Listed 35 sub titles with search on: History for wider area of: "EPIRUS Region GREECE" .
KAMARINA (Village) PREVEZA
The villages of Souli are to be found (with Kiafa, Avarino, Souli,
Samoniva mostly well known)
among Mourga (1340m. height), Zarroucho (1137 m.) and where the springs of river
Acheron are and where Acheron
crosses river Tsagariotiko.
The inhabitants of those villages had a system of self-government,
divided into 47 "tribes" which formed a special kind of confederacy.
They never submitted to the Turks, till 1803, when Ali-Passas forced them - after
a hard siege, under a treaty - to abandon their villages. But in spite of this
treaty, Ali-Passas ran after them and on 18th December 1803 a group of 56 women
and children withdrew to the steep top of the hill "Stefani" over St.
Demetrious Monastery. From that top, dancing and singing, they chose to fall
off the cliff holding their babies in their arms, instead of becoming enslaved
by the Turks. The Turk Imbrahim Manzur wrote down and published in Paris
1928 (Imbrahim Manzur, Paris
1928, translated by I. Sfyroeras, Papyrus, vol. 25, p. 326) the shocking description
of this event by an eye-witness, a Turk colonel, Souleiman-Aga of Ali-Passas,
as it follows: "Women of Souli, held their hands and performed a dance, showing
unusual heroism and the agony of death awaiting set the rhythm. At the end of
the rhythm. At the end of each chorus women expressed a long piercing cry, whose
echo died out in the death of the frightening abyss of the cliff, where they fell
off with their babies".
A Monument was built there, as a tribute and a symbol in the memory
of the sacrifice of these women of Souli. This Monument, whose sculptor was G.
Zoggolopoulos and architect P. Karantinos, can be reached by going up 410 steps,
starting from St. Demetrious
Monastery. The history of this Monastery
(Holy Monastery of Zalogo) begins around 400 A.C. with the foundation of the
Monastery of Gabriel (destroyed by Germans 1941-1944). The Monastery was transferred
further down around 1700 A.C. and became the church of St. Demetrious. This church
had a dome and very old wall-paintings which were completed in 1816, they were
restored in 1980-90 as well as the rest of the Monastery was restored and renovated
after 1962 when it turned into a convent.
(text: LAZAROS SINESIOS)
This text (extract) is cited July 2003 from the Prefecture
of Preveza tourist pamphlet.
PARGA (Small town) EPIRUS
Parga this divine land, attracted the attention of gods and daemons.
The icon of Mother Mary along with the multiple memories of fleeing
the settlement of Paleoparga, situated at the facing mountain called Petzovolio,
to the cave outside the castle, convinced the inhabitants to settle on the rock,
where today the castle stands.
Loved by the virgin Mary, and earlier by Mars, the period of her free
life will end on the 15th of April 1819.
Archeological finds, written scripts of the past and legend confirm
that human activity was present in this region from antiquity.
The Neolithic flint stone that was found in an olive plantation, the
domed shaped Minoan grave found on the property of Souida, the ancient wall segment
found outside the grounds of the Venetian castle along with a foundation stone
which constituted part of an ancient dock on the western side of Valtos bay, which
unfortunately was covered by rocks to build a marina, the rectangular shaped graves
on the road close to Anthousa,
all undoubtedly prove the existence of human civilization in the region throughout
antiquity.
Byzantine sources first refer to Parga in 1337 and most likely refer
to the older settlement of the castle and not Paleoparga at Petzovolio. The settlement
at its new position will have to deal this many perils during the passing of time.
For six years Parga will have to endure the rule of the thief Bogoi
(who considered himself as of Alban - Serbian - Boulgarian - Vlahos decent). When
he leaves he will request the protection of the Venetians. Their presence will
be felt between the 15th and 18th centuries. Throughout this period Parga will
be autonomous.
The raids and looting from land and sea will not cease during this
period. Hairetin Varvarosa will be one of those who will loot her.
