάνης Ιωαννίνων)

Also from Vovousa were: the chieftain of Zagori Nikolaos Douvlis and Apostolos Hatzis or Tsarouchas (1891-1983) who was involved in the collection of historical and folklore material and in 1976 at the age of 85 he dictated his memoirs, which were useful about the history of Vovousa.

What to see when you visit Vovousa

The bridge in the village

The large single-arched bridge that dominates the center of the settlement built in 1748 with the sponsorship of Alexis Missios from Monodendri of Zagori is the main feature of the settlement and was the only passage of Aoos for travelers heading from the area of ​​Zagori to Grevena and generally to Macedonia and Constantinople. Especially in winter this arterial road was more accessible than the main one, which crossed the town of Metsovo and for travelers who wanted to travel from Ioannina to Macedonia. The control of the bridge presupposed the control of the valley and consequently of the surrounding mountain passes.

The place names testify that the valley was not only an organized passage but also the seat of an important armatoliki. For the men of arms the control of the valley helped in the exercise of local authority, and when they disagreed with the central then they came into conflict with it. The construction of the bridge, made this passage of Aoos in one of the most important roads of communication of Epirus with Macedonia and it is very likely that it contributed to the final unification of the surrounding small settlements.

Source: The information is translated from: Θεοφάνης ∆ασούλας, διδάκτωρ Λαογραφίας Πανεπιστήμιο Ιωαννίνων, Η εφαρµογή της υδροκίνησης στην ξυλουργική βιοτεχνία της Πίνδου. Το παρελθόν της βιοτεχνίας και µια πρόταση μουσειακής ανάδειξης

La Puntika bridge

Small single-arched bridge at 995 m altitude, in the homonymous location in the south shortly before entering the village above Asprorema (Aroulou Albu in Vlachs), which flows into Aoos river. The villagers call it “La Puntika”, a Vlach name meaning “small bridge”. It is unknown when it was built and who built it.

The water power museum

It is worth the visit because after many years, the historic water saw was put into operation with the assistance of the experienced craftsman Alekos Drougias. The magnificent construction that the lumberjacks of the area dismantled and rebuilt depending on the place where they worked to cut the logs, is an achievement of the versatile craftsmanship that combines technology with the power of nature. With minor repairs and the power of the Aoos, the engine started again on the first day of August 2020.

Churches

The churches of Agios Georgios (building of 1814), Agia Paraskevi (where the divine service takes place every July 26 and the traditional three-day festival of Vovousa) and Panagia stand out, as well as the Primary school built at the expense of Petros Kazanas.

The forest of Agia Paraskevi in Vovousa

In Epirus, in the mountains of Zagori and Konitsa, there are many natural places dedicated to churches, chapels, icons, where old trees and age-old forests are found. Along with the effort to systematically record them and highlight their importance as valuable elements of our natural and cultural heritage, the idea was born to study whether these sites are of particular value for the conservation of nature and biodiversity.

This idea finally took shape with the project Project: THALIS-SAGE (Sacred Groves of Epirus), which was coordinated by the University of Ioannina and in which scientists of many different specialties, both natural and humanities, from five different countries participated. The five-year cooperation and research provided many interesting facts, most importantly that the sacred forests of Epirus functioned as sanctuaries for the conservation of biodiversity, long before words like “sustainability” or “nature protection” are heard that have now become part of our daily vocabulary.

The example of these places, both in the research area in Epirus and elsewhere, shows how the local communities of the past managed to preserve Nature. Because these small communities have been able to preserve these forests for their own values ​​and by serving their own goals, they are now gaining in importance.

In 2015, the sacred forests of Zagori and Konitsa, which are home to dozens or even hundreds of centuries-old trees, were included in the national list of intangible cultural heritage of UNESCO. According to the UNESCO definition, intangible cultural heritage refers to collective representations, practices, expressions, values, knowledge and skills associated with specific communities, groups or individuals and passed down from generation to generation.

One of these forests is the forest of Agia Paraskevi in ​​Vovousa which is dedicated to the church of Agia Paraskevi. It is located at the top of the homonymous hill and celebrates on July 26. There are some of the largest black pines of Pindos and many trees that die naturally from old age. It is one of the most well-preserved forests in the area. The forest is about half an hour away from the village and is approached following a path that starts from the stone bridge of Vovousa.

