Epirus (Ipiros), in the northwest corner
of Greece, is mostly mountainous. It borders with Sterea Ellada
to the southeast, with Macedonia to the northeast, with Albania
to the northwest, and with the Ionian sea and the Amvrakic Gulf
to the southwest. Due to its alpine nature and the nearness
of its western and southern parts to the sea, the climate of
Epirus is continental in the interior and mild in the coastal
areas. This part of Greece hosts dozens of large and small mountains,
chief among them the Pindus range.
The mountains give the impression that they are
rising up out of the, sea, out of the Ionian.
Forests, wild vegetation, lagoons, rivers, wet-lands, provide
sanctuary to thousands of birds. Fabulous beaches and unforgettable
verdant shores bathed in sunlight are washed by the emerald
Ionian. Here, in Epirus, life flows as quietly as the rivers.
Here life is filled with the songs of the migratory birds and
the whispering of the leaves. Here the soul is resurrected in
some picturesque village, some magical town.
Ioannina
Ioannina is built on the shores of lake
Pamvotida. It is the largest and prettiest city in
Epirus, decorated with old buildings, narrow streets, and natural
charms. The area around the town has other attractions, such
as the village of Perama witn the famous cave,
Mouzakaioi with the wax museum, the island
in the lake across from Ioannina. From there one climbs up to
Metsovo, the beautiful mountain village known
for its embroidery and its dairy products.
Continuing north one comes to the Vikos
gorge. Here, in amidst incredible mountain scenery are 46 villages
known as the Zagorochoria.
In the varied vegetation one encounters picturesque
churches, old mansions, bridges, and traditional settlements.
At an altitude of 602 meters is the small town of Konitsa
with the famous gorge formed by the river Aoos. A little
higher, at 1,100 meters, are two of the best preserved traditional
settlements, Sirako and Kalarites.
Dodoni in Epirus was the second oracle of ancient
Greece after Delphi. Its temple was dedicated to Zeus.
The nearby theatre was one of the largest of antiquity. Several
other ruins bear testament to the importance of the site. The
springs of Louros and Zitsa are sources of fine
mineral water.
left:The river Voidomatis. It is among the
cleanest rivers in Europe
Arta
Arta a is the second largest town in Epirus and is especially
well known for its fabled bridge and the Byzantine monuments
that remain in and around the town.
Preveza
The entrance to the Amvrakic Gulf is guarded
by Preveza and its port. The uniquely beautiful
town is close to ancient Nikopolis (1st century
B.C.) Kassopi and Mesopotamos.
Parga has plenty of water to irrigate its fertile
and verdant land.
Parga
Thesprotia
Finally, Igoumenitsa is the exit-harbour from Epirus
and the entrance-harbour to the Ionian and its islands.
