Renos Apostolidis, Poetic letters 1949

About Molista

It belongs to the historical and cultural unit of Mastorochoria of Konitsa. Together with the two neighboring villages of Ganadio and Monastiri, they are also known as “stone villages” and are characterized as traditional settlements.

From long ago, these three villages had the common name Molista because they constituted a single community with three settlements (mahalades). In 1919, with special decrees, it was recognized that the community of Molista included these three settlements, as well as the monastery of Theotokos. Later it was defined that the settlements of Gannadio and Botsifari (which was renamed in 1928 to Monastiri) constitute independent communities (from 1920 and 1934 respectively) with the result that Mesaria officially acquired the name Molista.

From Molista as well as from the other villages known as “Mastorochoria of Konitsa” comes a large part of the craftsmen of Epirus. Builders who, using every material according to the local conditions, managed to build houses based on the Byzantine architectural tradition, to build bridges with stone arches, to carve works of art on stone, to give breath to the wood and to decorate not only the mainland but to promote their art beyond and outside Greece.

Historical data

In the valley that is formed at the foot of Gyftissa, peak of Smolikas, from long ago there were scattered houses that formed the settlement of Sioupostiani. (According to local tradition, “gypsy” is called a peak east of the village, where a barefoot gypsy woman with black hair and copperplates came out and played the tambourine when the Turkish Kotzambasis came to collect from the villagers the local taxes).

From ancient times until the 19th century, one of the main communication routes of Epirus and Macedonia passed through there. In the location of the valley from the very old years there were scattered houses that formed the settlement of Sioupostiani. According to sources, before its desolation, the settlement was composed of 40 families, a church and a cemetery.

The first mention of the toponym of Molista is in the code of the monastery Zavorda in Grevena, where the names of residents from Molista who offered financial assistance to the monastery dating back to 1534-1692 are recorded.

The historian Ioannis Lampridis in “Zagoriaka” (p. 87) states that after the dissolution of Skamneli in Zagori and the settlements around it, from the raids,a part of the inhabitants took refuge in Moschopolis (Lamprides mentions it as Voskopolis, its original name, probably due to the livestock activities of its older inhabitants), others in Sopiki and others “in Molistα“.

The Slavs who settled there in periods between the 6th and 14th centuries, as farmers, after their military raids, over time became Hellenized.

According to tradition, the settlement of Sioupostiani was deserted either due to an epidemic of plague, or due to frequent robber attacks, because it was located near the main road of Kapiliou-Fourka-Macedonia. Most of the residents emigrated abroad, some moved near Constantinople, while the rest settled in the other settlements of today’s Molista.

After the desolation of Supostiani (1670) the settlements of Molista formed a single community until 1864

Source: The text is translated from information we found in: Η επαρχία της Κόνιτσας και η Μόλιστα επί τουρκοκρατίας (Χαρίλαος Γκούτος, καθηγητής Παντείου Πανεπιστημίου, Παράγραφος 13 – Η Σουπόστιανη και οι απαρχές της Μόλιστα, σελ.79)

The battle of Molista and its liberation from the Ottomans

The inclusion of Konitsa in Greece on February 24, 1913 was a result of the liberation struggle that began in 1908 with the emergence of rebel groups against the Ottomans and the appearance of military bodies in the wider area of Konitsa. From the winter of 1912, revolutionary actions took place in the villages of the Lakka of Aoos.

On February 9, 1913, Captain D. Papanikolaou liberated the village from the Turks and established two companies in the village. The Ottomans, led by Dziavit Pasha and with many forces, attacked in a last attempt to retake it, but were repulsed with several losses. When the Ottomans learned about the liberation of Ioannina (21/2/1913), they left not only the village but also Konitsa.

Source: The text is translated from information we found here: Η απελευθέρωση της Κόνιτσας – Νικ. Αναστασόπουλος

Names and Renames

Mesaria, now known as Molista, is a picturesque settlement nestled snugly between Ganadio and what is today Monastiri. Its evolution as a settlement likely began concurrently with its neighbors. The name ‘Mesaria’ is a common toponym in Greece, typically signifying a central location or a settlement that lies in the heart of an area.

Delving into linguistic roots, the Old Slavic word “molista” translates to “supplicant”. This hints at a fascinating slice of history, suggesting that the area may have once been home to a monastery or church housing a revered icon of the Virgin Mary, known as Panagia Molista. This name likely originated from the Slavic settlers who, following their incursions into the region, held the icon in high esteem. The name ‘Molista’ then became synonymous with the monastery or church that enshrined this sacred icon, a site of pilgrimage that retained its significance even after the Slavic icon bearers either departed or assimilated with the Greek populace. Thus, the term “monastery or church of Molista” became a cultural and historical landmark in the region.

Contrastingly, the theory that the name ‘Molista’ might derive from ancient Molossia is less convincing.

Source: The text is translated from information we found here: Η επαρχία της Κόνιτσας και η Μόλιστα επί τουρκοκρατίας (Χαρίλαος Γκούτος, καθηγητής Παντείου Πανεπιστημίου, παράγραφος 12, Ετυμολογία των ονομάτων των οικισμών, σελ. 73 και 77)

Administrative Organization, Justice and Taxes

Post the Turkish conquest around 1417, the Molista region was woven into the administrative tapestry of the Ottoman Empire. Initially falling under the jurisdiction of the kaza (province) of Konitsa within the santzaki (region) of Korçë, it later transitioned to the santzaki of Ioannina after 1500. The governance of Molista during this era was a tapestry of various roles and responsibilities, involving figures like the governor, the priest (katis), village provosts, the council of provosts, the timariou (spachis) of the region, and state tax collectors.

Historian Pan. Aravantino paints a picture of these dignitaries – a mix of Mohammedans and Christian provosts – as a semi-independent and often unruly group. They maintained a mutual support system until 1790, when Ali Pasha’s strategic machinations brought about their subjugation by instigating internal conflicts.

The residents of Molista, alongside their neighbors, were frequently tormented by raids. These raids were mostly led by Albanian bandits and former charioteers turned thieves. Additionally, the oppressive feudal system placed a heavy burden on the villagers, enriching the local beys and agades through obligatory annual rents. However, Molista narrowly escaped becoming a feud (tsifliki), sparing its inhabitants from a perpetual rent obligation.

