History and Information

The area of the village, as it appears from the findings, has been inhabited since the Copper Age. The raids of the Slavs in the lowlands during the 7th century forced the inhabitants to ascend and settle in the mountains and inaccessible locations for greater security. Somewhere between 10th-12th c. the Vlach-speaking Greeks, mainly breeders who lived a half-life, appeared in the area.

Kalarrytes Today

Today Kalarrytes is a typical mountain village that fortunately has not deserted like other villages and there is life even in the winter. The permanent residents are about 15-20 people, most retirees. In the summer, however, it is filled with people, both by the visitors and by the migrated who have repaired their homes and are visiting their homeland.

The inhabitants are mainly engaged in livestock and tourism. In the village, we should bear in mind that cars are not in circulation, because its cobblestone cannot be mistreated. In the center of the village on the beautiful paved square that is also the center of community life, there is a huge plane tree and the large stairs reminiscent of a theater and serve as a seat for spectators when celebrations and events are held.

What to see in and around Kalarrytes

The sights of the village include the mansions of: Voulgaris, Bazakis, Barboutis, Nessis, Tourtouris, Paraschis, Patouni, Raftanis, Baikousis, Kostadimas. Of these, others are preserved and others dilapidated.

Architecture

Kalarrytes is a proclaimed traditional settlement. Along with neighboring Syrrako are the only villages that keep this architecture unchanged in the south of the prefecture of Ioannina. The gray stone of the place is also the basic building material and the wood from Pramanta and Melissourgoi. The transfer was carried out with animals (mules), which was very expensive. The same is true today when residents want to maintain or build new homes. The same happens today when residents want to maintain or build new homes.

The architecture is simple and strict and the windows feature blue, green or brown colors with interior wooden shutters due to the cold winter. The Kalarrytian residence, like all in the Epirus area, is usually two-storey or three-storey, with auxiliary spaces on the ground floor. On the upper floor(anogi) there are the accommodation and reception rooms, the winter (ontas) with the fireplace made of porous stone and with broad sofas covered with woolen woven and the summer one (hotziares).

The village gets water from several beautiful stone fountains built with traditional architecture.

Bridges

The Bridge of Kouiasa

It is a stone one-arched bridge on the road that goes up to the village, in the homonymous location, at 742m. altitude, over the Kalarrytiko River and in a very nice natural landscape in its ravine. Unfortunately, dense vegetation makes it almost invisible. It is accessible by a small path (there is a sign on the road). It has foundations in the rock and an auxiliary arched opening.

It was built in 1800, unknown by whom, with money offered by Kalarrytes to be able to pass their caravans. Some maintenance works have been done since the bridge has been damaged by landslides. Quite above the bridge is a restored watermill with mantani and dristella (constructions with a large wooden bucket in which water is dropped from above by pressure and in which clothes, carpets or covers are placed for cleaning).

Filos Bridge

It is a stone single-arched bridge at 749m. altitude above Kalarrytikos river, next to the road to Kalarrytes. It has a relief opening and a low parapet on its sides. It was built in 1908 by the master builder Filos from Agnanta, hence the name. It is kept in good condition, although without any repair or maintenance. It is located on the road to Kalarrytes near an iron bridge Bailey type and there is a sign on it.

Raftanis Bridge

It is a two-arched bridge with a relief opening between the arches. It is located under the monastery of Kipina and is one of the oldest bridges of Arachthos.

It bridges the Kalarrytikos River and its name, as the Bridge of the Station, is due to the Greek military penitentiary that existed there until 1912. The financier of the construction seems to have been the abbot Kallinikos of the monastery of Kipina.

Karlibou Bridge

One-arched bridge in the homonymous location at 750m. altitude, above the homonymous stream that is poured into Kalarrytikos river. Affordable with a small path that starts from the main road and continues for the Vyliza Monastery near the village Matsouki. It is kept in good condition, although without any repair or maintenance, but it has been drowned by vegetation. The name Karlibοu is of Vlach origin and refers to the crook (glitsa) that is necessary for the crossing of the gorge. There were old mantania and watermills but they have not been saved.

