Magic of Karpenisi - 6 Days

Program

DAY 1: LARNACA - ATHENS - KAMENA VOURLA - THERMOPYLES -  BRIDGE OF GORGOPOTAMOS - KARPENISI 

Meeting at Larnaca Airport and departure for Athens Airport. Arrival, collection and departure for Karpenisi, which is the capital of the Prefecture of Evritania and built at an altitude of 960 meters. It is a small, mountainous city with imposing mountains, fir-covered peaks, abundant running water, a magnificent picturesque landscape that make it an ideal holiday destination. We will make the first stop in Kamena Vourla where we will have free time to eat. We continue for a short stop at the Battlefield of Thermopylae and at the monument of Leonidas.We will make the next stop at the historic Gorgopotamos Bridge where in November 1942, resistance organizations, in collaboration with British saboteurs, blew up the bridge. Early in the afternoon we will arrive in Karpenisi and check in at the hotel.n the afternoon we will see the picturesque square and visit the church of the Holy Trinity with the remarkable Byzantine and post-Byzantine icons. Overnight.

DAY 2:KEFALOVRYSO - KORYSCHADES - OLD BIG AND SMALL VILLAGE - BIG VILLAGE

 After breakfast we will meet small and green villages located around Karpenisi. The picturesque and historic Kefalovrysso. This was one of the most important battles between the Greek revolutionaries and the Turks. The Battle took place on August 8, 1823 under the supervision of Markos Botsaris.The stone-built settlement of Koryschades of 44 inhabitants. The spacious square, the beautiful houses and the neat shops create a very beautiful atmosphere. In this village during the Second World War and after a secret ballot of representatives from most parts of Greece, the National Council of Free Greece was created.The building that hosted the meetings during the occupation was the school of the village and today it is the Museum of National Resistance. Paleo Mikro Chorio is a village that keeps its beauty and nobility alive and has a rich history, although it suffered many disasters.The New Small Village is located 2 km from the Old Small Village and is a model of a settlement, with impeccable roads, beautiful houses but also respect for the local traditional architecture and the environment. Megalo Chorio, with well-preserved stone mansions composing a very picturesque setting. A historic settlement that was the meeting place of the liberation forces during the Greek revolution of 1821. The village square with the plane tree offers stunning views of the valley of the river Karpenisiotis and the peaks of Mount Helidona, while the Historical and Folklore Museum is very important with rich exhibits of folk art, ecclesiastical relics and tools of traditional professions. Optional meal in a traditional tavern with local specialties and return to our hotel.

DAY 3: PROUSSOS MONASTERY 

Breakfast and departure for the village of Prousou. It is located 30 km south of Karpenisi and is known for the Monastery of Panagia Prousiotissa, which is a spiritual and pilgrimage center throughout the region. The monastery is built on a steep, rocky area, which is overgrown with fir trees.The name of the monastery according to tradition came when in 829 during the iconoclasm, the monks Dionysios and Timotheos brought the icon of the Virgin Mary from Bursa in Asia Minor to protect it.Evidence, however, shows that the monastery was founded between the 12th and 14th centuries. The image is said to have been created by the Evangelist Luke and is considered by the faithful to be a miracle. The history of the monastery is interesting, as it was a headquarters of Karaiskakis during the liberation struggle, while much of it was burned by the Germans on August 16, 1944, as it was a center of support for the resistance guerrillas.Many relics, utensils, manuscripts and books were destroyed that day, but fortunately not the precious image, which was placed in a crypt. The museum of the monastery exhibits icons of the 15th and 16th centuries, ecclesiastical relics and manuscripts but also part of the armament of George Karaiskakis. Free time and return to our hotel. 

DAY 4: YPATIS BATH

Breakfast and departure for Ypati Baths where we will visit the Baths facilities and enjoy our coffee. The source of Ypati is located in a verdant area of the plain of Fthiotida next to the foot of Oiti. The thermal waters of Ypati probably flowed from 427 before Christ.During the earthquake at that time, which according to Strabo caused great damage throughout Central Greece and Evia. Ypati Hydrotherapy Center is one of the most perfect and most modern synchronized hydrotherapy centers for patients with severe skin diseases. We continue to the Holy Monastery of Agathonos which is 12.5 km away from the Higher Baths.The monastery is a coenobitic monastery, at an altitude of 553 meters and was founded in the early 15th century. It was a refuge for the fighters of the revolution of 1821 and was destroyed by Dramalis in 1822. The fire damaged the cathedrals of the katholikon, but valuable relics and holy relics of saints were saved.The monastery is now characterized as ecological because it houses the Oiti Natural History Museum, which has been operating since 1953. Free time to admire the unique habitat with peacocks, pheasants, partridges, ducks, various bird species and more. deer and wild sheep, in a special area of about 1,200 acres. The monastery also became famous after the death of the monk Bissarion Korkoliakou, whose relic remains almost indestructible in a chapel of the monastery.The icon of Panagia tou Agathonos is considered miraculous. On the way back to Karpenisi we will stop at Platistomo for the optional lunch.

DAY 5: DOMNITSA - KRIKELLO

Today is dedicated to two other enchanting villages. Eyes will not be satisfied to travel in dense green forests, green pastures and alpine meadows. At a distance of 35 km southeast of Karpenisi is the small village of Domnitsa nestled at an altitude of 1000 meters in dense fir forest.Here, on June 7, 1942, Aris Velouchiotis officially declared, in the village square, the beginning of the armed struggle of the National Resistance against the German occupiers. Among the sights of Domnista is the church of Agios Athanasios built in 1890, with a remarkable wood-carved iconostasis.We continue to Krikelo with its huge central square with its six large plane trees (one of which dates from 1754). Free time for lunch in the taverns with the local delicacies and a visit to the imposing cathedral of Agios Nikolaos that dominates the main square, built in 1903 by Epirus manufacturers. Return to our hotel.

DAY 6: KARPENISI - CHALKIDIKI - ATHENS - LARNACA 

Breakfast and we say goodbye to Karpenisi in the direction of Chalkida, for an optional meal and free time for a walk on the beach promenade.Finally we depart for Athens airport where we will take the return flight with our luggage full of pictures of the enchanting places we visited knowing unknown beautiful villages of Greece.