Source: The information has been translated from: Τα Μεγαλειώδη Δέντρα του Ζαγορίου και της Κόνιτσας, Πανεπιστήμιο Ιωαννίνων 2015, Έργο: ΘΑΛΗΣ – SAGE «Η διατήρηση της Φύσης μέσω της Θρησκείας – Τα Ιερά Δάση της Ηπείρου»

The valley of Valia Calda

Vovousa is located in the center of the National Park of North Pindos, next to the famous Valia Calda and in areas of exceptional beauty. Since the founding of the Pindos National Park in 1966, it includes the valley of Valia Calda and Arkoudorema as well as the mountains Lygkos and Mavrovouni. Its area reaches 70,000 acres of which 33,000 are the core. In 2005 the Forest merged with the nearby Vikos-Aoos National Park, forming the North Pindos National Park, which is now the largest Park in our country.

The name “Valia Calda” means in Vlach “Warm Valley” although this is a euphemism since it is one of the coldest and wettest areas in the country. The predominant element of water in the area, the wild forests, the snow-capped peaks, the rapid streams and the beautiful glades compose an amazing scenery of natural beauty with unique ecological interest on a national and pan-European scale.

The richness of biodiversity and the important presence of protected species such as the Brown Bear and the White-tailed Vulture is truly impressive. It is one of the 2-3 most important virgin and wild places of our country.

Activities

Exploring nature is a unique experience and the options are many depending on the time available and preferences: routes, others on asphalt roads to neighboring areas and villages, others on passable dirt roads, and others purely hiking trails. Circular hiking routes starting from the bridge of Vovousa, amazing route with 4×4 from Vovousa to Gyftokampos.

The Mountain shelter “Valia Calda”

In a wonderful mountain setting, in 2001 was built the shelter “Valia Calda” of Vovousa which can accommodate 50 people and on the ground floor the restaurant can serve up to 100 people. The outdoor shelter during the summer months is an oasis. Part of the outdoor area of ​​the shelter is used for camping.

For mountaineering and other activities in the area, the people in charge of the shelter are the most suitable people for any information. http://katafigiovaliacalda.com

Vovousa Festival

From 2015 and from July 16 to August 7, the Vovousa Festival is successfully organized every year. Music events, theatrical performances as well as modern dancing, hiking trips, truffle hunting, herbal medicine, intangible cultural heritage and oral history are organized.

«Protect Aoos» MTB Ultra

The Protect Aoos MTB Ultra for the protection of the Aoos is the most demanding mountain bike race in Greece and every year it attracts dozens of athletes from all over the country.

Festivals and Events

In the early 1900s, when men worked in the “water saws” as lumberjacks in the forest, returning home every 15 days led to a party, sometimes with local companies or others that were not local.

The local festival is organized every year on the day of celebration of Saint Paraskevi on July 26th. After the service in the church of Agia Paraskevi, they gather in the village, where visits with the accompaniment of musicians and an all-night feast follow. The festival ends with a feast the next night.

Another festival takes place on August 15th on the celebration of the Virgin Mary where the dance is accompanied by songs without an orchestra.

June 23-24 of Ai-Giannis or Giliata (Bride bazaar): Until the end of the 1960s, this event gave the opportunity to dance as first dancers to women who did not have a husband at home, and it was not possible at other events to dance in front if they did not have a male escort. Of course, the “Bride bazaar” also operated through the dance, where women alone were invited to dance in the middle of the village. This enabled men to “look” and “choose”. Today the dance takes place in the various shops. The dance is always accompanied by an orchestra and the songs are the same as those heard at other events.

At Easter the General Dance takes place in the courtyard of the church of Agios Georgios after the Second Resurrection on Sunday afternoon and at Carnival the songs heard were mocking.

Matchmakings, engagements and weddings took place in the houses and relatives were present. All the customs regarding the ritual were observed and a feast followed with songs from the mouth or with an orchestra.