Churches, Monasteris and Chapels

Agios (Saint) Nikolaos (patron of the village)

It is a large three-aisled basilica with impressive dome. It is unknown when it was built but after the destruction of 1821 it was remarkably repaired by the repatriates. It is a triune church and the three aisles are dedicated to Agios Nikolaos (central), Agios Charalampos (right) and Agioi Pantes (left).

Moni Kipinas

On the road to Kalarrites, high on a sheer cliff about 40 meters tall and above the gorge carved by the Kalarritikos River, there lies an unseen religious treasure. The Kipina Monastery, dedicated to the Dormition of the Theotokos, is literally embedded in the rock, offering an unobstructed view of the surrounding peaks. According to the founder’s inscription, it was built in 1349 and belongs to the small settlement of Mystras (formerly Armporousi or Armporisi).

Activities

Starting from the easiest: Walking through the village and the nearby paths, fishing of wild red trout in Kalarrytiκos River and swimming in its clean but frozen waters. There are also difficult but impressive: Hiking routes and mountaineering in the nearby locations of Mount Lakmos that rises above the village, climbing to the mountain pastures of the village and to the highlands of Verliga Lake of the third legendary dragon lake of Pindos.

Also a very beautiful (a bit tiring) route is the crossing of the path (about 3 km) that connects the two villages of Kalarrytes-Syrrako for centuries.

With your car you can cross the Baros passage and reach Anthousa and Chaliki and the other villages of the Aspropotamos area.

Floating downhill rides in the Kalarrytikos and Arachthos rivers is a unique experience for the lovers of these activities. Besides, there are offices that organize such activities.

Accommodation

In recent years the settlement has been developing tourism. The old mansions have been restored and transformed into stylish guesthouses combining traditional architectural character with a comfortable stay.

Food

In a mountainous area, family-run taverns maintain traditional cuisine with traditional recipes and main products are forage (famous for grilled and cooked meats). A nice specialty is the nanes (wild grass that grows on mountains after the snow) with fried feta (Greek cheese), oil and a little garlic.  Also famous and delicious are the eEpiruspies such as grass-pies, cheese- pies, milk-pies, rice-pies, batsaria (a varietal grassh-pie with dough of corn flour).  And of course wild trout from the river, local tsipouro and wine.

<p>The post Kalarrytes – The beautiful traditional village 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>

What’s more, it is a typical traditional village, a model of traditional architecture with stone houses, cobbled streets, churches, stone fountains and public buildings, which are creations of renowned craftsmen. Together with the neighboring Kalarrytes they are the only villages that keep this architecture unchanged in the south of the prefecture of Ioannina.

About Syrrako

It is located at an altitude of 1200 meterseast of Ioannina and at a distance of 52 km. The historic settlement is built at the foot of Mount Peristeri (Lakmos) on the pristine slopes of Prixa. It is separated from the Kalarrytes with a deep ravine, of unparalleled beauty, flowing through the river Chrousia or Kalarrytikos, a tributary of Arachthos, and is, due to its dry and healthy climate, an ideal place for a summer residence.

History and Information

This federation belonged to the powerful Valide Sultana (mother of the Sultan) to whom they paid high taxes but at the same time enjoyed privileges (autonomy, self-government, independence, freedom of religion, tax breaks, school operation, religious freedom). Therefore, the village began to experience great acne that peaked in the early 18th century and reached the point of attracting residents of other neighboring villages who came and settled here.

At the beginning they began trading in livestock products (milk cheeses, leather etc.). Later, they developed a small woolen production industry using wool from sheep in the surrounding meadows (somewhere between 50,000 and 60,000 sheep and goats at that time).

The fabrics were used to make different clothes but the thick, full-bodied and waterproof capes were what distinguished them and they were so good, warm and resilient that they were in demand both domestically and abroad, especially by seafarers and soldiers. It is said that a great customer was also Napoleon who dressed his army with them.

Their engagement in this profession resulted in the creation of a new class of merchants that was not limited to the boundaries, from which emerged a rising class of scholars and benefactors whose key contribution to national awakening and revolution was decisive. At the same time, they had also developed popular handicrafts (painting, woodcarving, silversmiths, goldsmiths, etc.) as well as the art of stone.

