The village Ano Pedina is located in the heart of Central Zagori on the southwestern slopes of Tymfi. It is built at 960 meters on a small plateau, at the north of Mitsikeli.
Ano Pedina have as a background the lush mountain scenery and the beautiful local architecture. They are the perfect choice to escape to a different setting. The traditional colors, the well-preserved houses and mansions, the wonderful tourist accommodations and the peace that prevails are some of the elements that justify the increased tourist traffic.
Short Historical Information
Originally the village was named Ano Soudena. In 1928 it was renamed to Ano Kampos. But a year later in 1929 it got its present name Ano Pedina. The name “Soudena” is derived from the Slavic Studend which means cold. It is also derived from Stountena -stdena-Zdena, a false etymology from the word Souda.
The village is known since 1361 and it is mentioned in the bull of Serbian ruler Simeon. Simeon recognised to John Tsafas Oursinis the possession of extensive areas in Epirus. However, it is unknown when it was originally built.
The teacher of the Nation and national benefactor Neophytos Doukas (1760-1845) was one of the people who came from Ano Pedina. He was a clergyman and scholar as well as director of the Bucharest School and first director of Rizarios School. Also, John Lampridis (1839-1891), philosopher, donor in Athens University and scholar of Epirus culture came from the village.
What to see in Ano Pedina
At the entrance of the village you can find the monastery of Evagelistria with a fortress form. The church (basilica with dome) is dedicated to the Annunciation. It was built according to an inscription in 1793 and it was decorated in 1809. Inscribed images of the 18th and 19th century are still preserved.
During the times of prime in the 18th and 19th century they built remarkable buildings. It was considered as a “spiritual focus”, launched by the monastery of Evaggelistria (1790).
It was on 08.29.1944 the Germans burned the village. This incident resulted in four houses being burned and also one victim.
Other important monuments of the village is the church of Agios Dimitrios (1793) and the old school which houses the library of Neophytos Doukas with rare books. Since 1934 Labriadios School was operating, where classes of weaving took place until 2006. However, at 2006 it was closed due to lack of schoolgirls.
Moreover, in September 2012 the Department of Biological Applications and Technologies began the process of trasnfering the School to Ioannina University. The purpose was to create a Research Station in Zagori. Therefore, they would be able to attract researchers to the area and students from Greece, Europe and elsewhere.