The music and dance tradition of Vovousa is culturally different from the other Vlach communities of East Zagori (Greveniti, Flampourari, Elatochori), which have assimilated more elements of the Zagorian music tradition.

The music and dance repertoire of Vovousa has influences from the neighboring areas of Grevena, Metsovo and the Vlach villages of western Pindos, but shaped in a special style different from the other neighboring cultural units. After World War II, the demographic problem due to internal migration in the urban centers of the country altered the social fabric of the community.

Many of the social events no longer take place and only the three festivals are revived today but not with the dynamics of the past: the Little festival on June 23, the three-day festival of Agia Paraskevi on July 26 and the festival on the 15th of August. Weddings and name days are becoming more and rarer. However, today the people of Vovousa believe in the singing and dancing continuity that has preserved many of the elements of the past, which they try to highlight as faithfully as possible in the authentic and traditional form of the ritual part of the festivals.

<p>The post Vovousa: A beautiful village in a mountainous valley first appeared on Epirus Explorer.</p>

History and Information

It is unknown when the original settlement was established. However, archaeological findings found on a hill at the Kastro site, and at the “Konismata” site testify to the habitation in the wider area from the end of the 13th century BC.

Originally the village consisted of two settlements, Mikro and Megalo Tservari. When the Turks occupied Ioannina in 1430, it also declared submission, like many villages of Zagori, obtaining with the Treaty of Voinikos a status of autonomy and other privileges granted by the Turks. When in 1583 a terrible plague epidemic decimated Central Zagori the Ottoman state in an attempt to strengthen the communal system of Zagori that had been shaken by the desolation due to the plague, ordered many settlement collapses in wider communities. Thus the two settlements were united forming one community, that of Cervari, which in 1928 was renamed Elafotopos.

At the end of the 16th and beginning of the 17th century, many families from the Vastani settled in Tservari, contributing to the development of the village. From the 18th century onwards Cervari showed economic and cultural development, This was due to the emigration of many of the inhabitants who were active in many countries and mainly in Serbia and who advanced economically and helped their village.

As for the origin of the name Tservari, there are various versions, but the most prevalent is that the toponym comes from the Slavic words terbu (= deer, cervus in Latin) and arie (= place), i.e. a place with many deer, i.e. Elafotopos which is also the its current name.

During the Greco-Italian war, the village was located near Grabala, which was also the defense line of the Greek forces. The same in the Civil War. And it may not have suffered the ravages of other villages, but the later period was the period of desolation. In 1970 the school was also closed.

In recent years, many residents have returned and the village has changed its appearance. Some have restored their houses and others have built new ones.

What to see in Elafotopos

The village is built around the beautiful square with the sycamore tree, the middle village, located in the center and around it are the cafe, the church, the school and the neighborhoods with the beautiful stone houses. The houses are built of white chipped stone, a building material abundant throughout the region.

The walk on the cobblestones gives you a complete picture of the architecture of the village and the usability of the buildings. The built terraces and steps were and are places of meeting and rest. The houses of the village that remain standing until today were built between the 18th and 20th centuries.

The huge plane tree was planted in 1200 AD at the same time as the establishment of the “Mega Tservari” settlement. In 1898, a lightning strike that struck the trunk burned its interior. Fifty years passed for the sycamore to recover, and to close the hole opened by the lightning.

The old Primary School and the mansion of Theodoulis Kaisaris have been designated as historical monuments under the Official Gazette 39/B/19-1-1996 and Official Gazette 61/A/13-4.92 respectively.

Churches

Agios Nikolaos (Saint Nicholas)

It is located near the main square. It was built in 1857 at the site where two temples were built, the church of Saint Nicholas (1770) and a small temple of Saint Charalampos. The old temples were demolished to build the newest of St. Nicholas in this place.

Temple of Dormition of Virgin Mary

Known by the name Panagia, it is located in the settlement of Elafotopos.

Saint Nicholas

It is located in Kalyvia of Elafotopos. The small one-storied temple is located on the left side of the road connecting Kalpaki with Elafotopos.