The inhabitants of Syrrako and Kalarrytes had established merchant houses in major European cities, such as Livorno and Trieste, since the mid-17th century., since the two villages were centers for the export trade of the neighboring villages.

It was therefore expected that this commercial move would bring to the village significant wealth, prosperity, education and culture.

Syrrako and Kalarrytes were the only villages of Epirus that took part in the Greek Revolution from the first years. Unfortunately, the two villages were unable to cope with the powerful Turkish troops, which ravaged and burned everything. Total destruction. This was the beginning of the end of great prosperity.

The inhabitants left to save themselves and to live in other parts in Greee and abroad. The Turks, who were repentant because they had lost the trench from the wealth of both villages, issued an order one year later (1822) promising amnesty and security to those who would return.

But no one trusted their promises, so four years later (1826) they issued a second order with the same promise. (Both these orders are saved in the archives of the Kalarrytes community). Most of them stayed in the places where they had fled to and only some bold men returned in 1827. These men built the turbulent settlement again and the area began to flourish. In the 1913 census, Syrrako numbered 3,500 inhabitants. The decline in the early 20th century was due to the decline in demand for woolen fabrics.

In February 1881, with the Berlin Treaty (1/13 July 1878), Thessaly and part of Epirus were annexed to Greece by a new frontier line, the rivers Arachthos and Kalarrytikos. As a result, Syrrako remained in Turkey, unlike Kalarrytes, Matsouki, and Arta who went to freed Greece. So the two villages, Kalarrytes and Syrrako, belonged to different states, which somehow prevented the trade between Epirus and Thessaly. The independence of the area was conquered on 23/11/1919.

World War II and its disasters, and later the Civil War, resulted in the desolation of the place. It was difficult to live in an inaccessible place, without roads, without electricity, without other facilities, and especially without the great activity and profits that it had in the past. So it is left with a few permanent residents today.

Syrrako gave to Greece great men such as the poet Kostas Krystallis (1868-1894), Ioannis Kolettis (1774-1847), the first constitutional prime minister of Greece, George Zalokostas (1805-1858) poet and fighter of 1821.

Also the chieftains Katsikogiannis, Lepeniotis and others, the benefactors G. Yianniotis, S. Baltatzis, G. Ikkos and others, as well as many other men of letters, arts and commerce came from Syrrako.

What to see

The entire village is an attraction and it is not by chance that it has been characterized as preserved, something that you notice as soon as you look at it but also when you walk through its cobbled streets admiring the mansions with the arched entrances, the stone fountains and the churches.

Cars are left outside the settlement.

It is one of the places where man respects the tradition and the architecture of this place which works perfectly with nature.

Mansions

The impressive traditional architecture of the houses built almost all by the then famous masons and after the total destruction of the village (1821) by the Turks. They are two-storeyed or three-storeyed with thick walls (eg 70-90 cm thickness) to withstand the harsh climatic conditions and are all built of local gray limestone stone, with characteristic woodcuts on the walls and gray slate on the roofs. Some have built-in slabs, with the construction year, and some have the owner’s name. Today most of them have been restored by their owners. Some of them are:

The mansion of Avdikos Kostas: It was preserved in excellent condition by his grandaughter Erminia Photiadou (1923-2011), a well-known writer and folklorist with several distinctions, and it now houses the Folklore Museum, a creation of her, which she gave to Syrrako, donating also an apartment in Ioannina for it to cover its expenses. Here are all the objects of a traditional household: old authentic furniture, hand-woven, old photos (and the family’s), traditional costumes of the village, decorative and kitchen utensils, souvenirs from various countries, etc. But it works only in August or on the request of a visitor.

The mansion of Georgios Zalokostas Ch.: An old impressive mansion near the Dio Vrises. It has a built-in marble slab with the birth date of the poet (1805) and his participation in the fight of 1821.

The mansion of Dim. Crystallis: (Folklore Museum-Library): A magnificent mansion near the one of Zalokostas. Dim. Kristalis was a well-known big merchant of Ioannina but also a very friendly person. His houses, here and in Ioannina, were open to everyone, especially the captains. His son, the famous poet and novelist Kostas Krystallis (1868-1894), was born and spent his childhood here. Today, this mansion houses a Folklore Museum with personal poetry, the Library of Syrrako and the means of producing home-made cheese and textiles, while in the yard dominates the statue of Kostas Krystalis.

