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>

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>

It is one of the best preserved Zagorohoria with its authentic architecture.

This is mainly due to its characterization as a preservable settlement, which means that only restorations and reconstructions of old buildings are allowed. However, like all the mountain villages, it is slowly being deserted while the few inhabitants are engaged in livestock and tourism.

About the village

Its old name was Sopotseli, which means a place with plenty of water because the village had many wells with clean water.

According to Lampridis, after the conquest of Ioannina by the Turks in 1430, Sopotseli and many other villages signed the treaty of subjugation (or the Treaty of Vinikos), which granted them privileges (autonomy, self-government, partial tax exemption, etc.). However things were still difficult, Turkish taxes were heavy, there were many raids and robberies taking place, resulting in many men moving to foreign lands to improve their own lives, their families and their place. With their money they built better houses and helped the village do great.

Its progress was so big that until the end of the 19th century there was a Greek school, female and male schools, as well as scientists practicing the profession of doctor. In 1895, the figures mentioned in the then Ottoman Statistics (Salname) show that the population had reached 439 inhabitants.

In 1927 Sopotseli took the name Ambelies and in 1928 it changed with the present Dilofon, from its position between two hills.

World War II found the village still with several inhabitants (about 140), but the hardships, the later Civil War, and the immigration of young people into the big cities brought desolation. However, Dilofo managed to keep its traditional architecture intact and for this reason, in 1969, it was declared a historic listed monument with a special natural beauty that resulted in the restoration and reconstruction of the old buildings.

Unfortunately, today these beautiful buildings are almost all empty, since the permanent residents are very few.

What to see in Dilofo

The most beautiful part is the central square in the middle of the village, which leads to a very nice wide central cobbled road. It is a small beautiful square with a huge plane tree, which is said to number 4 centuries of life and is considered to be a natural monument.

The three main paved cobbled streets leading to the three counties, Pano, Kato and Pera Mahala begin their route from this plane tree. They are quite wide and on the side there are huge walls that hide the courtyards of the houses from the eyes of the passers-by.

As a preservable settlement there are several traditional buildings, arround 70. Some of them are dilapidated, some renovated, others in moderate or good condition, while 10 are inhabited.

From the mansions the ones that stand out are:

• The mansion of Kleo Milkotti built in 1880 which is preserved in a very good condition thanks to the care of the owner
• The mansion of George Vakolas, just above the square
• The  one of Palaios built in the 19th century
• and the house of Makropoulos or else House of Loumidis.

The last one is at the entrance of the village and is the tallest in Zagori. The first floor has a height of 13.5m. It is built of chipped stone and it has nice views of the surrounding villages and mountains, especially towards Koukouli. Not without reason.

Tradition says that once a woman from Koukouli married a rich man from Dilofo and came to live here, but she felt intense nostalgia for her village. Therefore, her husband built the house so high that she could see her village from her windows and not dwindle. The house was built in the middle of the 19th century by G. Makropoulos, who was a merchant in Asia Minor, but later on the property was passed on to the well-known Loumidis family.

Near the village there are also two stone bridges:

The Bridge of St. Minas: a small one-arched bridge under Dilofo, built next to the homonym small church. It bridges Xeropotamos and it is unknown when and from whom it was built.

Captain Arkoudas’ Bridge: On the way from Ioannina to Kipi and before the bridge of Kokoros we meet it on our left hand. It was built in 1806 with the support of Jewish Solomon Matsili. Its original names were “the bridge of the Jew” or “the bridge of Xeropotamos”. But when it was destroyed and rebuilt with money offered by Xanthis Lavdas it became known as the “bridge of Lavdas”.

On August 6, 1906, the Ottoman authorities assassinated at that point the Samarinian chieftain Giorgos Alibidatos, known as Captain Arkoudas. Since then in honor of the heroic Captain, his name was given to the bridge, a name that has prevailed since the beginning of the 20th century.

You can also visit the church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, a great impressive stone church near the square built in 1850 and renovated in 1897 after a fire that destroyed it completely.

Finally, Anagnostopouleios School in the Central Square behind the plane tree are among the attractions that impress.

The activities vary, since Dilofo is located in the main zone of the North Pindos National Park. Tours and trips to nearby villages, visiting bridges and ravines are unique experiences.