These recurrent invasions prompted the villages of Konitsa to devise a unique form of governance and self-rule, sanctioned by the Ottoman authorities. This system was led by the eldormen representing five villages in the province of Konitsa. These eldormen collectively voiced the opinions of the entire province and had the authority to resolve disputes.

The Vourkopotamos valley, today part of Ganadio, was a strategic derveni (pass) from the 17th century until 1790. The derveni’s guards, under the leadership of a chief, were tasked with collecting tolls from travelers and a protection tax from locals. Notably, between 1722 and 1743, the Molistines were entrusted with guarding this vital pass and had the right to collect tolls, highlighting their significant role in the region’s history and security.

Economy and Occupations

The tapestry of Molista’s history is woven with the stories of its earliest inhabitants – nomadic shepherds whose lives were intricately tied to the rhythm of the seasons. During the frosty winters, they would migrate to the plains of Thesprotia, and as summer warmed the earth, they ascended to the lush pastures of Smolikas and Grammos. Their pastoral existence was anchored by the “tseligato,” a simple yet efficient system of cooperative herding.

G. Lymperopoulos, in his book “Mountain and Border people,” details the unique construction of their dwellings, akin to the methods of the Sarakatsani people. Each shepherd family constructed two huts – a permanent one for the winter and another for their summer sojourns in the mountains. The winter abodes were circular, while the summer shelters were larger, rectangular structures, catering to the expanded needs of the warmer months. These huts, left to the mercy of the elements in winter, often succumbed to harsh weather, leading to an annual cycle of reconstruction and improvement.

The shepherds of Molista were in harmony with nature, drawing on its bounty for sustenance and shelter. The forests provided timber, forage for livestock, and a wealth of plants and herbs. Along the coast, small-scale farming flourished, yielding pulses, cereals, wheat, potatoes, and more. Historically, sericulture was also a prominent activity. Viticulture was another cornerstone of their economy, with each household reportedly producing around 700 okades of exquisite red wine and tsipouro, thanks to the region’s abundant vineyards and diverse grape varieties.

The village’s numerous water sources, including the Vourkopotamos and Sarantaporos rivers, not only nourished their vegetable crops but also supplied them with fish. Moreover, the local orchards were a testament to the region’s fertility, brimming with walnut, cherry, apple, and plum trees, painting a picture of a community deeply intertwined with the land they called home.

The craftsmen of Molista

It is unknown how old is the building tradition. The first report on construction activity and in fact with a large number of builders from Molista is documented by a list of 19 September 1801. In this list among the 789 builders and 1026 skilled workers are registered and 35 craftsmen from Molista. (unissued file of Ali Pasha).

Usually, in the beginning of spring, the craftsmen formed groups, the “bouloukia”, and left their village for pre-agreed work.The return of the “bouloukia”, took place in November. During the winter they were with their families until the following spring when they left again.

From Mesaria (Molista) known groups were those of Vassiliou Harisiadis and Athanasios Serifis.

The craftsmen from Molista extended their activity beyond the borders of Epirus. In their pre-war travels there were also cases where women from Molista followed and helped their husbands. This is a very interesting and rare case. Of course, it is a fact that the Molista women- like the Sarakatsani women – were famous for the fact that they themselves built the round wooden huts.

In 1938-1940 they  worked with the craftsmen from Pyrsogianni and Kerasovo on road construction projects (openings, bridges, masonry) of the roads in the areas of Xanthi, Kavala, Rupel forts. They worked until the day when the War was declared in ΄40. After the war it is not known if the Molistines continued to practice the art.

Since then the shift of the inhabitants towards emigration to Romania and the change of profession resulted in the gradual decline of Molista as a center of craftsmen. With the outbreak of the Russo-Turkish war (1877-1878) in which Romanians also participated, they had the opportunity to get rich because the passage of Russian troops through Romania left a lot of money in grocery stores and bakeries. Both the Molistines indulged in these two professions, managing to get rich.

Source: The text is translated from information we found here: ΜΑΣΤΟΡΟΙ ΧΤΙΣΤΕΣ ΑΠΟ ΤΑ ΜΑΣΤΟΡΟΧΩΡΙΑ ΤΗΣ ΚΟΝΙΤΣΑΣ, ΑΡΓΥΡΗΣ ΠΕΤΡΟΝΩΤΗΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΗΣ ΠΑΠΑΓΕΩΡΓΙΟΥ – Η τρίκωμη Μόλιστα, σελ. 667

Architecture

A characteristic element of the houses is the fortress character with thick walls, few openings, heavy wooden beams and dark stone from the mountain.

The only decorative element is the wooden ornaments of the windows or the simple stone decorations of the lintels. The yard, usually fenced with dry stone, is the main area of the house for all seasons. It is paved, with flowers and trees and has the necessary spaces around it.

The high stone fence gives the feeling of seclusion and freedom to the owners when they are in the yard. The simple construction also characterized the interior of the house with the small wooden centerpieces for storing clothes and the fireplace with the elongated sofas (mpasia) were the furniture. The only decorative element was the colored embroidered covers on the sofas.

Dark wood is the material for floors, lintels, stairs, balconies and wardrobes. Individual cases of sashnisia (protruding windows) indicate the tendency of craftsmen to process the simple stone face, enriching it with some additional aesthetic elements and give a picturesque look to the building. The building materials they have – are limited and when given the opportunity they work with stone art making fireplaces, balconies and stairs with wonderful construction perfection.

Education in Molista

The educational landscape in Molista during the 19th and early 20th centuries was nothing short of remarkable for its time. Historical documents dating from 1828 to 1913, bearing the signatures of teachers, priests, and ordinary residents from Canada, bear testament to the high levels of literacy among the inhabitants. Before the formal establishment of schools, tradition dictated that priests and occasional “letter teachers” undertook the noble task of imparting knowledge. In the mid-19th century, around 1850, Molista saw the influence of Georgios Tzounis from Staritsani, a collaborator of Kapodistrias, who played a pivotal role in education. Handwritten notes in the monastery books of Molista hint that various other educators contributed their expertise from time to time.

In 1846, Nikolaos Xinos, residing in Bucharest, bequeathed a portion of his property to Molista, with the explicit purpose of constructing a school for underprivileged children. The result was the Spyridonian School, which was built using these funds and provided free education. This institution became a beacon of learning, ensuring that many Molinists received an education even during the challenging period of Turkish occupation. After completing their studies at this school, children often continued their education at the High Schools of Tsotyli or Ioannina. However, in 1929, the Spyridonian School sadly closed its doors.