Stone Bridges:

Pounda Nouaoua or New Bridge: It is the first bridge we meet at the entrance of the village. It is a single arch with a flat deck and was built in 1800, but we do not know either the builder or the sponsor, since there is neither inscription nor oral testimony. It is kept in good condition, although without any repairs or maintenance. They named it like that as to distinguish it from the neighboring and older bridge. Next to it is the Fantanitsia tap (presumably from the Italian fontana that means a spring or tap).

Pounta Viaklia Bridge (old bridge) or Nik bridge: After the previous and at the entrance of the village, built in 1938 on an older one. In a close distance there is a watermill.

Bridge in Siopatos: A stone-made single-arch bridge that bridges the stream that starts from the Source of Siopatos and is poured into the Chrousia tributary of Kalarrytikos. It is located at the top of the village just below the ring road. It is unknown when and by whom it was built, but the money was given by the nuns to be able to go to the nearby Kalogretsi tap.

Springs – Fountains:

Dyo Vryses (which means two stone fountains): A nice vaulted building with two stone troughs, near Zalokostas Mansion. It was built in 1876 by the great merchant N. Palios.

Spring of Goura: Above the square, near Agios Nikolaos. It is a masterpiece of architecture, perhaps the best of the village covered by a large but lovely curved dome, made from the pumice stone “Gigonara”, the name of the site from which it was mined. The terraces are a later addition, apparently for practical reasons (eg touching the barrels, etc.), but they are definitely a disagreement and spoil the beautiful image of the source. Tradition says that here they found the image of St. Nicholas.

Spring of Condol: Above Goura: It has also been saved from the great destruction of 1821. It has two stone cubicles, built in the background and housed in a semicylindrical stone dome on which there is a garden!

School

In the center of the village. It is a large, impressive, three-story stone built of 1929 and it is one of the few buildings here that have a tin roof instead of the usual with slopes, unknown why. Once it was full of life and children’s voices, but unfortunately, since the 1970s people began to desert the village and therefore it stopped working. Today it houses the guesthouse “Syrrako”.

Inn (Chania)

This is how the two large stone-built sheds with benches located near Ag. Nicolaos and next to the tavern “Stavraetos” are called. They are of the few buildings that escaped the great destruction of the village (1821). Here, the inhabitants of the surrounding settlements were gathering and selling their merchandise, which was advertised by a deval who stood high up in the church of Panagia.

Churches – Monstaries:

Church of Panagia: Just above the square, with a nice view of the settlement and the gorge of Kalarrytikos. It is a large walled three-aisled basilica with a dome and a nice bell tower next to the arched gates. We do not know when it was built, it is certain that it existed in the Revolution of 1821 and it was one of the few buildings that was saved from the complete destruction.

Transformation of Savior

Prophet Elias: At 1200m. It is a beautiful stone-built church with a roof of schism. It was a female monastery, but when it was abandoned, it sheltered homeless people from Syrrako until 1940. The cells were destroyed. A little further up, towards the NE, under a nice plane tree, there is an old fountain of 1878.

Holy Church of St. Nicholas: St Nikolaos is the patron saint of the village and is the largest and most impressive building. The original church was built in the 17th century, but unfortunately, it was burned (except for the bell tower) by the Turks burning the village after the revolutionary movement of 1821. Thus it underwent a radical renovation, almost rebuilt in 1834, the date referring to a built- plaque on the outer wall of the sanctuary. A second fire later, this time inadvertently, again caused several disasters, so the church was renovated in 1900 and is what we see today.

Holy Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary: It is a three-aisled basilica with a dome and was probably built at the same time as the church of St Nikolaos (19th century). The portable icons of the temple are works by the priest Dimitrios Bogdanos (1837) and the precentor of the Metropolis of Ioannina Petros (1842). It also preserves large-scale chromolithography on canvas, with mixed Christian and hagiological scenes.

