SIGHTS

CHURHES AND MONASTERIES

Krania: The Holy Abbey of Timios Stavros Dolianon, having 13 cupolas, is one of the most appreciable Byzantine temples in Greece. It was built at the end of the 18th century as a Basilica Cistern. Initially, it functioned as monastery but was abandoned in 1924. The temple has been characterized as a protected monument from the Ministry of Culture.

“The temple of Stavrou is characterized by its strange architecture. In the interior of the holy step there are a seated throne and an Episcopal throne. Nonetheless, it is without hagiographies. The central dome has also a lamp, as a thirteenth dome “. Eleni Tsimpida, archaeologist, Ministry of Culture.

Saint Paraskevi: The temple of Saint Paraskevi (1896)is in the center of the village, as well as, the chapels of the Apostles Petros and Pavlos and Saint Marina and the temple of Saint George (before 1790) with a cruciate dome.

Polythea: Saint Demetrius (1830) with the impressive stone built steeple.

Anthoyssa: A lot of monuments are saved, such as the church of Saint Paraskevi (1736) north of the village, as well as the temple of Saint Panton (1786) in the square of the village. The monastery of the Mother of God the Galaktotrofousa (1799) is southwest of the village next to Aspropotamos that is one of the most important monuments of the region. Today the monastery has been declared as preserved, its roof has been repaired and its destroyed cells rebuilt.

Katafyto: The aisled basilica of Saint Nicholas (1763) is preserved.

Stefani: Admire the aisled basilica of Saint Paraskevi (1770).

Xaliki: The monastery of Prophet Ilias (1835) is in the entry of the village and the temple of the previous monastery of Metamorphosi of Sotiros (1783). Surrounding the temples are the ruins of nuns’ cells. In the square of the village, the church of Saint Paraskevi (1725) is impressive which has an aisled splint with a zenana and also includes the chapel of Saint Dimitrios. Moreover, the temple of Saint George, of the same century, is situated opposite the village. In Xaliki there are also three small temples of Saint Apostoloi, Saint Modestos and Saint Athanasios.

Kallirroi: The temple of Dormition of the Mother of God (before 1600) was burnt and rebuilt. The old steeple was only rescued. The temple of Saint Nicholas (before 1600) was demolished in 1970 and rebuilt while a part of the chancel screen was rescued.

STONE BRIDGES

The stone bridges of Aspropotamos: Almost in all the villages the visitor will encounter old stone-built arched bridges. The most notable are the bridge of Michou in Anthoussa, the bridges of Michalaki Filou and Kaprarias in Xaliki and the bridge of Gkika in Krania. The bridges link the past with the future.

OLD MANSIONS

The stone-built Residences: The stones are abundant in the region. It is not surprising that the main material of manufacture of the residences was Stone. Its welding was accomplished with lime and sand. The lime derived from the burning of the stones in various lime places of the villages. The builders were mainly from Epirus from villages as Michalitsi and Pramanta. Above the frames cedar chips were used because of their resistance. On the side of the main entry there were voids in the two sides that were filled with timber that secured the door. The thickness of walls was 60 centimeters. The thick walls ensured the need for protection from cold and warm weather. The roofs were constructed with trunks of fir and plates. The materials were transported with horses following the paths of the villages. The fitting of the plates required experienced and elaborate craftsmen which emanated mainly from Epirus. The residences included an upper level, a basement, a cellar and a corner. The upper level was mainly the reception area for the visitors. In the corner there was a fireplace, the gikos and ministres (wardrobe) and was used as a bedroom. The cellar was a useful storage space products for the family. The mansions had vast space and volume. Furthermore, they included balconies. Many of them had impressive front doors. Today, many traditional houses are preserved in the Extended Community which draw the visitor’s attention. Xaliki and Anthoussa have been declared traditional settlements, while most houses of the region contain traditional elements.

The old Mansions in the village Xaliki: Visit the village Xaliki with the old stone Mansions. Even though many of the stone roofs of the houses have been replaced with modern ones, many houses reveal the splendid art of the stone. The konaki of Christos Drosos, Mr. Ziozia, A. Dimaki, as well as the school of the village, are eloquent representatives of this art. Many of the new houses are built in accordance to the art of the stone.

The old Mansions in the village Anthoussa: The mansion of Papastergiou has been declared a monument of the modern history of the traditional settlement of Anthoussa. It is a stone-built building of 1877. The windows are protected with elaborately metal railings. A distinctive feature is the “Zematistra”, a pipe that leads above the central entry and through it the residents of the house threw boiling water to invaders. Today the mansion is abandoned. (Text KENAKAP)

The old Mansions in the village Tzourtzia: Tzourtzia is one of the few villages of the region that were not burnt during the second world war from the Germans and a lot of stone-built houses have been rescued. In the site www.tamos.gr you will find a tribute on the stone-built houses of Tzourtzia.