Another philanthropic gesture in 1848 saw Michael Nazis, who had also established himself in Bucharest, allocate his assets for the establishment of a girls’ school in the village. These endeavors in education, fueled by the generosity of individuals like Xinos and Nazis, left an indelible mark on Molista, fostering a culture of learning and empowerment that transcended the adversities of their time.

Source: The text is translated from information we found here: Η επαρχία της Κόνιτσας και η Μόλιστα επί τουρκοκρατίας (Χαρίλαος Γκούτος, καθηγητής Παντείου Πανεπιστημίου, Σχολική Μόρφωση σελ. 96

What to see

The bridge in Kouklioi

Also known as the bridge of Kryoneri and Vergos. It is located 25 km north of Konitsa to the right of the national road and below the village of Monastiri (former Botsifari) at the site Kouklious, next to the homonymous old inn (later Kotli and Vergos inn).

It bridges the Sliouta stream pit or Cortinistα stream that starts from Cortinista lage (today Nikanoras) and is poured into Sarandaporos river. It is a single arch with an opening of 8.30 m. and the height from the riverbed reaches 4.50 m and peaks in the center at 5.20 m. The curved corridor reaches 20 m in length and 2.40 in width with low and sparsely placed arkades (oblong stones).

The builder of the bridge was Fotis Lolos from Vranista (today Trapeza) according to the claims of his descendants but also from the peculiar technique of the specific carpenter who documents it as his own work. It was built in the second half or late (most likely) of the 19th century.

Source: The information is translated from text we found here: ΤΟ ΓΕΦΥΡΙ ΣΤΟΥΣ ΚΟΥΚΛΙΟΥΣ, ΣΠΥΡΟΣ Ι. ΜΑΝΤΑΣ, ΓΕΦΥΡΟΓΡΑΦΙΑ ΤΗΣ ΠΙΝΔΟΥ ΤΟΜΟΣ Γ΄-ΤΑ «ΗΠΕΙΡΩΤΙΚΑ» ΠΕΤΡΟΓΕΦΥΡΑ Σελ. 138

The bridge in Vourgopotamos (Kerasovitiko river)

In the past, the main road from Konitsa to Mastorohoria and Macedonia reached the left bank of the Bourgopotamos and at the point where it met Sarandaporos it branched off following the valleys of the two contracting rivers.

One of the two branches headed through the valley of Sarandaporos, towards Macedonia. The danger of crossing at that point of the river logically meant that there was a need for a bridge.

Around 1968, when the new large concrete bridge of the National Road was being built, a small piece of the spine of the old stone bridge was visible, but no one then gave any explanation. The bridge was then pushed back in.

Neither the old craftsmen, nor the agogiates never mentioned such a bridge. There was no mention of it by foreign travelers or local geographers, and neither was there any written mention or recollection from the accounts of older people.

During the winter of 2002/3, a large and rapid water descent of Vourgopotamos brought to light the top part of a stone arch, confirming the correctness of the thought, that there must have been a bridge there. This stone arch was captured in detail in the summer of 2003 by Professor Argyris Petronotis and presented in an article in 2004 in the Magazine “εκ Χιονιάδων”, issue 7, p.31.

An extensive text “The large, arched bridge of Vourgopotamos” of Molista written by Thomas B. Ziogas, civil engineer from Drosopigi, Konitsa published in the magazine “τα Καντσιώτικα” , issue 23, p.10, gives information about the bridge The bridge must have existed in 1878 because in written testimonies it is mentioned with the word “big” and this three-arched stone bridge in Bourgopotamos was indeed big, since it was 25.00 m long.

 From the studies he made the design of the bridge was insufficient and the flow of the river and the transported materials which could not pass through the relatively small arches were not appreciated and it was left to its fate.

Sources:

The text is translated from information we found in the following sources:

 «Η μεγάλη, τοξωτή γέφυρα Βουργοπόταμου της Μόλιστας», Θωμάς Β.Ζιώγας, πολιτικός μηχανικός, «τα Καντσιώτικα», τεύχος 23, σελ.10

“Το ξεχωμένο γεφύρι στην κοίτη του Βουρκοπόταμου Μόλιστας», Αργύρης Π.Π. Πετρονώτης , Περιοδικό «εκ Χιονιάδων», τεύχος 7, σελ.31.

Churches and Monasteries in Molista

St Nikolaos

Agios Nikolaos, the central church, a three-aisled basilica, with the iconostasis and wood-carved ceiling, and Agia Paraskevi, which is located in the Molista cemetery, outside the village and is dedicated to Agia Paraskevi because in the past the residents believed that this saint prevented plague epidemics having the tragic precedent of the epidemic that decimated the population and devastated Supostiani

The monastery of Presentation of Mary (The Monastery of Molista)

After the desolation of the original settlement of Supostiani, in 1672 a monastery was founded in Botsifari (today’s Monastery) to which the icon of Panagia Molista was transferred. It is speculated that the slippery terrain at that point contributed to the landslide, resulting in the abandonment of the original monastery by the monks and the foundation of the new one. According to the priest Georgios Paisios, from a study on a non-walled slab and other findings, the first monastery was built in 1672 and was preserved for about two centuries. Then it was destroyed and in 1819 it was built in its current location and completed in 1892. According to tradition, the Virgin Mary miraculously indicated the location where the monastery was built. In emergencies (drought, diseases) a procession took place in the village of the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary.

Until 1940 the monastery was in prosperity and helped poor families of Molista, financially supported unmarried girls and pioneered public works. In the early 20th century it began to decline.

In January 1976, robbers broke into the door and stole the icon of the Virgin Mary, the so-called “Sratiotissa”, along with other relics.

Today, we can see the katholikon, the double bell tower at the entrance, the old stables, the two-storey cells, where monks lived until 1975 and which today serve as hostels for pilgrims, as well as a smaller building called “the Turk’s ledge” and is a benefaction of a Muslim bey.

The katholikon is a single-aisled basilica, with two doors and a gynaikonitis (the introverted women’s wing in the Greek churches). In the main church are preserved two stone manuals of 1831, a wooden iconostasis and rare icons.

The Monastery celebrates on November 21, with a solemn service.