Church of Apostles Peter and Paul: It is located in the wider area of the settlement at an altitude of 1,900 meters.

Activities

The village itself is ideal for walks on the cobbled streets, although it is sometimes tiring because of its uphill, but it is very interesting and pleasant. The longest trail is the path that connects Syrrako with Kalarrytes going down to the Chorusia (Kalarrytikos) river. A traditional hiking trail, 4-4,5 km, on the helically-marked path that connects the two villages for centuries, which is part of the small international path 01. The path is sometimes smooth, sometimes steep, which makes it somewhat tiring for those who are not used to hiking. However, it is safe and the image of the landscape compensates for the above. Somewhere here, on the Syrrako side, there was a Turkish outpost since this village was released a long time after the opposite Kalarrytes.

But there are other hiking trails, mainly mountainous in different places, such as the chapel of St. Apostolos with the beautiful view or the nearby villages (Kalarrytes, Matsouki, etc.), as well as mountain climbs on the high mountain peaks or in mountainous locations, while some can be done on dirt roads with 4 x 4. It is necessary to have good physical strength, and in any case to be accompanied by experienced drivers for remote and unknown parts. But there are also alternative tourism companies that will informyou. Fishing for the frenzied fishermen is a delight, and certainly the floating downhill (somewhat difficult) in Kalarrytikos and Arachthos will raise your adrenaline.

Cultural events – Fairs:

On June 30th, a big feast is organized in the Temple of Apostles Peter and Paul.

Also feasts are held on: June 29 (Peter and Paul), July 20 (Prophet Elias), August 6 (Transformation of the Savior) and August 15 (Dormition of the Virgin), which last from one to three days.

Food – Flavors

Various pies and potatoes are considered to be traditional flavors of the area. Eggs, desserts, milk pies, meat pies, lasagne, sauerkrauts, pasta, batsaria (a mixture of wild peas of the season, between two layers of rich mulberry-based porridge). Also, the mountain tea is very nice.

Traditional architecture

The settlement is built on the outskirts of a sandy ravine is an example of traditional architecture which, from the first moment, impresses the visitor. The houses are built after the total destruction of 1821 by the famous craftsmen and are two-storeyed or three-storeyed due to the high slope of the ground, with thick walls to withstand the difficult weather conditions and with the material to make the local limestone which was used elsewhere for building the buildings, the ceilings, the floors, the decks, the courtyards, the cobbled streets, the covers of the taps. The watermills, the churches, and the monasteries were also built from stone. Some have built-in plates, which indicate the construction time and some of the owner. Today, most of them have been restored by their owners, as time has caused a lot of damage.

In the 1950s and 1960s, Syrrako underwent a major crisis. The road was built in 1976 but today its viability is difficult, resulting in it being destroyed in the winter. In recent years, many new homes have been built but many old ones have been repaired. Beautiful guesthouses with high-standard services and landscapes of incredible beauty are a combination that leaves no one unmoved.

The future of Syrrako is tourism and livestock farming. All of the people from Syrrako assist and support this effort through their clubs. A prerequisite is the material support of the official State.

<p>The post Syrrako – In a beautiful traditional settlement 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>

The origin of the name is believed to come from the surname of Vourgarelis, which was a logger in the region, or from Bulgarian loggers who settled here due to forests and running water for the transfer of buildable timber to Arta.

History and Information

According to the philologist Vaso Rapti:

Athamania

The history of the village is related to the history of the wider region of Athamania, as this was one of its centers. Athamania took its name from the mythical king Athamantas, who reigned in the Orchomenos of Boeotia and after the murder of his son Learchos he migrated to Athamania and became its king.

The most important king was Aminandros (220-184 BC), who organized the state. After the death of Aminandros, the kingdom was abolished and the area was administered by the public of the Athamanians. Macedonian currencies certify their submission to Macedonia. During the period of the Roman occupation, residents were forced to live in Nikopolis, resulting in a decrease in the population.

From the 3rd century. BC, Celtic nomads settled in the area, leaving a lot of toponyms, not Greek.

