EPIRUS---The region northwest...
by xoparmeno
EPIRUS---The region northwest of the country, this part of Greece has many unique scenic beauties as well as a separate cultural identity. Its baundaries are formed by mountain chain of the 'Pindus' in the northeast, and the Ionian coastline in the west. It comprises of 4 administrative provinces : Ioannina, Thesprotia, Preveza and Arta.
IOANNINA (YANINA):
Although an old town with a distinctive past, the modern city is built on a scope approximately 500mt above lake Pamvotis. It is a city with much natural beauty and interesting history, which can be seen in its folk art museum which has many displays of local grafts; its archaeological museum with many significant finds from all over Epirus, and ,its wax museum of Vrellis which displays wax effigies of famous perconalities of the Greek revolution.
In the middle of lake Pamvotis is a tiny islet - nissaki - which can be visited by small boats and has 2 major sights worth visiting; the philanthropinon monastery which among other things depicts the seven sages of antiquity and the pre-revolutionary museum.
Dodoni - one of the oldest archaeological sites in Greece, is a very important place of interest and with its ancient theatre where theatrical performances are still held to this day in the summer months, should be on everyones list as a must to visit.
Metsovo - located 60km east of Ioannina, is truly one of the most graphic villages in Greece. The people of this town keep many of the traditions of woodcarving and weaving alive to this day as well as producing the most delicious cheeces and wines! Metsovo is also a popular ski resort in the winter months and a hiker's paradice in the warmer months.
The Zagorohoria - or raughly translated means the villages of Zagoria , comprice of over 40 traditional settlements and have as natural borders the river Aoos, Mt.Mitsikeli and Mt.Gamila. This area is rich in animal and plant life.The houses are unique in that they are constructed of stone. Kayaking in the river Aoos is an activity that is fast catching on due to its fast waters.
The Walled Old Town & Citadel
by matza
A Stroll Around the Frourio: The Walled Old Town & Citadel / For many of the centuries that Ioannina fell under the occupation of foreign conquerors, city walls enclosed all the most important structures. There's virtually nothing of historic or architectural importance outside the citadel except on the islet of Nissi. Originally the fortress was separated from the mainland by a moat, which was crossed by three bridges. The moat has since been filled in. An esplanade now circles the lakeside below the walls, and there are several openings in the wall, but most people will enter the walls from the Plateia Yioryio, which is lined by tavernas and gift shops.
Perama cave
by JLBG
Perama cave is 4 km out of Ioanina in the direction of Metsovo and can be reached by bus n° 8. It is considered as one of the most beautiful caves in the Balkans. The visit is on almost 2 km of galleries and gigantic rooms, illuminated in order to enhance the outstanding concretions. When we visited, the guide gave its explanation only in Greek which is not a real problem for those who have already visited this type of caves elsewhere (I visited several in France). Recent visitors report the same. Explanations are not really needed! A visit not to miss!
Sorry, I did not take any photo!
Kyra-Vassiliki
by StefanosS
Kyra-Vassiliki as presented by Pavlos Vrellis in his Waxwork Historical Museum.
Vassiliki was saved after the intervention of the Patriarch of Constantinople who took her under his protection and later, in 1830, she came to the first liberated Greek State and was honoured by the first Governor of Greece, but soon she was completely forgotten… She died alone, poor and abandoned in 1834, in a village of Western Greece…
Ali-pasha museum is dedicated to this sad story. One could see the bullet holes on the floor where Ali was killed. Unfortunately the building was destroyed by the fall of a huge tree and it was rebuilt on exactly the same style.
There are also carpets, clothes and some other related articles preserved, as Ali’s palace and the harem building were completely destroyed by the forces of Hursit-pasha.
Perama Cave
by mindcrime
Don’t miss the famous cave at Perama. It’s a beautiful cave with 19 different kinds of stalactites. The cave was founded there during the 2nd world war by accident while the inhabitants were trying to find a place to hide when the german planes bombed the area! The one that found the cave saw a bear coming out of it! He’s not alive anymore but his bairns live in the village. The cave is located at the Goritsa hill, just over the village and from there you have a great view of the lake and Ioannina city. In 1956 fossil teeth and bones of the bear of the cave. The cave was explored by Giannis and Anna Petrochilos and became the first cave in Greece that opened to the public. It’s 1,500,000 years old!!
You can spend 45’ there walking for about a kilometers inside, first you go down but at the end the track is upwards. There are some interesting shapes of stalactites and stalagmites and some of them have funny name like “Statue of Liberty”, “Santa Claus” etc Every hall has also different names like “Hall of the Cross” because of the stalactite that looks like a cross etc
The museum is open daily after 8:00-20:00 (in winter 9:00-sunset) and the entrance fee is 7 euros
The village of Perama has many taverns, some cafe and a lot of gift shops. You can stroll around for a while. The view from the cave over the village is great and on a clear day you can enjoy the view of the lake and Ioannina.
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Municipal Gallery
canoe cayak race at Pamvitida lake
cannons inside the castle
a typical store of the city