Folklore and Historical Museum (Museum of Traditional Occupations)

Next to the Church of the Assumption, in a building of 1790. His history began in 1978 at the initiative of the local Sculptor and Educational Art, M. Economides and in collaboration with several other actors and residents of the village. The exhibits that exist here have managed to gather them from donations and purchases by Economides himself with much effort and money with purpose to save, preserve and highlight the objects of local folk culture. About 1,000 utilitarian tools 19 traditional professions, dating back to 1800, are exhibited at the museum, while there are 3,000 other tools in the warehouse of the other professions waiting to be found the right place. But there are other remarkable exhibits of everyday life. Tel: 26530-22538.

Old buildings

Some old buildings are still preserved in the village, such as the Kitsia mansion, the mansion owned by Theodoulis Kaesaris and the Primary School, which have been designated as historically preserved monuments.

Activities

The settlement is located in the peripheral zone of the protected area of ​​the North Pindos National Park and is therefore offered for nice routes either by car in all Zagorohoria or walking in paths.

Events

In Apokries (Carnival) with the great fire (jamala), on August 6th in Metamorphosis of Sotiros is held a two-day traditional feast, in August religious and athletic events. Gratzia, three-day sports events established since 2009 and taking place in August every 2 years in honor of the brothers of Gratzios (great benefactors of the Gkratzeio Sports Center Elafotopos) and especially the Balkan winner (“pre-war” superintendent) Menelaos Gratzios, , in honor of which he also took the same name and the Northeastern Athletics Championship in Thessaloniki. These events are organized by the Athletic Club and include athletic matches, football matches, mountaineering and other sporting events.

Accommodation – Food

The village has guest houses and taverns.

Sources

The historical information has been based on the book ELAFOTOPOS (Tservari) by Menelaus Kikopoulos, Ioannina 1991

<p>The post Elafotopos- On the slopes of Stouros at 1100 m. first appeared on Epirus Explorer.</p>

Originally it belonged to the vlach villages of Aoos Valley (Konitsa). However, from a historical point of view, it joined Zagori and in the meantime also differentiated in terms of its characteristics. So today it is part of the cultural and historical unity of Central Zagori.

History and Information about Vrysochori

About the village

Vrysochori used to belong to the Vlachohoria of Lakka of Aoos (Elefthero, Paleoseli, Pades, Armata and Distrato). Today it is one of the Vlachohoria of Zagori and is part of the historical and cultural unity of Central Zagori.

The exact date of establishment of the settlement is not known. According to tradition, before Vrysochori developed into a village, it was settled by clans that formed small settlements. The first settlements were established at the time of King Pyrrhus and over time and the increase in population a number of residents moved creating two new settlements.

When later the settlements collapsed and the current village was created, which was named Agios Athanasios after the homonymous chapel of the Saint. The final unification of the settlements probably took place in the 8th AD. century in the context of the organization of the Communities of the Byzantine Empire.

Some of the first inhabitants were Albanian-Blachs, known as Buioi (Boys) or Boiani which comes from the name Buia, brought by the first leaders of this tribe who were wild and initially lived in huts. Also mentioned are members of the same tribe as that of the Bouia, who were blond and fearless.

As for the name, I. Lambridis mentions the village with the type Lesnitsa and the interpretation as “leptokaryona” i.e. a forest with hazelnut trees. According to Konstantinos Oikonomou (Toponymic of Zagori), this is a toponym found in three Slavic languages, attested from the second half of the 14th century and derived from the word lëska “hazelnut”

In 1927, as part of the Hellenization of the names of the villages, Lesinitsa was renamed Vrysochori after the many fountains that the area had.

The course of the village over time

The abundance of water favored grain and horticultural crops.

During the difficult periods such as 1917-1922 and during the German occupation, many residents of the neighboring and other villages of Zagori survived thanks to the products of Vrysochori.

In the past they cultivated vines and there was a large production of wine and tsipouro. Today, there are no vines.

The extensive and dense forests around the area of Vrysochori were a refuge for many wild animals and game. Since ancient times, many residents have had hunting as their daily occupation. Besides the routes in the forest they ensured, especially in difficult times, plenty of meat for their families. In general, hunting events used to be important events for hunters.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, the migration of many residents and the search for better living conditions in richer places is observed. At the same time, the financial assistance of the immigrants helped the village to progress from the 18th century and then the village showed great prosperity.

