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IPIROS
IPIROS
Although large portions of Ipiros have suffered denudation at the hands of mankind, others remain thickly wooded. In fact, some of the largest and most beautiful forests in Greece are to be found in Ipiros. The Black Pine (Pinus Nigra) is predominant as well as dessiduous trees, such as beech and oak, white the higher peaks are clad in the famous Rombola tree, a form of pine peculiar to the Balkan peninsula. The variety of wild flowers which grow in Ipiros runs into thousands. Some are quite impressive in appearance, such as the Lilium Candidum or Wild Virgin Lilly as it is called in Greek, the Albanian Lilly the "Poet's Narcissus", Ramonda Serbica and many others.
Woodcarving attained a high artistic standard as seen on elaborately carved altar screens which, today, form unique examples of popular culture. The outstanding feature of these traditional settlements in Ipiros is the local grey stone out of which they are built. It is a form of slate found in successive layers of varying thickness. Quarrying and chiselling it is easy, and it is therefore used, not only for building the walls of houses but also for enclosures, floors, courtyards and roofs. In this manner, an entire village blends in with the surrounding rocks and forests in an unbroken entity. During the years of Ottoman rule, the arts and crafts flourished in all forms. Many of the villages such as Sirako, Kalarites, Metsovo, Hionades and the capital, Ioannina itself, grew into noteworthy artistic centres with brisk activity in the establishments of goldsmiths and silversmiths, in gold embroidery, woven fabrics, woodcarving, etc. These traditional arts and crafts have carried through to the present day, especially at Ioannina and Metsovo where several notable master craftsmen are to be seen in their workshops. On various dates each summer, village fairs are held all over Ipiros. A point is made on these occasions to revive and observe old customs, folk dances . and folk songs, of which there is an extensive repertoire. The best known celebration is that of Agia Paraskevi (26th July) which takes place at Metsovo. At this celebration, the inhabitants have to dance in their local national costume. For those interested in ancient drama, there are the theatrical presentations during the Dodoni Festival which takes place in the open - air ancient theatre of Dodoni.
METSOVOMetsovo is perched high up at an altitude of 1116 m., 58
kms from Ioannina and 89 kms from Trikala. It is an attractive mountain village with
several interesting things to show. One is the completely restored traditional mansion of
the Tositsa family which now serves as a Folkloric Museum, the Church of Agia Paraskevi
and the Monastery of Agios Nikolaos which contains post-Byzantine frescoes. KONITSAThe town stands at an altitude of 602 m at a distance of
63 kms from Ioannina. It is built amphitheatrically along the thickly wooded slopes of Mt.
Trapezitsa (2022 m) and has an excellent climate. The houses have wooden ceilings and
latticed windows. SIRAKO - KALARITESThese villages stand at an altitude of 1100 m, 51 kms from Ioannina, of which 30 kms are along an asphalt road. They are excellent specimens of well presewed settlements in the true traditional style, S.E. of Ioannina with fine two and three-storeyed stone mansions and churches. From Sirako a track leads down to the bed of the Hroussia River canyon and then the track climbs up from the crystal cool waters to the village Kalarites which stands directly opposite, on the other bank. It takes half hour to go down or climb up.