The situation stabilizes from the late 16th century to the late 18th
century. Parga develops economically, and becomes a trade center. The old customs
office (Dogana) at Valtos still exists up to this day. Dogana also served as a
shelter and outpost for the 'kleftes' (rebels who fought against the rule of the
Ottoman Empire). The water fountain and the house of Boukovala, along with the
well of Androutso bear whiteness to this.
Parga will also stand by the fighters of Souli, as a result feel threatened
by Ali Pasha. During this period of growth, Parga will be visited by Kosmas Etolos.
As a result education will flourish. To name a few of the important educators
of the time: Filotheos the Holy Monk, Andreas Idromenos, Christoforos Peraikos
and Agapios Leonardo, etc.
In 1797 Venetian Rule is abolished by the French. With the treaty
of "the 5th December 1815" Parga is passed over to Ali Pasha of the Ottoman Empire
with the consent of the English who were protecting her at the time.
A significant time in history the period 1816 - 1819 with the endless
negotiations for compensation of the properties for those who decided to abandon
their homeland for Corfu.
With the dramatic climax on Good Friday the 15th April 1819, when they burn their
dead before they leave for Corfu.
Ali Pasha brings Laliotes Turks and Christians from the center of
Epirus to inhabit the almost deserted settlement. However the original inhabitants
will return gradually to their homeland, up until February 1913 when Turkish rule
ends.
Built on the fortress rock of the castle, and protected by the Petzovolio
range from the northwest, from the late Byzantium era to our days Parga flourished.
To the west the Bay of Valtos stretches out with its golden sandy
beaches which lead to cape Cheladio where to this day one can see the ruins of
the Monastery of Vlachernon (or St Vlacherna as referred to by the locals).
The sandy beach of Valtos continues all the way to Anthousa. In its
path it passes through the fertile plains overgrown with olive and other fruit
trees.
When times were safe. The insane ownership laws of the castle drove
the inhabitants to extend the settlement outside the walls around the Turkish
bazaar to the southeastern side all the way up to Krioneri.
This is Parga today. She reveals herself to the visitor like a painting.
This is more so if one visits the corner of Karidi or the bend of Lithitsa, or
when one goes sight seeing on the ring road.
The architecture resembles that of the Ionian islands and is unlike
that of mainland Epirus. The small houses have very little room for gardens. Locals
though like to have plants in their small yards, flower beds or pots.
One enjoys to stroll upward through the small and narrow roads flooded
with the scent of jasmine. As an old folk song says "....on the upward wall to
Parga, cinnamon and carnations decorate all...". To the north the endless dense
olive plantations. On the other side, the countless boulders in the sea, strange
water symphonies can be heard by the crashing waves.
It is worth while seeing the scenery of the sea. From the north you
pass the imposing rock boat, the frightening Frangopidima, and St Sostis the Protector,
resembling an odd umbrella over the Sarakiniko. From the south side passing Chagiopoulo,
Monolitho and Pogonia, Skembi and Prioni, the vast pebble beach of Lichnos with
its small caves, to end up at the closed bay of St Giannaki with the natural spring
water bubbling at its center. This will be a unique experience.
Rich in her history and beauty Parga does not need the compliments
of Homer to make her known. Perhaps his words will be out shadowed by her beauty.
The chronographer Pavlos Palaiologos wrote after visiting in 1964,
"I can't recall meeting such beauty in such small scale. All is magical.
Don't be afraid to exaggerate when talking about Parga. Whatever you say it will
never be enough to describe her beauty. In a beauty contest she would certainly
win first prize" .
This text is cited June 2003 from the Municipality of Parga URL below, which contains images.
PREVEZA (Prefecture) EPIRUS
The Prefecture of Preveza lies on the SW part of Epirus,
having north the Prefectures of Ioannina
and Thesprotia, east and southeast
the Prefecture of Arta, west
the Ionian Sea and south
the Amvrakikos gulf. Its
capital has the same name, this is, city
of Preveza, and it is situated at the entrance of the Amvrakikos
gulf. From the ancient years, settlements and cities were formed here by the
Thesprotians, the Cassopians, and the Molossians (which were three out of the
14 races of Epirus). Efira
(or Kihyros), Cassopi,
Elatria, Nikopolis
etc., these are cities whose ruins today - or their names - remind us of them.