The Turkish rule

In 1820, when the Turks fought with Ali Pasha, the Klephts (self-appointed soldiers, anti-Ottoman insurgents, who lived in the countryside when Greece was a part of the Ottoman Empire) of the area and Markos Botsaris were assembled at the monastery of Ag. Georgios, in Vourgareli, to prepare the uprising in the area of ​​Arta. A second meeting must have taken place, on the same spot, before May 30, 1821, with the blessings of Abbot Christopher. It was attended by G. Bacolas Karaiskakis, M. Koutelidas and 200 Captains, with the aim of liberating Arta.

Officially, the revolution in Arta began on May 30, 1821, when Karaiskakis and G. Koudeidas hit the Turks in Komboti. Another important event was the Battle of Vourgarelli, on 23 September 1823, where Omer Vryonis was defeated, thus rescuing the Revolution in the West Roumeli.

The liberation

Despite the constant uprisings of the residents of the area (1854, 1867, 1878), the area of ​​Arta was liberated in 1881 and it was incorporated into the Greek state. In fact, this liberation concerned only 14 villages, because the rest were not own by residents, but some of them were owned by some squire, so the inhabitants were not free but slaves. The Turkish landlords sold their estates to the Greeks before they left, at a small price, which in turn became even more tough rulers than the Turks.

Vourgareli was Abraham Pasha Karakehaya’s. In order to reach its inhabitants, it was necessary to buy it, which was achieved after a hard struggle. The Mayor Theodorias Georgios Oikonomidis was the leader in that struggle. In the first contract in 1884, the inhabitants bought Vourgareli, by Abraham Pasha, for the sum of 4,416.66 golden Ottoman pounds. However, since there was an amount of 80.16 pounds that some residents were unable to pay the village was in danger of falling back to Pashas. Therefore, in the second contract in 1889, the landlord K. Karapanos from Arta was the guarantor, assuming the repayment amounting to £80,16 (2,244 drachmas) and thus became the new ruler of the region for the next 40 years.

In 1924 the inhabitants were able to repay the debt and the Cooperative of Co-ownership of Vourgareli – Paleokantouno was established. The Cooperative’s action was significant and at its expense, many charitable works were made.

The occupation and the civil war

During the Italian-German occupation, the region suffered much, due to the cruelty of the conquerors, and in the difficult years of the civil war many residents of the village were forced to emigrate. In April 1943, Nap. Zervas installed his headquarters at the home of Doctor Anagnostis.

Vourgareli became the first capital of free mountainous Greece. 

The Germans retaliated and on May 5, 1943, they bombed the village. German planes dropped more than 400 bombs. The victims were 13 dead and 30 injured, most of them village residents. Many homes were destroyed and many people were left homeless. The evil was completed on 3 October 1943 when the Germans burned it together with the surrounding villages. Then the church of St. Nicholas was burned, which was rebuilt in a design by architect and academic Anastasios Orlandos.

Another event related to the years of Occupation and National Resistance is the first theatrical performance of the Mountain Theater, the cultural department of EAM, played in Vourgareli square. The villagers also took part in this show.

The people of Vourgareli rebuilt their houses and set their lives from scratch. In the difficult years that followed (civil, post-civil years), many residents of the village were forced to immigrate, others to the cities, to study or search for better fortune and others in overseas countries, resulting in the weakening of the village as well as the entire Greek countryside.

What to see in Vourgareli

Such a place so favored by nature could not be left secret for a long time. The location with the unobstructed view, the green of the trees, the running waters and the stone fountains, the three beautiful bridges and the square (one of the most beautiful ones we met in Epirus) could only be a pole of attraction for those who love nature and are looking for the unspoiled life of the mountainous villages of Epirus and even the region of Tzoumerka.

And don’t even think for one moment that you will get bored. Beginning from the village you can explore the surrounding area. Starting from the beautiful square with the amazing view and walking along the old houses you first hear and then see the two stone taps that constitute the “trademark” of the village, Archonto and Kristallo which were built in 1926 at the expense of the Cooperative.