Sources: The text is translated from information we found in the following source: Μοναστήρια της Επαρχίας Κονίτσης – Πρεσβ. Διονυσίου Δημ. Τάτση

The post of Molista

In the past, agogiates (those who transport products with animal ) were used as postmen for postal communication in Molista. A post office started operating in Konitsa around 1877 and in 1881 a telegraph office was established.

The mayors of the three communities of Molista (Supostiani, Messaria, Botsifari) and Pournia ,in 1960, in a letter reported to the Prefecture the existence of the Post of Molista which operated from 1913 for 47 years, served not only the inhabitants of the above villages but also those of Agia Paraskevi and Fourka and until 1958 the inhabitants of Drosopigi, Lagada and Kastaniani.

Two important events that took place that year played an important role in the establishment of the Molista Post Office. The first was the victory of the Greek army against the Turks on February 15 in the area of ​​Molista when the Greek army recaptured Molista repelling the Turkish forces that withdrew with several losses. This victory made Molista famous throughout the Greek territory and in the then Greek Government. The second was the intense pressure exerted by the Molinist prominences of Bucharest, and of the three villages, on the then Greek Prime Minister Eleftherios Venizelos, who paid an official visit to Romania that year and had contacts with prominent expatriate Greeks.

The Post Office from its foundation in 1913 until 1983 was housed in a central building in the square. After the fire of the building it operated in another building until 1998 when it was permanently abolished.

Musical tradition, dances and festivals

The location of the wider area of Konitsa and its villages are located between Albania and Macedonia. Next was to accept musical influences from both areas and a rich music and dance tradition.

The main instrument is the clarinet, accompanied by the violin, the lute and the tambourine. Molista had and has some of the best musicians in the area of Konitsa who, with their companies and integrated into the local community, know the local customs and the preferences of the dancers.

At a time when the inhabitants of the villages lived in isolation, the only way to have fun was the festivals, weddings, big religious and name festivals, Halloween and carnivals. Festivals, religious and name festivals and various events were the only way of entertainment for the people of the villages. In addition, it was the best way for young people to communicate in an era of strict morals regarding the relations of the two sexes.

The simple and layered dances reflected the strict morals and customs of Epirus, where expressiveness was not allowed, especially for women.

At the dances the dancers danced in a single or double circle and were always accompanied by the instruments of the local instrumentalists. In the double-bar shape, the women danced inside and the men outside. Each man who led the dance, danced only with his wife, or with a very close relative. In the single circle the men danced in front and the women followed. When she danced, a married woman was held by her husband with a handkerchief, while the unmarried girls were held by one of their relatives, mother or sister. They usually danced against families.

Morals, customs and traditions

The social organization was characterized by strict morals and customs. Respect went beyond the meaning of the word. Women, no matter how old they were, had to greet the man even if he was young and if they were sitting they should stand up. Young men and women exchanged glances only at dances, weddings and festivals. The people of Molista were committed to traditions and deeply religious.

The distant past of living in nature, their strong bond with the earth and their love for animals was the reason for supernatural stories to be born about them. The dominant zoomorphic ancestors of the region were the snake, the bear and the goat. The serpent, born of the earth, was the reincarnation of the deceased. The bear protector of small children and the sick who are isolated in the mountains. The fertility symbol goat is associated with rain which is the first fertility element of the earth.

The zafetia were the feasts held for the return of a stranger, usually from Romania or Egypt, and in which only men participated, and they manifested the nostalgia of the stranger who tried in the short time of his stay in the village to have fun and keep, leaving, the good memories.

There are many customs and traditions associated with the travels of craftsmen. Their departure and return was always accompanied by songs of mourning at the time of farewell while the return was always a feast. Water-related traditions are also tied to the ritual of the craftsmen’s departure, and customs during the construction of houses (slaughter of roosters, tossing of coins).

Molista today

Today, the once-thriving village stands as a shadow of its former self, with only a handful of residents dotting its landscape. The vibrant festivities of old have been muted, a poignant reflection of the profound changes that have swept through this Greek countryside.

The scars of wars, waves of emigration, and a gradual departure from rural life have all contributed to the decline and desolation that now envelops Molista. The cherished “Zafetia,” once exuberant celebrations, have become subdued affairs. Name days are marked without the accompaniment of traditional instruments, and the festivities have lost their originality, their connection to the rhythms of everyday life severed.

Yet, amid the quietude, a glimmer of tradition endures. In the summer months, the village square comes alive with a festival that clings to its roots. This gathering, though smaller in scale, preserves the timeless ways of Molista and provides a precious opportunity for the remaining residents to come together in a place that will forever hold a special place in their hearts. As they gather, they cherish the echoes of a bygone era, finding solace in the enduring spirit of their beloved village.

<p>The post Molista (Mesaria) – The beautiful mountainous Mastorochori first appeared on Epirus Explorer.</p>

It is built amphitheatrically at an altitude of approximately 840m. at the foot of Strongoula (2.107m), one of the most spectacular peaks of the Tzoumerka Mountains or the Athamanian Mountains. (Besides, the story of Tzoumerka starts with the king Athamas, from which his name “Athamanian Mountains The village Pramanta belongs to the cultural unity of the Tzoumerkohoria (villages of Tzoumerka), but at the same time together with other villages (Christoι, Ambelochori, Ktistades, Raptanei) belongs to the unity of Mastorochoria of Tzoumerka.

Historical information for Pramanta

Pramanta today

Unfortunately today there are no traditional buildings in the village, except for a few. The burning of the village by the Germans and the earthquake of 1967 destroyed many of the traditional houses. Old houses that are examples of local architecture are the houses of Vourlokas, Giannikostas, Stamos, Karakostas, Tsirkas, Tsikos.

In the center of Pramanta is the beautiful cobbled square with the huge old plane tree, which was and is a reference point for the festive events of the religious festivals and the meetings of the expatriate residents during the summer days that are gathered in their birthplace.

The square is dominated by the central church of Agia Paraskevi which has been designated as a historical monument and the Fountain of Arapis which represents a human head with a tap coming out of its mouth. It is the work of Pramantian master builder Vassilios Chr. Georgakis and was created in 1887. The name, it is said, comes from a black man (arapis) who stood here and collected the taxes of servitude.

The Monument of the Woman of Pramanta is a culpture in the center of the village reminiscent the contribution of the women to the nation’s struggles.

Watermill – whirlpool – mantania: Historic listed building owned by the Tsaktsiras brothers. It is a ground floor stone building of simple folk architecture with a rectangular plan. Built in 1935 is perhaps the only case of co-housing water mill, whirlpool and mantania.