There is not much historical information about the very ancient years
Neolithic Age (6000-3000 B.C.), The Age of Copper (3000-1500 B.C.), the Mycenaean
Age (1500-1100 B.C.) - during which Epirus
was already part of the civilized Greece, until the Geometric Age (1100-800 B.C.)
and the Archaic Age (800-500 B.C.) - during which the Corinthians predominated
and even founded colonies in Epirus.
After that, the Molossians, under the reign of Tharipas, ruled the whole of Epirus
and were spread towards the sea (sea-alliance of Athens
4th century B.C.). After then, Alexander the First the Macedonian (343 B.C., brother
of Olympia, wife of Philippos the Second), eventually a period of Democracy was
established (around 234 B.C. by the Thesprotians).
In the year 168 B.C. the Romans, taking revenge on Pyrros - who at
that time was in an expedition against Italy - destroyed 70 of the most eminent
cities of Epirus (among them
Cassopi etc.), sold 150.000
inhabitants of Epirus as
slaves and turned Epirus
into a Roman colony. After the Roman conquest, the conquest of the Byzantine Empire
(Ioustinianus) followed with Nikopolis
being one of the biggest episcopical headquarters of Christianity. A great number
of cities of Epirus - Nikopolis
was one of them - were destroyed by the Gothic incursions (550). During 10th century
Nikopolis was destroyed by
the Bulgarian incursion and was finally left deserted. After the capture of Constantinople
by the Latins, the domain of Epirus
was established - a self-contained Greek State - by Michael A´ Angelos Komninos
Doukas (his father Ioannis was Duke of the Vetus of Nikopolis). In the 14th century
Epirus came under the sovereign
Stefanos Doussan, leader of the Serbs and then the Florentians (Charles A´
Tokkos etc.).
In the 15th century almost all Epirus
was ruled by the Turks (10 Oct. 1431 Ioannina,
24 March 1449 Arta etc.).
In the year 1463 the Venetians followed (they had already ruled Sagiada,
Parga etc.). A treaty between
the Turks and the Venetians in the year of 1499 acknowledged the conquest of Cephallonia
and Preveza to the Venetians
- the later as well as Avlon - being the base of the Turk admiral Hairedin Barbarossa,
during the 16th century. In 1684 the Venetians (Fr. Morozini) conquered Arta
and Preveza, which they gave
to the Turks in 1700 and they once again recognized the sovereignty of the Venetians
(1717) over Vouthroto and
Preveza. In 1798 Ali-Passas
conquered Preveza (from the
French, who in their turn took Preveza
from the Venetians, a year ago).
The following year Vonitsa,
Vouthroto, Parga
and Preveza were recognized
as a "Democratic State" under the protection of the Sublime Port.
However, Ali-Passas in 1805 conquered Vonitsa
and Preveza again and in 1819
Parga (which was under the protection of the English, who sold Parga
to him).
After the defeat an death of Ali-Passas, in 1820, Epirus
remained under the protection of the Sultan.
A part of Epirus
was liberated in 1881, but Preveza
and its Prefecture remained under the Turkish occupation till 1912 (Balkan War
I), when it was liberated by the Greek army.
After the victorious Balkan wars in 1912-13, the Asia Minor Expedition
and its destruction took place, as a result of which there was a great number
of immigrants. The Prefecture of Preveza and the town itself became the new home
for many Greeks who were uprooted. New villages and district were built up and
developed vigorously. The country was sorely tried during World War II and it
was too high a price for all that bloodshed. The town
of Preveza was awarded the Military Cross of high rank because "its citizens
showed the essential resistance and enthusiasm, helping the military forces and
setting the example of self-sacrifice throughout all the army operations and put
themselves into danger day and night over the 96 bombardments". The citizens showed
the same patriotism and self-sacrifice throughout the Italian and German Occupation
(1941-1944) by taking part in the resistance movement (EDES-EOEA, EAM-ELAS) by
taking action against the conqueror. Unfortunately the division and the passion
and animosity that were stirred up during the Liberation Movement led to horrible
bloodsheds (Parginoskala, Dalamani). However those difficult years have long gone
away, the suffering has been forgotten and our country advances to progress.