In World War II and the Civil War the residents saw their village burned three times: twice by the Nazis (18/10/1943, July 1944) and once during the Civil War (1945-49).

Vrysochori had the same fate as the rest of the villages in the area. What’s more. the migration of young people to the big cities resulted in the gradual desolation of the village which isolated it, since until 1996 there was only a manual telephone and the road connecting Vrysochori with Paleoselli was asphalted in 2009.

What to see in Vrysochori

St Charalampos

It is a large and impressive church in the main square of the village. The construction of the church began in 1799 and was completed in 1814, when it was inaugurated by the then Metropolitan of Ioannina Gabriel in September 1814.

The expatriates offered the most as well as the Monastery of the Holy Trinity from its income. Before the inauguration there was a controversy as to as to which Saint will be honored. Hierarch Gabriel asked for a list to find out which of the inhabitants offered the most and realizing that those who wanted Saint Charalambos to be honored in this Temple had offered the most money, without any hesitation, he opened the door chanting the apology of Saint Charalambos.

Since then, this holy temple became the symbol for the village and the reference point for every for every resident of Vrysochori, resident and expatriate.

Source: «ΑΓΙΟΣ ΧΑΡΑΛΑΜΠΟΣ» 1814-2013, Τα Νέα του Βρυσοχωρίου, τεύχος  84

The Monastery of Holy Trinity

It is located 13 km. from the village and at an altitude of 950m. and dates from the 17th century.

St Athanasios

It is the first and oldest temple of the village. According to tradition when in the 8th AD century, all the settlements were merged into one village, which was named Agios Athanasios.

St Dimitrios

It is built in the center of the settlement and was first built more than four centuries ago.

The church of Kato Panagia

It is dedicated to the Nativity of the Virgin Mary.

Stone carvings in Vrysochori

Maria Tsoupi – Remou writes about the stone sculptures that are in Vrysochori and that adorn the houses:

More than 100 samples of folk stone sculpture are located in Vrysochori. Stone carving is one of the expressions of traditional handicrafts, such as wood carving, painting, embroidery, weaving, silversmithing, metalworking and ceramics.

It is noteworthy that Vrysochori is one of the few villages of Zagori, where one can often find these excellent examples of the art of pelicans – craftsmen of the masonry company.

All these stone carvings enhance the sense of liberation from the negative forces of Evil. They are amulet “points” that give way to the metaphysical concerns of man and create conditions for experiencing the divine presence.

The stone bridges of Vrysochori

Of the 19 stone bridges of the village that have been recorded, today only six survive, located inside and outside the village:

The bridge of Skarvena is built just outside the village of Vrysochori, next to the provincial road that connects central Zagori with Palioseli and the other villages of Konitsi, in Lakka Aou.

The bridge of Garanis inside the settlement, the bridge of Kοuitsa a small beautiful bridge at the entrance of the village, the bridges of Siannos two small single-arched bridges next to each other in Vrysochori, the bridge of Tsamare (=big) and the bridge of Tzanika (=small).

Source: TΑ ΠΕΤΡΙΝΑ ΓΕΦΥΡΙΑ ΤΟΥ ΒΡΥΣΟΧΩΡΙΟΥ (Αδαμάντιος Τσιομίδης «Τα νέα του Βρυσοχωρίου» τεύχος 102)

Celebrations, Events and Customs in Vrysochori

The active Educational and Mountaineering Association (M.O.S.) founded in 1970 is active by organizing celebrations and events so that the visit of guests and other visitors is pleasant.

The festivals that are celebrated and gather people are: the Festival of Agia Paraskevi on July 26-28 and the Festival of the Holy Trinity at the beginning of June in the monastery of the same name.

The Association also established the Pie Festival. It is a beautiful cultural event and celebration that started in 1991 and continues to this day. Every first Saturday of the third ten days of August, the women of the village make pies that they offer to those present and the program of course includes the traditional feast in the village square.

Theschure

An important, original and unique custom is “THESHOURE”. It is dedicated to the male dead of the village. It is, in a way, an invitation, made with the purpose of honoring the people who have left, bringing back their names aurally to memory and finally reminding the living of the cruel, fatal and inevitable course of man.

