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Ioannina map
Capital: Ioannina
Overview:
Ioannina, a historic
"Metropolis of Knowledge" during the Byzantine Empire, is today a
financial and cultural centre connecting Athens and Thessaloniki to Igoumenitsa
and other cities. It is 450 km North West from Athens, 60 km south of the
Albanian border, in the middle of a plain (600m altitude), surrounded by
mountains. Natural wealth and cultural heritage, archaeological and religious
sites, traditional settlements and festivals impress visitors all year round.
Best Ioannina
Sights:
- the Ioannina Castle
- the ancient oracle of Dodoni
- the archaeological site of Dodoni, 13 miles from
Ioannina
- Paschaleios School, with the
"Charta" (Chart) of Rigas Pherraios
- the remains of a Mollossian settlement in Vitsa
Places to visit:
- Stone Bridges, such as in Zagori
- The Pre-Historical Monuments Exhibition and the
Environmental Education Centre, in Konitsa
- Art Galleries and Museums
- The Cave of Perama
- Lourros Springs
- Pamvotida Lake and the
Nissaki islet
- Valia Calda, the National Park and the NATURA
2000 regions
- Vikos Gorge, the National
Park of Vikos-Aoos and the
NATURA 2000 regions
- Zagorochoria
- Metsovo, famous
for the Pass of Katara over the Pindus
Mountains at 1707m
Special Events:
Very famous are the Epirotika
Festival in the summer, with performances of ancient drama at Dodoni, and the
Wine Festival in Zitsa. Festivities also and celebrations on saints' days all
year round keep the traditional religious element in villages alive.
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