<p>The post Dilofo – In one of the most beautiful Zagorochoria first appeared on Epirus Explorer.</p>

History and Information

It is unknown when the village was first founded. Ruins of Pelasgian walls in the area west of the village, in Paleokastro, near the monastery of Agia Paraskevi, testify to habitation since prehistoric times.

According to Lampridis, there used to be 7 villages with 800 houses together with Skamneli, which were destroyed after raids. Part of the inhabitants fled to Moschopoli where they formed a settlement called Skamnelia, others fled to Sopiki and others to Molista. Those who stayed in the area merged and formed two districts, Skamneli and Gardiki, separated from each other by a pit. But the residents of Gardiki moved elsewhere.

Source: Ζαγοριακά, Ι. Λαμπρίδης, page 86

The toponym probably comes from the surname Skamnelis.

The village experienced many robberies (1837, 1879, 1881). In 1881 Apostolaki’s gang of 17 robbers hit the houses of doctor Dim. Frangoulis, of G. Volonasis and I. Tsoia, took as hostages the wives of three and a child whom they released after collecting the ransom they demanded. In 1912 the Turks burned it down.

Πηγή: https://izagori

The Vlachs with their special character dominated here from long ago and the Vlach language was spoken in these areas.

In the period 1750-1830 the village showed great economic, intellectual and demographic growth, so much so that already in 1780 a Greek and co-educational school was operating here, as well as a school for girls. Many of the men who migrated mainly to the Danubian regions became rich.

In 1912 the village was completely burned by the Turks, which is why many of the mansions were completely destroyed. Despite this, there are quite a few old mansions, stone-built paths and squares.

What to see in Skamneli

The village has several beautiful mansions and cobbled streets. The square with the big plane tree must once have gathered people. Proof is the old grand hotel which is empty and falling into disrepair.

Churches & Monasteries:

• Agia Paraskevi: Monastery at the edge of the village. The exterior of the catholicon has very nice frescoes (1773), works by the famous painters from Kapesovo and Hioniades. The monastery used to flourish but now it is deserted.
• Saints Apostles Peter and Paul (1793): Old church in the square.
• St Nikolaos: Monastery at the entrance of the village, next to the road where the village cemetery is today. It has been declared a historical preserved monument.
• Dormition of the Virgin: Old church in the village.

Paleokastro (or Palaiokastro) (Acropolis): On the hill above the Monastery of St. Paraskevi. Ruins of probably Pelasgian walls built to control the passes to Macedonia and Thessaly.

Four stone bridges within the settlement still serve the residents:

• The bridge Agia Triada at the northwest end of Skamneli a few meters before the chapel of Agia Triada,
• The bridge in Lindzeto in Skamneli that bridges the stream of the same name, of Sagiannos and
• The bridges in Panagia next to the church of Panagia.

A fifth one, the Bridge of Kir Alexis, is double-arched and is located outside the village.

Activities

A few kilometers after Skamneli and on the road to Gyftokambos is the place Bokovo with the amazing view of the Havos gorge. A small uphill slope leads you to a unique viewpoint of the verdant vertical chasm of Havos. Between the two beautiful peaks of Kousta and Koziako passes the Skamneliotiko stream.

Skamneli has a suitable infrastructure for overnight accommodation and food.

The local festival is organized every year around the day of celebration of Saint Paraskevi on July 26. It starts on the eve and ends the next day.

<p>The post Skamneli – Old mansions and stone-built paths first appeared on Epirus Explorer.</p>

About the village

According to the blogspot Ellinika Xwria, outside the village there are traces of ancient wall discovered, which bears witness to its history. Also, in the center of the village there is one of the most interesting monuments of Zagori. It is the church of St. Nicholas which was build in 1793. Its unique murals inside it were made by famous painters from Kapesovo with clear western influences.

Furthermore, these artists painted countless temples or icons and gild many temples in northern Greece. They were educated professional painters with an absolute division of labor.

What’s more, three artistic families were active until the early 19th century when the Mpogas name appeared for Kapesovo painters because of the paint they used.