Theshure takes place in the square of the church of Agios Charalambos and from the bell tower, which is the tallest of the other two bell towers of the village. The bell can be heard in a very long distance and the location in the Eastern part of the village dominates the entire area. The custom takes place every year during Holy Week, specifically on the afternoon of Holy Monday, Holy Tuesday and Holy Wednesday. It starts about an hour before sunset and ends shortly after sunset.

Source: ΘΕΣΧΟΥΡΕ, Τα Νέα του Βρυσοχωρίου, Αρ. φ. 82, Ευτυχία Οικονόμου – Γεωργοπούλου

The Fairy Fountain

From time immemorial, the power of water and the beauty of nature have been the catalyst for humans and have enlivened their imagination by creating myths with ethereal creatures, the fairies. The myths want them beautiful and inaccessible, but in the end they prove to be vulnerable to love and end up succumbing to the love of handsome and brave men, preferably of royal descent. Why not?A myth can have love, money, and blue bloods. Such a beautiful place as the Fairy Fountain at the roots of Tsuka Rossa could not but have its own fairies.

And as narrated in his book “Vrysochori” by Nikolaos Exarchos, according to the mythical tradition of the village from ancient times at the roots of the mountain is the ravine called Aboutsia in paraphrase of the Vlach word Amoutsa which means fainting.

Up there on the rock a spring gushes. At this point, always according to the legend, the hunters set a trap for wild goats and at the same time they saw the fairies that lived in the caves and went down to the stream and under the waterfall they bathed and spread their headscarves on the stones to dry.

At one point there was only one fairy left, the others may have left that place. At that time the son of the king of Epirus – yes, yes the prince – was looking for his lost sister in the mountains of the area. Arriving at the stream he saw the fairy bathing and rushed to catch her. The prince continued reaching the fountain that exists today. There he finally managed to catch her and finally make her his wife. And as the legend ends, instead of his sister, he found a wife and even a fairy. And they lived well and we were left with the curiosity of what happened to the sister.

The hiking trail with a few difficult passages but on an amazing path in dense vegetation leads to this famous fountain that gushes icy water.

Activities

The location of Vrysochori is suitable for many wonderful hiking, hiking or car routes. There are so many that we list some of them. Very nice route by car is to Gyftokampos, Skamneli and Laista and farther to the villages of Lakka tou Aoos (Paleoselli, Elefthero, Pades, etc.). For the climbers, the peaks of Tymfi (Gamila, Tsouka Rossa) stand up challenging and inviting.

There are many hiking trails, difficult and easy. For the most adventurous and lovers of wild rivers is the crossing of the gorge of Aoos to the Bridge of Konitsa, a very difficult route, since from this point to the Monastery of Stomiou in several places there is not even a path and one must swim to continue its course. Information can be obtained from the Educational and Mountaineering Association of the village.

<p>The post Tribute to Vrysochori: Gazing at the wonderful Tsouka Rossa first appeared on Epirus Explorer.</p>

In the 1361 chrysobull it is mentioned as a large and rich settlement (Sudena = sudis, cold), which thanks to its fertile plateau and the Kalamas valley (Today Kalpaki) it was the granary of Zagori.

History and Information

Excavations in the plain of the settlement with its six stone wells and the “royal road” that runs through it, brought to light the ancient graveships of the 1st and 2nd centuries, the findings of which are kept in the archaeological museum of Ioannina. Some time between the 15th and 16th centuries, some of its inhabitants, along with residents from the nearby village (Ano Pedina 1 km), moved from the Ottomans to the Peloponnese. There, in Kalavryta, Achaia, in an area where the relief of the land is similar to their place of origin, they establisedh the Upper and Lower Sudena (today’s name Ano-Kato Lousoi) of the Peloponnese.

Kato Pedina is built amphitheatrically on three hills. It met great development from the late 16th to the middle of the 20th century. At the time, the largest network was built in the area, warehouses and wells were also built, a fan-shaped community network of cobbled paths and paths was constructed and schools and temples were erected in and near the village.