The area of ​​Tzoumerka in recent years has made huge leaps in the promotion of tourism, with the participation and involvement of professionals and with the support of institutions.

Today Pramanta is a lively village in the center of the area and the seat of the Municipality of North Tzoumerka with a population of about 800 inhabitants, which in summer exceeds 1500. It has taverns, patisseries, cafes and nightlife. It also has a modern Health Center, pharmacy, environmental education center, gas station, bank, ATM, post office, police station and schools of all levels. In this traditional village, which combines the modern way of life, the visitor can find information about everything he needs.

Tourism development in recent years is at a high level with the creation of hotels and hostels in the area. The quality infrastructure of the accommodation and the local gastronomy are key elements of a comfortable stay

The experiences gained by the visitor are quality experiences related to the experiential approach of the impressive nature of Tzoumerka and the monuments of the cultural heritage. “Active” tourism enriches the travel experience, and leads the visitor to more and more specialized activities.

The range of activities in such a natural environment is large and the options depend on the time available, the endurance and the mood. Mountains, and peaks for mountaineering enthusiasts, hiking trails, visit to waterfalls,rafting in Arachthos and Kalarrytikos, gorge descent for the adventurous, car trips to the surrounding traditional villages, visits to monasteries, churches and bridges. A special destination beyond the summer months.

What to see

Monasteries and churches

Throughout the Ottoman rule, the strong religious sentiment of the inhabitants of Tzoumerka and their deep faith helped them to face the difficulties not only of those who came from the barren land but also of those of Turkish rule. The expression of their faith is reflected in the construction of numerous churches and monasteries in the mountains of Tzoumerka.

Besides, their geographical location helped in the relative autonomy granted by the Turks and contributed to the reconstruction of ecclesiastical monuments. Most of the monasteries, apart from religious institutions, were centers of Hellenism that preserved and spread the language, the customs, the traditions, and mainly transmitted the idea of ​​revolution and liberation to the hearts of the slaves. The successive fires of the villages have destroyed many of these Byzantine monuments and those that exist date from the 17th century onwards.

Agia Paraskevi church in Pramanta

In this place from the old days there has been a small chapel dedicated to Agia Paraskevi. In 1890 the new church was founded in a basilica style with domes and under the guidance of the folk architect Konstantinos Mpekas, who came from Pramanta. With the contributions of the residents and the personal work of villagers, men and women, the work progressed to a point and then stopped due to a lack of money.

The characterization of the church contributes to the preservation of the special physiognomy of Pramanta, an interesting mountain settlement in the area of ​​Tzoumerka (http://listedmonuments.culture.gr). In honor of Agia Paraskevi, which is celebrated on July 26, there is a traditional feast organised in Pramanta which lasts three even four-days.

The monastery of Agia Paraskevi

It is located between Pramanta and Melissourgoi on a hill with splendid lush vegetation of spruce and fir trees. It is a walled large three-aisled basilica, covered stone slabs, with a loggia, cells on the front side, hostels on the first floor and a beautiful stone-made spring a little further. It was built in 1876 by the monk Dionysios Noutsos, as an engraved inscription says on the entrance. 

The monastery played an important role in modern history as it was the seat of the chieftain Putetsis during the 1912-1913 fights, and later used as a base by Napoleon Zerva’s teams. Inside, the remarkable icons in the iconostasis date back to 1839 and were transported here from the old church of Agia Paraskevi that was next to it. It celebrates on July 26th and becomes a religious function and a feast, but it is also open for the rest of the year because it is inhabited. Moreover, due to the beautiful natural location, the residents of the surrounding villages also prefer it for various social events (weddings, baptisms, etc).

Agios Nikolaos

Beautiful small church in Kato Mahalas. It was built in 1875-1876 at the expense of the Ptamantian Ioannis N. Rigas, of a well-known merchant with his trading center in Paramythia, from where he exported his products to Corfu and abroad.

The church of Asproklisia

It is located in the beautiful forest of Markopoulo.

The stone buidings of water

Tzoumerka is a predominantly mountainous and inaccessible area with amazing nature and rich water resources which people exploited with wisdom and moderation, subjugating nature and making it their ally.

This constant effort to survive in a bygone era is depicted in the bridges, watermills, mantania, fountains, wells, water saws, which are today stone monuments of the pre-industrial era. Some of the many and remarkable examples of traditional architecture are located in the area of ​​Pramanta.

The bridge of Plaka

Historical monuments are an attraction, they recall important moments of history, but at the same time they serve as a pole of attraction for visitors. They are unique examples of the Εpirotic architectural tradition and modern Greek culture.

The bridge of Plaka is one of the most famous bridges, not only for its history but also for its perfect construction and its wonderful architecture. It bridges Arachthos, one of the most rapid rivers of Epirus and is the largest single-arched bridge in the Balkans and the third largest in Europe.

Watermill, whirlpool and Mantania

Historic monument, owned by the Tsaktsira brothers. It is a simple ground floor stone building of 1935. Remarkable are the cylindrical stone hoppers that carry water to the water mill and the impeller, but also the stone-built water mill, one of the few of its kind.

The bridge and the watermill of Christoi

A two-arched bridge which bridges the Melissourgiotiko stream and is located immediately after the settlement of Christi on the way to Pramanta. It was constructed during the first years of liberation from the Ottomans (1833-1890) and replaced another older one located on the downstream.

Its condition is modest, as the deck has been coated with asphalt and the motorway passes. Next to it there is a traditional water mill, which in the period 1881-1912 was used as a military and customs outpost.

Next to the bridge of Christi there is a traditional watermill which from 1881 to 1912 was used as a military and customs outpost.

The bridge of Sigounas

A single arched stone bridge with a flat deck that bridges Kalarrytiko River. It is perched on the cliffs of both sides of the river. The bridge was constructed by the merchant Sygounas fron Syyrako, as from this point he was passing his merchandise to Arta.

Before the construction of the bridge, the transport of the goods was carried out with a wire rope, which was fixed on both sides of the river. The bridge is located on the road from Kipina to Christi.

Activities

Gorges and waterfalls, peaks and rivers, mountain paths, forests and plateaus… majestic ornaments of the earth.

The area around Pramanta as well as the wider area of ​​Tzoumerka is full of landscapes that seal the wild and authentic beauty of nature inviting the visitor to initiation and experiential enjoyment.