(text: LAZAROS SYNESIOS)
This text (extract) is cited July 2003 from the Prefecture
of Preveza tourist pamphlet.
PREVEZA (Town) EPIRUS
The town continues her walk to the future respecting the past. The
history of Preveza is strictly connected with its position in the area.
The place where Preveza is built, is located at ht South West edge
of Epirus, at he entrance
of Amvrakikos gulf, just
opposite the Aktion, in a
very small distance from Ancient
Nikopolis of which Preveza is the continuation of Colonism.
The settling appears in the middle of the 11th Century. The strategic
as well as the commercial significance of its place was very important so that
attracted a lot of new settlers, but conquerors as well.
For the first time, it's mentioned with its recent name, at the end
of 13th Century in "Moreus Chronic". 200 years later, during 1495, has been selected
by the Turks to serve as a military port.
In the middle of the 15th Century, it was the object of a strong
conflict between the Turks and their rivals, the Venetians. So that more than
once, Preveza changed conquerors, until the Passarovits’ treaty in 1718,
that was granted to Venetians (10 - 21 July 1718) who kept it under their occupation,
until the fall of their Empire on 1797.
At that moment, the possession of Preveza was taken over by French
who however, were expelled by Ali Pasha the following year, remaining until her
liberation, under the Othomanic possession.
The crucial period for the development and the expansion of a settling
into a town was the period of the Venetian occupation, as well as that of Ali
Pasha.
Both of them, (Turks and Venetians) constructed castles rescued until
today, (the castle of Agios Andreas, of Agios Georgios, Pantokratoras).
Ali Pasha built at Preveza his summer palace, at the place known nowadays
as "Paleiosaraga", nearby the spas. His most important construction however, was,
the wall (DAPIA), which surrounded the town and offered protection to the residents
and to their commercial activities.
Until the Second World War, Preveza was the centre of transports of
Epirus, as well as the port for military provisions, at the Northwest Greece.
(The war of 1897, the Balkan wars, the first and the Second World War).
This special character of the town, attracted inhabitants from other
places of Epirus and the Ionian
islands, as well. Among them, were the Italians, who kept a colony at Preveza,
with a catholic church built in 1568, which is rescued until nowadays.
The Juice colony was also important, with a school and synagogue,
at the place, where the O.T.E. office is located today.
This text (extract) is cited July 2003 from the Municipality
of Preveza tourist pamphlet.
VOUCHETION (Ancient city) PREVEZA
A few kilometres away from Louros,
over a picturesque rich in vegetation hill, is the ruins of the Rogon fortress.
A very beautiful castle, it surrounded the city of Rogon - of the Roman and Byzantine
era. The relics of the Evangelist Loukas were kept in that city from 1204 to 1453,
when they were carried to Smaderevo - a Serbian city.
The city and the castle of Rogon was desolated from 1449 (when conquered
by Turks) until 1690. It is the same site where the ancient city of Bouchetion
- continuity of which Rogon was around 8th-9th century A.C. On the NW side of
the ancient acropolis of the fortress, a holy church of the Assumption of the
Virgin Mary is preserved - from the 17th century. This is the last monument of
the Byzantine and Post-Byzantine period of the settlement, which formed as well
the headquarters of Bishopric (which was later united with the Bishopric of Kozilis).
Kozili was a small Byzantine city near Nikopolis
(in the area of N. Samsous).
Near the city the Kozili
Monastery was founded in 774 A.C. The bishop of Kozili and Rogon, (1820-26)
was very famous who during the siege of Mesologi
while defending it heroically, his comrades and he were exploded at the 12th of
October 1826.
(text: LAZAROS SINESIOS)
This text (extract) is cited July 2003 from the Prefecture
of Preveza tourist pamphlet.