The decline of the settlement began with the end of the war and it was completed in the 1960s. In spite of the adversities, the settlement during the summer months is full of life, preserving its stone-made form with several reconstructed houses, with its very lively traditional main café / restaurant open all year round, with important cultural activities every summer.

What to see in Kato Pedina

The settlement, despite not having the traffic of the other villages, does not cease to be beautiful and in summer it is full of people. Most of the houses are abandoned, but several have been reconstructed.

The square, which is in the center has a very nice cafe/restaurant and in the summer there are cultural events in the village. Also, the organization of artistic events and cultural events such as the week of cinema seminars every June/July (zagoriwood) and the traditional festival on August 29 with a top event in the week of open cinema held in the central square every August also attract visitors.

A summer and beautiful image is also the afternoon ride on the main road between the village and the plain shortly before sunrise. The end is of course to the village square until late hours.

It is worth seeing:

The church of Taxiarches, which has been characterized as one of the 350 best preserved landscapes of Greece, “a special natural beauty”. The temple appears to have been erected for the first time in the 14th century and it was completely restored in 1611/12. Since 1749 it has frescoes with the ancient Greek philosophers, crafted by Anastasios II Kapesovitis.

The church of Agios Athanasios, a three-aisled basilica with a dome with arched galleries on the north and south side and wood-carved icon screen and icons.

The Girls’ Building (Parthenagogeion) (1910).

<p>The post Kato Pedina – One of the oldest Zagorochoria first appeared on Epirus Explorer.</p>

What’s more, it is located at the boundary of the Vikos – Aoos National Park and therefore it is considered to be one of the most beautiful villages of Zagori. Since it is surrounded by mountains it is visible to the visitors only when they approach it close enough.

Furthermore, it is located 48 km from the capital of the prefecture, Ioannina, while the nearest other village is Agios Minas at a distance of 2.5 km. It also has easy communication with Papigo and Vikos.

Its old name, Arsista, of Albanian origin, refers to a kind of grass, shrub or tree.

About Aristi

Aristi was one of the largest settlements in the region, especially between the 17th and 19th centuries. It had a substantial economic contribution of dozens of local immigrants from Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania.

Of the 800 people who lived in the village in the beginning of the previous century, today there are about 80. The war has contributed to the devastation of this village as well other villages of Zagori.

In the recent years, however, the tourism recovery has resulted in the heirs of the old mansions returning and operating the large mansions as traditional hotels.

In the square of the village, you will be impressed by the imposing church of the Dormition of the Virgin with its high bell tower, the old fountain and the stone-built cobblestone streets that you will walk on.

Its beauty, along with its very good tourist infrastructure, as well as the easy access to many of the area’s attractions have made Aristi to one of the most popular destinations in Zagori.

What to see

Route from Aristi to Klidonia

People who love hiking can follow the path that starts from Aristi and leads to the Kleidonia bridge. The distance is 5km and the hiking time is about 2 to 2.30 hours. In the middle of the course you will find the monastery of Agioi Anargyroi of Kleidonia (Klidoniavistas), built in 1658. The sign shows the way and the steps that lead to the old and abandoned church. The catholic of the monastery well as the beautiful hagiographies on the walls are in good conditions. The monastery is a historic listed monument.

On the day of the Feast of Saint Anargyri Kosmas & Damianos (July 1st), it becomes operational and a picturesque traditional feast takes place on the shore of Voidomatis under the ancient plane trees.

Voidomatis, at the point of the bridge

Leaving Aristi and taking the road to Papigo at 3 km, we reach the river and the narrow, aristocratic bridge of Aristi. This bridge was the first concrete block built in Greece in 1923 and it was funded by the inhabitants of Papingo. Next, we park right on the plateau below the plane trees and we are in one of the most beautiful corners of mountainous Greece.

Lovers of hiking can follow the path that starts from Aristi and leads to the Kleidonia bridge, after three and a half hours.

Voidomatis bridge on the way to Papingo is the starting point for rafting of difficulty II grade which lasts 1 to 2 hours, ending at Voidomatis bridge in Klidonia. The descent of the river can be done either by kayak or monoraft.