Strogoula

The beautiful peak of Tzoumerka with its characteristic shape is the trademark of Pramanta and a favorite peak of climbers.

Impressive in all seasons and visible from all sides, it magnetizes the eye.

The forest of Markopoulo

The fir forest above the village.At a time when the population of the village had increased and the arable land was not enough, they cleared various parts for cultivation. When the cultivation stopped, the forest was reforested and reached its current form.

From the village starts a path and a wonderful route in the fir forest. First stop is the Skala spring which is the source from which the village is supplied with water. It is called Skala (staircase) because it is the first step for the ascent to the forest of Markopoulos. The next source is Kerasia and the path reaches the Pramanta refuge.

The refuge of Pramanta

It is built at an altitude of 1260 m. On a beautiful plateau below the north side of Stroggoula and with stunning views of the volume of Kakarditsa. 

It has been operating since 2006 and has beds, organized kitchen, dining area, living room and fireplace. Next to the refuge, a small open-air theater is built.

Tsopelas

A settlement of Pramanta which in recent years has been significantly exploited. It is a summer destination of many Pramantiotes who live far away and come to their homeland in summers. The square of the settlement is very beautiful and in general it is a very well-kept settlement.

Melissourgoi

A few kilometers from Pramanta is the village Melissourgoi with the three squares and the volume of mountains around with the wild beauty that fascinates. In the center of the village is the first paved square with fountains and plane trees, a little above a second paved square and at the bottom of the village is the square of Panagia. From the beautiful villages of Tzoumerka with impressive areas for exploration and activities and with tourist infrastructure.

Also, a short distance above the village is the refuge of Melissourgoi at an altitude of 1209m. It is open all year round and consists of 5 rooms, chalet and kitchen. The rooms have five beds, heating and a private bathroom. The kitchen is open daily from early in the morning until late at night, offering a full board for guests.

Kefalovriso waterfall

Strogoula never ceases to fascinate. From the north side, the cascade of Kefalovrysso springs with a length of 350m. and with a constant flow of all seasons. The waterfall in its course forms the stream of Koferita which flows into the stream of Melissourgoi.

The route is easy and marked and starts either from the Pramanta Refuge or from the Melissourgoi Refuge. We walk in a fir forest for about half an hour until we we go out in an open area. Following the course and having visual contact with the waterfall we walk for about forty minutes. Leaving the gaze to wander from right to left we see the northern part of Strongoula, Gerakovouni and the peak Agathi, the Neck of the Ear and finally the impressive mountain range of Kakarditsa.

The magical world of Anemotripa

Three kilometers from Pramanta is the cave of Anemotrypa and is something you must see.The cave was discovered in 1960 and explored by Anna Petrocheilou. A part of the cave about 270 meters long was studied and explored. In 2000 the 250 meters were used for tourism and today it is accessible to visitors.

The cave has three levels. The tallest and oldest collapsed in the past and some parts of it are preserved. The middle level is what has been used for tourism. The third level is the underground riverbed, which is seen at the end of the tourist path,just before creating a waterfall 2 meters, 10 meters lower than the path. 

The water of the river appears again in a spring located in the ravine, 25 meters below the entrance of the cave. Stalactites and stalagmites with various formations and colors create an eerie backdrop. And of course what the visitor perceives is the clean atmosphere that shows that the cave has natural ventilation, and also is felt the complete lack of smell from the mold that most caves have.

The twin waterfalls in Tzoumerka

The waterfalls are located near the settlement of Kriopigi which belongs to the village of Katarraktis on the western slopes of Tzoumerka. The northern waterfall is more rapid and has a height of 87 m., While the southern reaches 100 m. Above them stand the northwestern peaks of Tzoumerka, thus creating an impressive setting.

The water from the mountain ends after a serpentine course of about 10 kilometers in the river Arachthos. In the area of ​​the waterfalls, a paved path and bridges have been created, so the approach is very easy, while a refreshment room is very close. The best time to visit them is towards the end of May, as then the waters are many and the force of their fall is impressive.

Kamili waterfall in Tzoumerka

One of the most impressive waterfalls in the area is located just before the village of Matsouki. This is the “Kamili” waterfall which is impressive not for its height (50 meters) but for the large volume of water that descends even in the summer months. Streams are created from the high peaks, such as Katarrachias (2280m.) And Kritharia (2200m.).

Two of them, Mavrias and Goura, cross Matsouki and creating an impressive waterfall they pour from a height of 50 meters. A little further on, they join the Red River and together they flow into the Matsoukiotiko Stream, which crosses the homonymous gorge, and in the process receives the waters of Karlibou stream.

Important information – Sources

Much of the historical information you will find in the article was based on the book “Πράμαντα Τζουμέρκων – Ιωαννίνων, Ιστορία – Λαογραφία” by the Pramanta Brotherhood.

<p>The post Pramanta – Under the imposing peak of Strogoula first appeared on Epirus Explorer.</p>

High and inaccessible mountain ranges with deep folds in which basins are formed, wild and at the same time beautiful mountains, snow-capped and lost peaks, rushing rivers, impressive waterfalls, seasons with color changes. It is the Athamanian Mountains or Tzoumerka that are a mountain range whose main trunk forms a horseshoe that in its unique opening to the N.D. rolls the impetuous Arachthos that flows into the Amvrakikos gulf.

The village of Melissourgoi is built on this passage at 1100m height and in the basin that is formed between the volume of Kakarditsa and Stroggoula.

“… and I climbed the mountain peaks gazing at the sun and the fir trees smiled at me and the fragrant cedars softened my aching body…”

Κώστας Στάμου (Τζουμερκιώτικα Χρονικά 2014 σελ. 193)

History and Information of Melissourgoi

The exact date of creation of the settlement is unknown. There is a view that the settlement of Melissourgoi were created by the contraction of micro-settlements during the Turkish occupation. It is very likely that the attack and the destruction caused by the Mani pirate Lyberios Gerakaris, who had joined the service of the Venetians, contributed to this, and we invaded Arta and its villages, looting and killing.

In general, the area of ​​Athamania is an area in which extensive and systematic excavations have not been carried out, with the result that the history and culture that concerns the very old times remain in the dark.

The archeological findings (looted tombs, charcoal remains, etc.) found at Melissourgoi at the sites of Kastania, Dovru, Gritsana, Skripta, Zizina and Zileousi prove an organized society.

