Katsanochoria: the villages around us

The Katsanochoria is an area south of Ioannina in the region Epiros (or: Epirus). It consists of 11 villages and is situated on the foot of the Xirovouni mountain, between the higher mountain ranges Tzoumerka (Athanamania) and Tomaros. We came to live here in 2009 and by now proudly call ourselves ‘Katsáni’. We’re members of the Association of the Katsani (Anna is even a committee member).

Until the 18^th century this area was called Tomarochoria: ‘the villages of the skin traders’. While this craft perished the inhabitants switched to various other smallscale trade and the name changed: a katsános is a small trader. Until 2017 the aged greengrocer visited our village every week.

The villages Elliniko, Aetorachi, Lazaina, Kostitsi, Fortosi, Nistora, Patero, Kalentzi, Plesia, Pigadia (Valtsora) and Koritiani all have their own merits. The smallest is Nistora, our village, with 6 permanent inhabitants and an own Facebook page. Elliniko is the largest village with some hundreds of inhabitants. In the summer the population grows, people return from Ioannina but also from elsewhere in Greece to their ‘paternal home’ to renew old ties and to work the land.

Highlights
The area has many places of touristic interest, there’s something for everyone. This blog will be extended with more details and pictures.

• The waterfall and watermill of Klifki.
• The Kastro: the remains of the castsle of Olympia, mother of Alexander the Great.
• The museum of Theodoros Papagiannis in Elliniko, sculptor and painter.
• The inhabited Tsouka monastery (1190) in Elliniko, with breathtaking view into the Arachthos gorge and a 17^th century chapel surrounded by wax thread.
• The watermill of Vrania near Elliniko.
• The view from the Profitis Ilias chapel in Kostitsi into the Arachthos gorge.
• The Resistance museum and monument in Aetorachi.
• The bunkers of Bizani, where the Balkan war (1912-1913) was fought in which also this last part of Greece was liberated from the Turkish rule.
• The historical stone arched bridge of Politsa over the Arachthos river.
• The Lysia meta hanging bridge over the Arachthos river (see the walks).
• The monastery of Agios Ioannis near Plesia.
• A historical tower and oracle between Fortosi and Patero.
• Splendid churches in every village.
• Lovely squares with cosy cafees and majestic plane trees.
• The Nationaal Park Tzoumerka-Arachthos, situated at the edge of the area.

Restaurants, cafees and accommodations
In the following villages you’ll find accommodation and/or a place to eat and drink (alphabetical order):

• Aetorachi: café and rent rooms Sotiris (on the square).
• Elliniko: guest house Athina, taverna Karabas (on the road towards the Tsouka monastery), traditional café next to the museum, café Drouvis above the square.
• Kalentzi: guest house Rodami, café-taverna Katsaros (on the main road).
• Kostitsi: Princess Lanassa hotel and opposite a traditional café.
• Lazena: café-taverna and rent rooms To Stalisma (on the square), café Ippostrouth (on the main road near the crossroads).
• Plesia: Alexandra hotel, rent rooms Magda, café-taverna on the square, minimarket and café-restaurant Pantazis on the main road.
• Patero: café-restaurant (opposite the church).
• Nistora/Faneromeni: café-taverna Panorama.
• Koritiani: café (on the road towards the Simeon kerk, seldom open).
• Pigadia (Valtsora): café-restaurant Agia Paraskevi (on the square).

Walks and other activities
Several walks are available. More information will follow in this blog.

• Elliniko – Lysia bridge – Kostitsi (v.v.)

• Politsa brug – Arachthos river (v.v.)
• Kalentzi – Klifki waterfall and watermill – Kastro – Kalentzi
• Pigadia – Xirovouni – Pigadia (circular)
• Kalentzi – Plesia – Koritiani – Nistora – Kalentzi (circular)
• Aetorachi – monument Balkan war – Serviana – Bizani (v.v.)
• Kalentzi – Kastro – ridge (v.v.)

You may sail the Arachthos river by raft, ‘hotdog’ or kayak. You start at the Politsa bridge or the Gogou bridge (longer trip), sail along the Klifki waterfall and end at the Plaka bridge, the largest single arched bridge of the Balkan. These tours are offered by:

• Trekking Hellas Tzoumerka, Dimitris Papageorgiou, gsm +30 679 203 1553; our preferred supplier, cooperates with hotel Gefiri Plakas in Monolithi.
• Via Natura; cooperates with hotel Teleioni in Monolithi.
• Alpine Zone; cooperates with hotel Lanassa in Kostitsi.

These organisations also offer other outdoor activities like archery, flying fox. rock climbing and rappel.

Maps and literature
The best map for this region is Anavasi 3.2|4.2 - South Pindos, ISBN 978-960-9412-186.

Some books with information in Greek:

• Explorer Ipiros, ISBN 9-789608-21406.
• Road Ipiros, ISBN 9-789608-189430.

Some websites with information, mostly in Greek:

• Elliniko Panorama, article about the Katsanochoria (Greek).