Do not miss the following:

Archonto and Krystallo

For over 80 years, water is running from the 4 mouths of Archonto and the 7 mouths of Kristallo. There are also mythical myths that if you believe in them and drink water you can get married in Vourgareli and stay there forever. The locals will show you the house that Napoleon Zervas chose for his headquarters and there is a sign in the village square that will remind you that in 1981 during the Rallis government, Vourgarell was chosen to give farmers and livestock farmers the first EEC subsidies.

The three stone bridges

The three stone bridges of the village are among the places that deserve your visit.

1. Neraidogefyro: It is an one-arched bridge located in Barda Place. It was built at the end of the 19th century (1950) and the sponsor was Konstantinos Poulis. Underneath it passes a stream of Sarantaporos that ends up in Arachthos. You will meet it when entering Vourgareli from Arta! It is located on a path that you follow in your right hand.

2.Bridge at Korais Stream: It is an one-arched bridge located in Vourgareli on the road to Athamanio. It bridges the homonymous stream of the Kalentini river, the tributary of Arachthos.

3. Bridge at Megali Vrisi: It is a single-arched bridge located in the same location outside the village of Vourgareli, going to Athamanio. It bridges the Kalentinis tributary of Arachthos. Its construction took place probably in the late 19th century.

The Red Church

About 4 km outside of the village is the Red Church or Panagia Vellas which is one of the most important monuments that the glorious Komninodoukades dynasty created in the 13th century in Epirus.

It is located in the village Paleochori, 4 km south of Vourgareli. It was built in 1281, ie before Parigoritissa of Arta, at the expense of Theodoros Tsimiskis, protortor (high military post of the Byzantine Court during the reign of the Komnenos and Paleologists Dynasty). The name Red Church is obviously due to the lively red color of the briquettes, of which the masonry of the temple is composed. Traditionally, it is also called the “king monastery”, probably because it was once the catholic (mainly temple) of a royal monastery which, when abandoned, became a part of the monastery of Vellas, from which it was named.

For the particular importance of the Temple, it has been designated as a Historic listed monument.

The Saint George Monastery

Surely the Saint George Monastery just outside the village is worth your visit as well. The monastery was founded in 1690 and it was rebuilt in 1714, according to an inscription found on the wall. Today’s cells are later constructions. In the middle of the 19th century, the monastery was in great prosperity and its charitable action was significant since, as mentioned in sources, it donated large amounts to local schools and assisted poor families.

It played an important role, in the sense that it contributed to the beginning of the revolution in Epirus, since the rebellion of the area was prepared there. During the Ottoman domination it served as a refuge for the troops and thieves of Tzoumerka, but it also covered the religious needs of the inhabitants, when the Germans burned the Saint. Nicholas In 1957 it was named a preserved historic monument.

In 1957 it was considered a preserved historic monument.

<p>The post Vourgareli – In an outstanding natural beauty first appeared on Epirus Explorer.</p>

About the village

Matsouki at 1100 meters altitude belongs administratively in Ioannina and is 85 km away from the city. Access to Matsouki from the village of Christoi takes place in a breathtaking scenery.

Arriving in the village you will pass the wild ravine crossing the long 51m long Bailey bridge. Until some years ago the bridging of the gorge with a width of 48m and a depth of 44m was impossible, resulting in the isolation and desolation of the village. In the winter of 1981, the army placed a Bailey-type pedestrian bridge. Then, in August 1985 the road was opened to the village and the bridge was installed. Also, a few tens of meters away there is a second one built from cement.

It is unknown when the original settlement was created. The local tradition says that the name of Matsouki village is due to its inhabitants who killed a terrible dragon with a wood or according to another version faced and hit the enemy with stakes. Researcher Dimitris Kalousios comments that the stories with the stakes reveal the “roughness of the inhabitants”.

The occupations

According to Mr. Agelos Sinanis, Matsouki has long been known for the tailors and the famous capes they made there. Also their main occupation was agriculture and signs of cultivated land show to date with the formation of steep slopes of the soil, the terraces (protective walls) that retained the soil.

Today, unlike the other two villages of Syrrako – Kalarrytes that have been deserted, Matsouki has several permanent residents who are engaged in livestock farming. In summer, about 12,000 sheep and goats and 800 cattle are grazing in the surrounding mountains.