Moreover, Kapesovo is the homeland of Noutsos Alexis (General Provost of Zagoria and Ioannina, consultant of Ali Pasha and member of the Friendly Society). It is also the homeland of Ioannoutsos Karamesinis (provost of Zagoria who also had power and influence in Turks and Christians).

Today the residents are involved in the production of traditional products such as honey, dairy products, derivatives of the grape as must cookies, zmpeki (nut to rope with jelly), liqueurs, spoon sweets, spices etc.

Finally, in recent years, many inhabitants work in tourism and have created several traditional accommodation units as well as shops with food.

What to see

One can see the mansions including the Paschaleios School with its rare books and folklore museum (among the exhibits there is also one of the few – three or according to some others four – original copies of the Charter of Rigas Belestinli).

The village is a short distance from Vikos Gorge. In some parts in Kapesovo, the view towards the gorge is panoramic. Also, what is remarkable is the stone path that connects Kapesovo with the neighboring Vradeto (The Stairs of Vradeto).

Kapesovo is a beautiful and traditional village that can be the base for your excursions in the area of Zagorochoria.

<p>The post Kapesovo – In a beautiful landscape with rocky volumes first appeared on Epirus Explorer.</p>

The village is known since 1361 and it is mentioned in the bull of Serbian ruler Simeon. Indeed, Simeon recognised to John Tsafas Oursinis the possession of extensive areas in Epirus. However, it is unknown when it was originally built.

Furthermore, the name comes from the Slavic «bezati» which means run or rapidly flow and the conclusion -ica. The two districts Vitsa and Monodendri were a community called Bezitsa and later Veitsa, Vitsa and Vitses. This was before the conquest of the continent by the Turks and until 1753.

Vitsa, Zagorochoria

The square of the village

Walking in the village

Walking in the village

Vitsa

About the village

According to the post graduate essay of Mrs. Anastasia Christodoulou, during the reign of the Despot, in 1361, Bezitsa was given as a fief to the Duke John Tsafos Oursinos. This happened after the bull of Serbian Despot Simeon Palaiologos.

What’s more, at the place”Genitsari” between community regions Vitsa and Monodendri, there is one of the earliest settlements that has been discovered in the surrounding area. In fact, it dates from the mid 9th century BC till the end of the 4th century BC. Its inhabitants belonged to the tribe of Molossos and were mainly engaged in farming. (The Molossoi, Macedonian tribe, came from the area of the medium rum of Aliakmonas and prevailed in central Epirus, in the 12th century. BC).

There were also two adjacent cemeteries with 181 graves.

Finally, on July 27, 1943 the village was burned by the invaders resulting in the destruction of three houses, among which was one of the finest mansions of Zagori, the manor of Pantazis brothers known by the name Mansion “Velogiannis“.

Upper and lower Vitsa

The village is built amphitheatrically and it is divided into two neighborhoods. These are the Lower and Upper Vitsa. More specifically, the lower houses are located at 920 m. altitude and the tallest at 1,000 m. altitude. The permanent population in both neighborhoods along reaches approximately 100 inhabitants.

It is important to mention that Vitsa is designated by the State as a traditional settlement and is a typical example of the architectural structure of the villages of the region with the mansions, the stone streets, the many churches and the square with the big tree, an integral element of all the squares of the area. Finally, some important monuments are the church of the Assumption (1554), St. Nicholas (1619) and the Archangels (1607).

Activities

The celebration of the Assumption in August 15, the Halloween-known Jamal and the raki production in early November are modes of expression of local tradition and events organized by the local cultural association.

Also, many hiking paths with sufficient marking for easy routes start from Vitsa.

Enjoy the Zagorisian landscape, the architecture and the tradition in whatever way you want. One thing is certain: you will leave this place richer in images and experiences.

<p>The post Vitsa – In a beautiful scenery first appeared on Epirus Explorer.</p>

The village was built around 1360 AD. In 1965, between Vitsa and Monodendri, the most ancient settlement of Epirus was discovered with 2 cemeteries. What’s more, the findings are exhibited at the Archaeological Museum of Ioannina.

The square at Monodendri

Sunset at the village

Panoramic view towards the village Monodendri

Walking in the village

Monodendri

The view towards Monodendri

About Monodendri

It met great economic and commercial acne in the 18th and 19th centuries and many churches, schools and mansions were built by its benefactors.