Voidomatis is a small tributary of Aoos about 15 km long and it is the cleanest river in Europe. The clarity of the waters is impressive. Their clarity in deep places and their purity is largely due to the fact that the river is entirely within the Vikos Aoos National Park. The park was proclaimed in 1973 to protect the sensitive flora and fauna of the area.

Kleidonia Bridge

It is a large single-arched bridge built in 1853 by Mishios, funded by Balkiz Chanoum, the wife of Malik Pasha, who donated 37,000 pots. It is a monotone with successive united arcades for parasols and it joins the two banks of the river Voidomatis, from where it acquired its second name. It is considered to be of excellent construction. Previously the inhabitants moved from western Zagori to Konitsa via the bridge.

At this point of the river, there was an older bridge from the Byzantine years that was connected to a murder that took place between two families in the area and resulted in the abandonment of an entire village. Two large and rich families collided for a price issue on the bridge.
The bridge has been declared a historic listed monument. In the area of the bridge there are activities such as rafting, kayaking, hiking and climbing.

<p>The post Aristi – One of the most popular villages in Zagorochoria first appeared on Epirus Explorer.</p>

About the village

It is a beautiful village, in the green, with lots of water, beautiful gardens and fruit trees. Historically, it belongs to the cultural units of Middle Zagori and the villages of the Valley of the Zagoritikos River (Lakka, Zagori). It has some old houses but does not have the traditional color waiting to be seen in a Zagorohori, because in the recent past it was burned twice completely. For the first time in 1912 by the Turks and second in 1943 by the Germans.

We do not know when the original settlement was created, nor why it got its old name, which had various variants, such as Liaskovetsi, Liaskovitsi, Lisakovikon, Lisakovikion, Lisakovets, Lieskoviki. However, the Vlachs were dominating with their particular character and the Vlach language, which was spoken in these regions and also the settlement existed prior to the conquest of the Turks (1430).

Later, however, it was dismantled by the frequent prey raids of Karamourates and Koloniates, and many residents were forced to leave the settlement and seek shelter mainly in Megalo Papigo. (brackets: The Karamouratates and the Koloniates were Arvanitian genders that in the 17th century were paralyzed, equipped and turned into persecutors and robbers of the productive villages. The destruction of most villages is also dated at this period).

From 1732 onwards, residents from the surrounding villages as well as Northern Epirus began to settle. Among them was the great Exarchou family whose member was Pantazis Exarchou who was great man. In the period 1750-1830 the village had a great commercial, financial and intellectual progress, having a Greek school since 1780 and counting 607 inhabitants according to the data of the Ottoman Statistics.

What to see in and around Leptokarya

Churches

Agios Athanasios: At the highest point of the village. An old church, which, according to an inscription, was built in 1859.

Agios Nikolaos: A little further from the central square, next to the school with which it shares the courtyard. It is a three-aisled royal basilica with a strange hagiathi, where the bell tower is, all covered with gray stone, while the floor of both the Katholikon and the Hagiati is lower. Two chronologies are carved in the lintel of the entrance of the Katholikon; one (1771) refers to the founding of the temple and the other (1812) to the hagiography by Anastasios Anagnostou from Tsepelovo. On the inside there is a nice wood carved icon screen, different from other wood carvings (pulpit, despotic throne, etc.), decorated with ivory.

Agios Anastasios

Stone bridges

There are seven stone bridges, three inside and four outside the settlement.

Activities

The village is located in the main zone of the protected area of ​​Pindos National Park and offers excellent hiking trails in forest paths, easy or difficult, close or distant, depending on your strengths. In its forests there are bears and wild boars nesting.

Events

On the 26th of July, in Agia Paraskevi, every year there is a feast of the village, where all expatriate Leptokaryotes have the opportunity to meet. On this occasion the Cultural Association of Leptokaria, “TO LIASKOVETSI”, organizes other events (music, exhibitions, etc.).

Nowadays, there are very few permanent residents, who gather in the evenings at the village’s unique cafe, which serves tsipouro, coffee and local sweets. On July 26, in Agia Paraskevi, every year there is a feast, where all the expatriate Leptokaryotes have the chance to meet.

<p>The post Leptokarya – A beautiful mountain settlement first appeared on Epirus Explorer.</p>