Other historical sources useful for the study of the creation and evolution of the settlement are drawn from the written traditions which are dates in buildings of temples and monasteries that have been renovated or rebuilt as well as inscriptions on the lintels, hagiographies and church bells.

However, a Golden Bull of the Emperor of Constantinople (1321) who abolishes an arbitrary act (1272) of the military commander Kavasilas with which the latter had given the settlement of Melissourgoi to the Diocese of Dryinoupolis, , restoring the village to the Diocese of Ioannina, is an indisputable testimony of the existence of the village from that time.

What to see in and around Melissourgoi

The waterfall of Kefalovryso

One of the most beautiful places in the area is the waterfall of Kefalovrysos that springs from the north side of Strongoula having a length of 350m. and continuous flow all seasons. The waterfall in its course forms the stream of Koferita which flows into the stream of Melissourgoi.

The route is easy and marked and starts either from the Pramanta Refuge or from the Melissourgoi Refuge. We walk in a fir forest for about half an hour until we get out. Following the course and having visual contact with the waterfall we walk for about forty minutes. Leaving the gaze to wander from right to left we see the northern part of Strongoula, Gerakovouni and the peak Agathi, the Neck of the Ear and finally the impressive mountain range of Kakarditsa.

The bridge of Koferita

(Σπύρος Ι. Μαντάς, ΓΕΦΥΡΟΓΡΑΦΙΑ ΤΗΣ ΠΙΝΔΟΥ, ΤΟΜΟΣ Β΄, ΤΟ ΓΕΦΥΡΙ ΤΗΣ ΚΟΦΕΡΙΤΑΣ σελ. 324)

It is located outside the village south of Koferita location and bridges the homonymous river. It is single-arched and its semicircular arch has an opening of 10.60 m and a height of 5.80 m. The passage corridor is flat and with a crown outside having a length of 21 m. and useful width 1.75 m. It is one of the last stone bridges in the area since it was built during the German occupation of 1942-43. The bridge was gradually built by local craftsmen and was completed with the help of craftsmen from Raftanei village. The inhabitants paid in kind, mainly corn. It was used for the first time by ELAS guerrillas and then by the village cattle breeders.

Churches and Monasteries

Agios Nikolaos church

It is a three-aisled vaulted basilica without a dome. It was built in 1778 but because it was set on fire by the Turks in 1821, it was rebuilt for the most part with a stone roof and a shed supported by columns. During the earthquake of 1967 it was severely damaged and was poorly renovated.

The monastery of the Entrances of Virgin Mary

Today only its katholikon survives and is located directly opposite the Melissourgoi on the mountain slope above the stream and a little below the chapel of Agia Paraskevi. The katholikon of the monastery is in good condition outside and the surviving frescoes are very few.

The monastery of the Assumption of Virgin Mary

The monastery was built on the site, where today the homonymous church of the village in the NW of Melissourgoi is, and which, according to its founding inscription, was completely renovated in 1843. According to tradition, the church was built before the church of Agios Nikolaos around 1747 and had two cells which were demolished in 1843 when its katholikon was renovated.

Agia Paraskevi chapel

Above the katholikon of the Monastery of the Entrances of the Virgin there is the chapel of Agia Paraskevi which is not hagiographed and, according to the marble slab on the west wall, the date of its initial construction is unknown

Agios Markos chapel

It is a small wooden-roofed basilica without a dome. It was founded in 1770 on the site of an oldest – probably Byzantine – church, which was destroyed in 1696 by Maniatis Gerakaris Lymperakis and in 1870 it was completely renovated. The interior has magnificent frescoes from 1877 that are preserved in relatively good condition. It is located in the village and has access from paved paths

Agios Kosmas chapel

In a place with an amazing view.

Activities in and around Melissourgoi

The village Melissourgoi belongs to the area of ​​Tzoumerka, one of the most impressive areas of Greece and is offered for all kinds of activities. Canyoning and rappel in the gorges, mountain biking and riding motorcycles and 4X4. Hiking trails on easy and difficult routes. Visit to the surrounding villages, bridges and monasteries that are architectural treasures.

A short distance from the village is the Mountain Refuge of Melissourgoi. Built in the forest with a wonderful view of the mountain peaks, it is offered not only for accommodation and food but also for activities of small and high difficulty in the surrounding mountains.

Information: http://katafigiomelissourgwn.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_40.html and https://www.facebook.com/Katafigiomelissourgwn/

Accommodation and dining in the area meets all the specifications for a comfortable and interesting vacation. The area of ​​Tzoumerka has been used for tourism in recent years and the proof is that the traffic remains high during the winter.

In the Mountain Refuge of Melissourgoi

<p>The post Melissourgoi – Tribute to the beautiful mountain village of Tzoumerka first appeared on Epirus Explorer.</p>

Because of the heavy snowfall and many rains, there are many springs with plenty of water forming two torrents on either side of the village, Alonitikos and Manouras, which meet up and flow into Sarantaporos, the tributary of Aoos river.

History and Information

Based on iformation we found on http://chioniades.gr

Chioniades is one of the historical villages of craftsmen, known as Mastorohoria of Konitsa, with the characteristic paved square, the tall stone terraces due to the sloping ground, the fountain, the plane tree and, of course, the stone cobbled streets and the stone houses. It was once the center of a large geographical area with common cultural features: the Mastorohoria in Voio, Kastoria, Florina, Tzoumerka, but also in Cologne, Korce, Elbasan (today Albania).

There is no data when the settlement was created. However, from the many Slavic place names in the village and from the words that came into the vocabulary of the inhabitants, we conclude that this place was inhabited before 1000 AD. Chioniades and the villages of the area seem to have been created by joining, perhaps, nomads who felt the need to form a united community.

In one version the first inhabitants of Chionades built their first village in the 14th century at the “Paliospita” site, with a central church the existing church of Agios Nikolaos, and where there are three cemeteries. Later in the 16th century, unknown why, they abandoned this site and settled in today’s.

“The tribes of Chioniades”

An article by folklorist Kitsos Makris titled The “tribes” of Chionades and the epirotic handicraft – painting  published in 1977 at ARMOLI (a magazine with topics from Pyrsogianni and surrounding Mastorohoria), refers to the sources of the Epirotes peasants – painters, such as Kapesovo, Sudena, Samarina (noting that Samarina, although it belongs to Macedonia, it is culturally belongs to the Epirus region), Fortosi, Kalentzi, Chionades, and concludes that Chionades was the largest nursery of painters.