The architecture

Traditional architecture is not the same as in the other two villages of Syrrako-Kalarrytes and the tingling roofs of the houses (a solution which was also contributed by the free distribution of the zinc by the state after the WW2 as financial support to the villages that had suffered destruction by the occupying forces), don’t look nice to the guests.

There are of course some stone-built houses, the very beautiful school, the maintained watermill and the traditional cafes. But surely the incredible beauty due to the amazing geographical position compensates for this disharmony, and the hospitality and good mood of the residents comes as a seal. Besides, Matsouki was one of the last mountain villages that was electrified very recently (April 1984).

What to see in Matsouki

In the village you can see the old cobbled streets (stone-paved streets with raw stone), the work of the Pramantiotes. The beautiful square with spectacular views, and the recently preserved water mill with the dristella (water-jet), which has been designated as a historic listed monument (1992) and is very beautiful.

Next to the old historical school where the very interesting collection of the monastery of Vylissa is hosted, the church of Agia Paraskevi is built, a new, three-aisled basilica with a nice wood-carved iconostasis.

There are also five chapels around the area with the most impressive the one of St. Athanassios hung on the edge of the cliff.

Undoubtedly, the waterfall of Matsouki is one of the most impressive sights of the village. Inside the slopes and ravines formed by Katarrachia (2280m) and the Cretaceous (2200m.), there are streams descending from the mountains.

Two of them, Mavrias and Goura, cross the village and are joined a bit below by the Red River and are then poured into the Matsoukiotiko Rema (or ravine of Stafyla). Matsoukiotiko Rema descends from Kakarditsa, crosses its homonymous gorge and a bit further below it receives the waters of Karlibou and is then poured into the Kalarrytikos River at the point where the Melissirotiko Rema is poured.

Also, near Matsouki you can visit the Vyliza Monastery.

The village is offered for wonderful walks, either with 4X4 or hiking. Through marked paths one can reach Kakarditsa (2429m) by passing the plateau of Helimodi or climbing to the top of Katarahia (2280m).

Other routes: Matsouki – Vyliza – Kallarytes (marked with duration of 2 hours) and Matsouki – Strogoula Peak (2429m without marking, duration 4 hours)

<p>The post Matsouki – In a wonderful landscape 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>

Drosopigi

The stone bridge of Drosopigi

The church of Agia Paraskevi

Sarantaporos

Sarantaporos

The stone built school

The view from the village

About the village

Drosopigi is one of the villages that belong to Mastorochoria and one of the best preserved. The stone houses with the paved roofs or tiled roofs, the streets, the square which is of the most beautiful squares of Mastorochoria, the church of Agia Paraskevi (1930) and the stone school (1927) are examples of the local architecture.

The residents were builders but also excelled in viticulture and the art of barrel. In fact, craftsmen from Kantsa worked throughout the Greek territory and abroad (Iran, Sudan, USA).

What to see

In the center of the square there is a huge tree with 6m perimeter which during the civil war suffered a shrapnel but survived and eventually stands up till today.

Next, at a short distance from the square stands the beautiful and imposing church of Agia Paraskevi which was built by craftsmen from Kantsa in 1930.

You can also admire the stone bridge known as “Kantsiotiko bridge“, from the older name of the village Kantsa. It is the only surviving stone bridge in the main Sarantaporos and a “trademark“.

What’s more, it is one of the few bridges of Epirus, which was founded in the mid 18th century, more specifically in 1717.

Furthermore, it is built up in typical rock on both sides of which start two large arches towards the opposite riverbank. Above the cliff there is an even smaller arch to cross the waters of the river during periods of high level. Today we see a cluster of two bridges next to one another, with two different materials. The beautiful old stone bridge is just a breath away from the newest iron one.

The name of the master builder of the construction of the bridge is unknown, but there are several elements showing that this is a creation of the hands of Kantsa people. Also, the name of the sponsor who addressed the construction costs is unknown as well. However, it seems to have a strong historical basis myth that the money was allocated by the wife of a Bey (officer of the Ottoman Empire) in the region.

It is the only surviving stone bridge in the main Sarantaporo.

<p>The post Drosopigi – You’ll fall in love with this fantastic stone village 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>