AETORACHES (Mountaintop) IOANNINA
29/11/1912
AMVRAKIA (Ancient city) EPIRUS
Molossians defeated by Ambraciots.
IGOUMENITSA (Town) THESPROTIA
MARGARITI (Small town) THESPROTIA
MOLOSSIA (Ancient area) IOANNINA
Polybius says that Paulus, after his subjection of Perseus and the Macedonians, destroyed seventy cities of the Epeirotes most of which, he adds, belonged to the Molossi, and reduced to slavery one hundred and fifty thousand people. (Perseus Project - Strabo, Geography 7.7.3)
But when no one paid any attention to them, they first ravaged the country, and after that, when the Molossians drew up against them, there followed a sharp battle in which the Illyrians were victorious and slew more than fifteen thousand Molossians. (Perseus Project - Diodorus Siculus, Library 15.13.3)
PANDOSIA (Ancient city) THESPROTIA
SAGIADA (Municipality) THESPROTIA
ELEA (Ancient city) THESPROTIA
TITANI (Ancient city) THESPROTIA
AMVRAKIA (Ancient city) EPIRUS
The Corinthians sent by Cypselus and Gorgus took possession of this shore and also advanced as far as the Ambracian Gulf; and both Ambracia and Anactorium were colonized at this time.
IGOUMENITSA (Town) THESPROTIA
(Following URL information in Greek only)
KONITSA (Small town) IOANNINA
Based on the findings on the stone buildings of Klidi and Boila, in
Voidomatis, we can
state that the area has been occupied since the Paleolithic period by hunters-food
provision men.
Between the years 1300 and 1100 B.C., the wide area is occupied by
Molosi (Liatovouni), while
the peaceful and secure conditions of life in 750 B.C. lead to an increase on
the population of the area. In ancient Trifillia, as the area was named in the
ancient times, was developed the town of Molossida,
that became both the hometown of the mother of the Great Alexander of Olympiados
and also the base of operations for the most famous king of Epirus,
Pirros. It is believed that at the location where Konitsa stands today there was
an ancient town which had periods of summit and decay and whose name was whether
Antitania for some people or Erivia for others.
During the Romans domination, which starts with the descent of the
conquerors in 168 B.C., the Aoos
valley was one of the passages to Epirus
and Thessaly for the Romans
who used to disembark from Italy at the ancient Illiria,
the albanian borders today. Later, one section of Egnatia Odos went across the
area. Along Egnatia Odos there were built castles and fortresses whose relics
are still visible in many places of the area. During the first byzantine period,
Visigotths, Vandals, Avars and Slaves invade the area and cause a lot of destruction.
In the 8th century, Konitsa comes under the Patriarchate
of Konstantinople, while until then Konitsa was under the Pope of Rome.
In 1380 for the first time Konitsa appears with its modern name in the publication
of "The Chronicle of Ioannina", which makes a reference on Konitsa castle.
During the modern times, the town of Konitsa had its largest development
during the turkish domination. Then, Konitsa turns into the favorite town of the
turkish aristocracy. Konitsa is the hometown of both Hamko, Ali pashas' mother,
and Hasekis, the voivod of Athens
in the 18th century and also of many other eminent Turks. At this period, there
are a lot of wealthy Greeks who are obliged to be islamized in order to keep their
belongings. Turks and Greeks lived peacefully for many years with their own religions.
Both developed the art of tannage mainly as well as the carpet factory. At the
beginning of the 18th century, the town has got its own Greek school, which indicates
the prosperity of the Greeks in the area. With the exchange of population, the
muslim families leave Konitsa and come the refugees from Kappadokia
instead. Since the liberation of Konitsa, in 1913, until the arrival of Italians,
in 1940, Konitsa developed the trade and started to exploit more systematically
its fertile plain.
During the Greek-Italian war, Konitsa was subject to many destructions
which became more later with the German occupation. Also, the consequences of
the following civil war were significant until 1949 when it was ended.