Hagiography

From the 15th century, Chioniades remain in history as “the village of hagiographers” and are known all over Epirus and those who are engaged in the folk arts of Epirus.

Influenced first by the so-called Ipiroto-Theban School of Hagiography and later by Italian and Eptansian painting, the Russian hagiography of Mount Athos and paper lithographs and copper engravings, the Chionades painters-hagiographers spread from the 18th to the middle of the 20th century in Epirus, Central Greece, Thessaly, Macedonia, and Albania by painting icon screen for churches, frescoes in monasteries and churches, as well as portable icons for houses, decorating the mansions of in Zagori villages especially with topographies, floral prints, portraits, decorations of all kinds and still life.

Of course, it is worth noting that the people of the village did not follow the flow of stone technique as the rest of the inhabitants of Mastorohoria, but they excelled in the field of painting and hagiography.

The crafstmen

Like the craftsmen of neighboring villages, so the painters-hagiographers were working in organized groups. They left their place in the spring and returned in the autumn to spend the winter in their homes and to deal with livestock farming as well as with the painting of portable icons. On their journeys they came into contact with the new artistic movements that circulated in Western Europe and the large urban centers of the Ottoman Empire and added new architectural and artistic elements in their art.

Painting art in Chionades was practiced on the basis of family professional engagement. The needs required younger family members to be apprenticed close to their experienced relatives. This helped them by dealing with secondary jobs while learning with them. Depending on their degree of development in painting, they often became collaborators and succeeded or made their own crew in the same way. The apprentice painters followed the crew of their relatives from an early age.

What to see in Chioniades

The bridge at Paraspori

A stone one-arched bridge at Paraspori location, just before arriving in the village above Alonitikos Lakkos, a stream that flows into Sarantaporos river. It was built in 1866 according to an inscription written on a stone slab -lost today- by craftsmen from Pyrsogianni and costed 15 Ottoman pounds offered by Dimitrios Papas Ioannou.

The bridge was in danger of being destroyed by the rushing torrent that over time eroded the ground next to the bridge and widened its gap. Fortunately, in 2007, the bridge was maintained and a special wood structure built on a stone foundation.

Churches

St Athanasios

On the square between the two neighborhoods with panoramic view. It is said to be built in the place of an older one, probably in 1755, where, as it was said, it had also been a school. The church was rebuilt, in 1866. Then the temple was made. And of course it has wonderful frescoes with fine colors and covers all the periods of the famous art of Chioniades. Indeed, wherever you stand, you think the eyes of the saints are facing you, something rare.

St Nikolaos

Saint Nicholas is today a small chapel near the cemetery of the village in the place of an old temple built 400 years ago years and which according to tradition was the old central church of the village. This temple was frescoed, but from the many repairs, few fragments were saved in the Sacred Intention. A small figure of a saint, a remnant of old frescoes, is estimated to date back to the early 17th century. The icons of the temple and other chapels have been removed from their place and kept in a safer place.

Old chapels

Dedicated to Virgin ( Panagia), Saint Paraskevi, Prophet Elias and the Holy Trinity.

The old and the new school

In the village square there are two stone buildings, which formed the old and the new school of Chionades. The building of the old school was built in 1905. It is a small oblong building with a characteristic porch at the entrance, which consists of two stone-built pillars supporting a small shed with a triangular pediment. The building, when the new school was built, housed the community offices and the village café.

Activities

From Chionades, hikers and mountaineers can make various nice trips both on Grammos and further afield to Aetomilitsa and the Arenes Mountains (2197m). It goes without saying that you need a good physical condition, as well as an experienced guide because the paths are not marked and do not exist on maps.

Grammos is known mainly for his warfare in World War II and Civil War and for many years his villages have been isolated.The massif of Grammos, which is part of the Natura 2000 network (Ecological Network for the Protection of Regions of the European Union), presents an impressive ensemble due to the diversity of its relief.

With the homonymous pyramidal peak dominating majestically at 2,520 m and a number of peaks with an altitude well above the 2000 m. ιt composes an impressive ridge with a length of over 15 kilometers and a north-south direction. The geological formations, the many and high peaks forming valleys (Grammosta, Aetomilitsa, Plikati), the beautiful alpine lakes (Grammosta, Moutsalia) and the rich flora and fauna make it one of the most beautiful and interesting natural landscapes.

Events

On July 20 a feast in the chapel of Prophet Elias takes place.

<p>The post Chioniades – The beautiful village of folk painters 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>

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>

It is located on the outskirts of Smolikas and it combines natural beauty with traditional architecture.

History and Information

Ganadio was declared a traditional settlement in 1979 and has preserved almost intact its architectural wealth. The mansions show the economic prosperity of the region. The “crowds” of craftsmen of Ganadio in Greece and abroad as well as commercial activities of many immigrants from the Balkans brought money to the village.

The stone houses of the village are small forts, some even have loopholes. In the 19th century, the village became target for the thieves for consecutive times. Even the women had learned to handle weapons to protect their property alongside men.

The architecture of the houses is very interesting. That is because the design and size determines the social stratification of the people . The houses, built in “Π” shape, belonged to the rulers, those that had “Γ” meant belonged to the middle class and simple squares were those of the poor. The colors on the windows, doors and inside the houses are ocher, dark green and burgundy.

During 1950 till 1960 the “devastation” of the site took place. Its inhabitants fled in search of a better luck in big cities or close to their relatives, who had earlier emigrated to America, Australia, Romania and Egypt with their thought always in the village.

What to see in Ganadio

In the central square there is a large plane tree that dominates the sacred temple of Archangels. The temple is an aisled basilica built with hewn stone in 1856 by master builder Charisiadis and “hosts” precious religious relics.

These two buildings, as well as the temple of Archangels in the square, were built with money from Spyridon Xynos, who made a big fortune trading in the Balkan countries.

Next to the church is the “amiliko”, an old inn, where in the ground floor the stables for horses are kept till today and on the 1st floor the guesthouse is located. Finally, the cafe fills the central square setting.

Ganadio comes to life only every August, when people who have emigrated come and meet each other for two weeks. After that time the “Stone Village” lives another “stone winter” with fewer than 20 inhabitants.

<p>The post Ganadio – One of the three “Stone Villages” 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>

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>