In fact, many national benefactors came from Monodendri: the brothers Manthos and Georgios Rizaris, who distributed their unrivaled property they acquired in Russia for the establishment of an institution and through it the creation in 1844 of the homonymous historical Ecclesiastical School in Athens.

Also, thanks to the money from the Rizari brothers’ legacy, there is a craft school functioning today where you can see or buy beautiful woven and embroidery works today. In Monodendri there is also the Rizarios Exhibition Center, which hosts remarkable international art exhibitions such as Bresson, Boissonas and others. Today, at the Rizari Brothers’ home, the Primary School is housed.

From Monodendri also came the “father of Greek agriculture” Spyros Hassiotis, the first mayor of Athens Ioannis Koniaris, the founder of pediatric science in our country Anastasios Zinnis, the great Hellenist Dimitrios Semitelos and other eminent men.

What to see in and around Monodendri

In Monodendri there are seven churches, with the oldest ones being the monastery of Agia Paraskevi (1412 AD), Agios Minas (1625 AD), the monastery of Prophet Elias (1464 AD) and the central church of Agios Athanasios (1801 AD).

Monodendri, due to its location and the tourist infrastructure, is claiming a place in the most beautiful and visited villages of Zagori. Moreover, it was one of the first and old villages that were developed in tourism.

The Stone Forest: On the way to Oxya, you will also find the Stone Forest. These are limestone rock formations that cause admiration. They are made out of stone slabs, one above the other, which seems to have been placed by a human hand. They are between 160 and 35 million years old. Corrosion from rain and wind has brought this effect.

<p>The post Monodendri – A beautiful village with rich history first appeared on Epirus Explorer.</p>

About the monastery

The monastery is also accessible from the village Ag. Minas (eg 1 km) and from the old bridge of Kleidonia, but with a more difficult and farther hiking. It is also preserved from the village of Aristi.

Due to the lack of space it is built on different levels connected with acres stone stairs. In the Catholic there are two architectural styles: a single-room basilica with a dome on the east and a cross-shaped temple (with a cross-shaped roof) to the west. There are other rooms, basements and crypts, one of which goes out into the river.

According to Iliochori Blogspot, the whole building is in perfect harmony with the surrounding area and some of the cells and auxiliary spaces are built in such a way that they incorporate parts of the rock. It is built at a strategic point for the region and during the Ottoman domination many residents, when they were at risk from the Turks, found shelter in it. The monastery, at that time, had considerable fortunes and maintained several of the schools in the surrounding villages. The fortress of the monastery was expropriated by the Turks and shortly before liberation it was plundered by the Turk-Albanians. The earthquake of 1897 completed the destruction. The monastery is now closed, but it is kept in a very good condition.

The monastery of Spiliotissa has been declared a historic monument.

Do not miss the climb in the steep but distinct small path leading to the bell tower. From there the view of the plantain, Astraka and the river is fantastic.

<p>The post Spiliotissa – An interesting monastery built on a rock first appeared on Epirus Explorer.</p>

Μπάλτα ντι Στρίγκα στα βλάχικα σημαίνει «η οβίρα (μικρή λίμνη) της κραυγής». Ο μύθος λέει για μια γυναίκα που πηδώντας στον καταρράκτη για να αυτοκτονήσει έβγαλε μια δυνατή κραυγή που ακούστηκε μέχρι το χωριό.

Ακολουθώντας το σηματοδοτημένο μονοπάτι από την πλατεία του χωριού φτάνει κανείς έπειτα από 30 λεπτά εύκολης διαδρομής στους εντυπωσιακούς καταρράκτες. Η πορεία 1050 μ. είναι εύκολη σε ένα καλά διατηρημένο και προσεγμένο μονοπάτι και μέσα σε ένα υπέροχο τοπίο.

Τέλος, η τοπική κοινότητα έχει μεριμνήσει και κατασκευάσει πέτρινα παγκάκια ενώ έχει διαμορφώσει το μέρος ώστε να μπορείς να καθίσεις και να α

<p>The post The remarkable waterfalls of Balta Di Stringa first appeared on Epirus Explorer.</p>