STONE TAPS

The stone taps of the region of Aspropotamos: There are several taps that reflect the splendid art of the stone. A representative of this art is the stone tap in the square of the village Anthoussa where the water exits from the mouth of a human head stone, as well as, the stone built taps of Filou (1800) and Foniska (end of 1900) in the village Xaliki. A remarkable tap (1877) with two skips is encountered in Polythea which was renovated by the cultural association of the village. In all the villages of the region, you will meet gorgeous stone-built taps.

DRAKOLIMNI BERLIGKA

Near the village Xaliki we encounter the “Dragon Lake” Berligka third in line of Pindos that describes so well Kostas Krystallis (the text was published in the magazine “Parnassos” in 1890). During the summer of 1998 the journalist of the newspaper “TA NEA” Yannis Ntretogiannis visited the “Dragon Lake” of Berligka and wrote a very descriptive article. An extract follows:

“Besides the two well- known dragons, that lived one on the top of Smolika (Lyggos) and the other on Gkamila (or Tymfi) and fought there was also a third. A beast that was not seen. Some said that he looked like a huge snake, while others like a strong black ram. This third dragon lake was circular, smaller than the other two and the Villagers of the region named it Brigga (circle). This Dragon Lake does no longer does not have water from the beginning of the summer until the end of autumn something completely normal, since it dries up.The Dragon Lakes constitute a geological phenomenon that belongs to the Ice Age. Certainly the traces of the Ice have disappeared from the Greek mountains and the only elements that have remained are the Black Pine and the Dragon Lakes that have a certain limit of life. Xaliki at 1.150 meters is the northern village of the region of Aspropotamos and you can reach it either from Pyli of Trikala or from Kalabaka or from Metsovo.

WATERFALLS OF THE REGION

The waterfalls of Aspros. Near the village Xaliki, we come across the sources of the Acheloos River which the locals call it Aspropotamos. On the way from Xaliki to Rona and Bourtopa (to Metsovo) you will encounter the sources of the river that create impressive waterfalls. Some of them exceed the 5 meters, approaching them is relatively easy and the spectacle that they offer is impressive.

The waterfall of Tzourtzia. The biggest waterfall of the region is near the village Tzourtzia, which the locals call it “The mantani of the Demon”. Its height exceeds the 15 meters and it is located at 1000 meters altitude. Reaching it is a small adventure!

FOLKLORE MUSEUMS

Krania: In 2001 a Folklore museum functioned for the first time in Krania that was created by the cultural association of the village. It is accommodated in the school of the village that was renovated for this reason. The museum displays plenty of exhibits such as traditional woven, looms, bridal bed & sarmanitsa, kitchen utensils, and a big photographic file. Visit the Museum in order to admire its rich exhibits.

Anthoussa: In the village Anthoussa a Folklore Museum has been created from the cultural association and the unforgettable, eternal lover of Aspropotamos and Anthoussa, D.A. Alexiou. The space that it is accommodated is the old school of the village that has been renovated.

Xaliki: The Cultural association of Xaliki renovated the old municipal school which functions as a Cultural center. It contains a remarkable exhibit with folklore objects that the residents donated.

Center of Environmental Information-congress centre. In the region Tria Potamia of Aspropotamos the Centre of Environmental Information was founded. The Environmental company ARKTOUROS studied and created the exhibits of the Centre. Its goal is to present the natural and anthropogenic environment of the region and facilitate the visitor to his tour and orientation. The exhibits include:

A three-Dimensional model of the region, geophysical map, where the elements of the natural environment appear, the monuments, the bridges etc.
A schematic map of the region, with emphasis on the natural wealth and mainly on the wild life and its habitats.
An exhibition surface, where the traditional activities that were developed in the region are presented (transformation of timber, farming.)
An exhibition surface, where the monasteries and the monuments, the archeological and religious spaces of the region are presented.

THE BEST SIGHTS.

The Dragon Lake in May and June, when the snows melt.
The Holy Abbey of Timios Stavros Dolianon with the 13 domes,
The double-arched bridge of Michou in Anthoyssa, the most important bridge of the region,
The old Mansions in all the Villages,
The church of Saint Paraskevi (1725) in Xaliki,
The monastery of the Mother of God the “Galaktotrofousa” (1799) in Anthoussa,
The “Mantani of the Demon” in Tzourtzia, the biggest waterfall in the region,
The centre of Environmental Information in the administration building,
The traditional watermills in most villages,
The bridge of Filos at the river Acheloos,
The shelters of wild animals in Stefani and Katafyto,
The first fonts of Acheloos near Xaliki and the three waterfalls that form Kakarditsa,
The highest mountain of south Pindos, the Monastery of Prophet Ilias in Xaliki.