A journey through the history of Epirus that starts before the Revolution of 1821 and reaches the beginning of World War II, through green mountains, alpine lakes, gorges, traditional villages, running waters and impressive mountain ranges.
The martyrdom of Paramythia, the heroic Souli and the legendary Zalongo
We start from the martyrdom of Paramythia, where in September 1943, the Germans gave the order to execute 49 prokrites. The old Primary School was their place of imprisonment before the execution.
Descending towards Glyki, next to the river Acheron, we head towards the Skala of Tzavelaina, the path that will lead us to Suliotochoria. In Mili Souliou, a fairytale landscape “pops up” before our eyes, overgrown, with running waters and small waterfalls creating an impressive scenery. There, in the traditional watermill, the people of Souliot used to grind their grain. Heading towards the mountainous village of Souliou, we meet the house of Lambros Tzavellas, leader of the Souliotes and a brave warrior.
From the hill with the church of Agios Donatos, the patron saint of all of Thesprotia, we face Kougi – a symbol of self-sacrifice – with the chapel of Agia Paraskevi. Where the monk Samuel and five Souliotes blew up the powder magazine so as not to deliver it to Ali Pasha.
Before we leave Souli for Zalongo, with the impressive statue that bears witness to the fate of the brave Souliotian women who, with their legendary dance, ended their lives in order not to surrender, we will make a stop at the castle of Kiafa. At this point, the Souliotes, led by Mosho Tzavella, surprised the Turkish troops with their momentum and forced Ali Pasha to return to Ioannina, ashamed.
Historic and beautiful Pindos
Beautiful green villages “nestled” in the embrace of Pindos, the largest mountain range in Greece, invite us to come and tell us their history and unfold their rare beauties. Where the Greek army and the inhabitants of the area bravely resisted the invaders of 1940.
“Local women carried ammunition and food to the soldiers and the local men fought with them.
We start from Ioannina to Kalpaki – a reference point for the war of 1940. There is the War Museum 1940-1941, the cave – the headquarters of commander Katsimitros and high on the hill Silitoura stands proudly the monument of the Greek fighter.
Next stop in Konitsa. At its entrance we see the famous Aoos Gorge with the largest single-arch bridge in Europe, which creates a magical landscape “out of a fairy tale”.
We continue to Eptachori, the headquarters of General Davakis. In its large square, which in autumn is covered by the golden yellow leaves of the trees, the traditional instruments used to resound for the dances that the general used to set up on the eve of the war, encouraging the inhabitants and soldiers.
The final station was Vovousa, where the numerous division “Julia” was defeated. An enchanting settlement in the Pindos National Park, the “warm valley” of Epirus, Vallia Kalda. On the paths that connect Vovousa with Metsovo, we may meet the brown bear, which has found refuge in the calm, now peaceful nature.
