EPIRUS

Epirus (Ipirus), 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 lonian 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 lonian. 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 lonian. 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 vlllage, some magical town.

Ioanina 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 with the famous cave. Mouzakei with the wax museum, the island in the lake across from loanina. From there one climbs up to Metsovo, the beautifuI 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 Zagorohoria. In the varied vegetation one encounters picturesque churches, old mansions, bridges, and traditional settlements.

At an altitude of 602 metres is the small town of Konitsa with the famous gorge formed by the river Aoos.

A little higher, at 1,100 metres, are two of the best preserved traditional settlements, Sirako and Kalarites.

Dodoni in Epirus was the second oracle of ancient Greece after Delphi. Its tample 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.

Arta 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.

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 Messopotamos.

Parga has plenty of water to irrigate its fertile and verdant land.

Finally, Igoumenltsa is the exit-harbour from Epirus and the entrance-harbour to the lonian and its islands.