DODONIThis lies 21 kms S.W. of Ioannina and is one of the most
important archeological sites in Ipiros. The ancient oracle is still there, founded
originally by the Pelasgians as well as ruins of an Early Christian basilica built over
the foundations of the ancient temple of the Dodonian Zeus, a citadel and an ancient open
- air theatre, one of the largest in Greece. PIGES LOYROY (The Louros Springs)At a distance of 31 kms from Ioannina, quite close to the main Ioannina - Arta highway, the springs form a small lake in the mountainside and from it flow the ample sources of the Louros River. There are trout farms in the vicinity. ZITSAAn attractive village 26 km from Ioannina, in the typical traditional style of the district, surrounded by the vineyards which produce the select Zitsa wine. On a hill overlooking Zitsa is the noteworthy Monastery of Profitis Elias which contains fine frescoes. ARTAArta, the second largest town in Ipiros, is 360 kms from Athens. The town is known for its famous stone bridge, the largest and oldest in Greece and for the numerous Byzantine monuments in and around the town. The Arta Bridge is on the outskirts of the town and spans the River Arahthos. Inside the town stands the large church of Panagia Parigoritissa (built in the 13th century), unique in style throughout Greece because it contains several elements of Western architecture in its interior and has a peculiar system of supports for its dome. Nowadays the church is used as a museum exhibiting finds belonging to various periods. The town's ancient theatre and its fortress have also survived. Other churches belonging to Byzantine times, sited in the town of Arta, are those of Agion Theodoron which contains very attractive capitals and Agios Vasilios with excellent ceramic exterior decoration. At small distances in the surroundings of Arta, there is the Monastery of Kato Panagia, the Monastery of Vlachairnon and the churches of Agios Demetrios Katsoulis and Panagia Rodia, all belonging to the period when Ipiros was under Despotic rule (13th century). With Arta as a point of departure, it is worth taking the road which follows the banks of the Arahthos River and goes through the villages of Rodavgi and Dafnoti to a spot known as Plaka where is a graceful, old stone bridge and from where the road leads on to Agnanda (58 kms from Arta) and thence to Pramanda (70 kms from Arta). Both are head villages or townships built in the large meadow surrounded by the tall peaks of the Southern Pindus range. At a distance of 5 kms from Pramanda, there is the Anemotripa Pramandon cave. In the surrounding mountain area there are numerous villages to visit which retain B traditional characteristics, such as Mahouki, Melissourgi and others. Taking another road out of Arta one can drive to Skoulikaria (50 kms). Nearby stands the Monastery of Kimissis Theotokou originally an 11th century building which was burnt down during Greece's War of Independence in 1821 and was rebuilt in 1854. A small distance short of Skoulikaria, near the village of Velentziko (45 kms) stands the Monastery of Rovelista, a prominent monastery during the centuries of Ottoman rule. IGOUMENITSAThis town and port, 94 kms from Ioannina, is the ferry - boat terminal in Ipiros for the link with Corfu and Italy. It has Customs and Health authorities as well as a passport control office and foreign currency exchange facilities. FILIATES An attractive township, 18 kms beyond Igoumenitsa which retains much of its traditional character and several old mansions built in the typical Ipiros style. There are also some notable public buildings such as the School, the Hospital and, at a distance of 4 kms., the Monastery of Giromeriou, built in 1285. At the village of Tsamantas, near Filiates, there also exists a small Museum of Folk Art. PARAMITHIA HOW TO GET THEREBy Sea By Road
SPORTS
USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS
OFFICES OF THE ONTO IN IPIROS
INFORMATION OFFICES RUN BY THE MUNICIPALITIES
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Ipiros occupies
the N.W. corner of the Greek peninsula, to the South of Albania and is the most
mountainous region in Greece. The skyline of the Pindus range forms the natural eastern
boundary of the area, separating it from but also linking it with other sections of the
country. Beyond the Pindus range lie scores of other large and small mountains, scattered
all over the district and leaving only very few plains. To the West stretches the vast
expanse of the lonian Sea with its attractive beaches, lagoons, and river estuaries where
thousands of waterfowl thrive.
The fauna is as impressive as the flora and includes, bears, wild boar, wild cat, wild
goat and the almost unknown Rissos quadruped plus a number of birds of prey and waterfowl.
Well preserved traditional settlements in Ipiros, in their unique local style, serve as
live museums of the recent phases in the area's history, covering the years of Ottoman
rule and more recent times. When the Turks overran Ipiros in the 15th century, certain
mountainous districts managed to ensure for themselves a degree of self-rule. This enabled
both their economy and culture to flourish. Architecture, especially, made great strides
with the construction of large, private mansions, schools, churches, bridges and roads.
The arts flourished with a continuation of the genuine Byzantine style of painting,
untouched by any western influence.
Access to Ipiros from the N.W. is via Italy and the Corfu - Igoumenitsa
ferry. From the N.E. there is a connection from western Macedonia via Pendalofo and
Eptahori, from the East the road comes from Kalambaka to Metsovo and from the South the
road comes up from Athens, via Patras, Agrinio and Amfilohia.