The position and the natural beauty of Konitsa attracts since long
time the interest of many travellers. Today, the area has drown the attention
of climbers, lovers of rafting, kayak and paragliding and also of many tourists
who come to Konitsa in order to admire the beauty of the landscape every season
of the year. It is worth including some unique sights for your tour in the town
and in the region.
This text is cited June 2003 from the Municipality of Konitsa URL below, which contains images.
THESPROTIA (Ancient country) EPIRUS
The first man that came into view in the region is placed in the Mid
Paleolithic period (±250.000-35.000 B.C.). In about 2.000 B.C. the Thesprotoi,
the first greek-speaking tribes, peacefully settled in.
The foundation of fortified installations by the Mycenean settlers
in the southern bays of Thesprotia is followed by the emigration of the tribes
of Thesprotia (1.100 B.C.) towards Thessaly
and Southern Greece, by the settling of the Molossoi in Epirus and, lastly, by
the foundation of colonies by the Ileians, the Korinthians and the Kerkyraioi
by the coastline (8th - 6th century B.C.). Financial, administrative and defensive
reasons imposed, during the 2nd half of the 4th century, the co-settlement of
the small non-fortified villages, in which the Thesprotians lived until then,
and the creation of the first fortified towns with full habitual organization.
During the same period, the first copper coins are cut, writing is
used and the "Koino of Thesprotoi" (the Common of the Thesprotians) is founded,
originally seated in Elea
and later on in G(T)itani.
Thesprotia suffered especially during the last pre-Christian centuries by the
conflicts of the Macedonians-Romans, the destruction (167 B.C.) of many cities
by the roman army, the raid (88/7 B.C.) of the Thracean mercenaries of Mithridatis
and the civil fights between the Roman generals. The countryside, during the years
of Augustus, presented a picture of desertion, in spite of the colonization of
the coastline, of areas mainly by veteran legionaries. Pax Romana was noticeable
in Thesprotia from the 1st - 3rd centuries B.C., as is evident by the foundation
of new settlements - Fotiki,
Ladochori - as well as by
the wealth and the quality of the funeral gifts of the necropolises brought to
light. These two settlements also survived during the following period, the Palaeo-Christian.
The raids of the German and the Slavic tribes from the end of the 4th century
A.C., ruined settlements, imposed the fortification of others or the movement
of their residents to more naturally fortified positions. Thesprotia, during the
Byzantine period was, due to its position, a bulwark for all kinds of invaders.
At the end of the 4th century, the Venetians, rulers of the Adriatic and the Ionian
sea, occupied its coastline, creating bases in Sagiada,
Fanari and Parga.
During The After-Byzantine period (13th-14th century), the settlements of Osdina,
Igoumenitsa and Paramythia
were created, and not only did they survive during the next one, after the subjection
of Thesprotia to the Turks, but they also flourished. The struggles of the Thesprotians
against the Turkish conquerors were continuous. It is worth mentioning the movement
of Dionysios the "Skyrosophos" (1611) and the struggles of the Souliotes against
the Turks and the ambitious Ali Pasha of Ioannina (18th-beginning of 19th century).
Following the foundation of the Greek state, the Thesprotians continued their
struggle until their liberation by the Greek army on 23 February 1913.
This text is cited May 2003 from the Thesprotia Prefecture Tourism Promotional Committee URL below, which contains image.
AMVRAKIA (Ancient city) EPIRUS
The following took part in the war: The Ampraciots came to help with seven ships.
. . . next to them, four hundred Chalcidians; next again, five hundred Ampraciots. After these stood eight hundred Leucadians and Anactorians
THESPROTIA (Ancient country) EPIRUS
All these people who live this side of Thesprotia and the Acheron river took part in the war. The Thesprotians border on the Ampraciots and Leucadians, who were the ones who came from the most distant countries to take part in the war.
AMVRAKIA (Ancient city) EPIRUS
The Ambraciots and Anactorians, colonists of Corinth, were taken away by the Roman emperor to help to found Nicopolis near Actium.
Another remarkable stratagem in countermining is described by Livy (xxxviii. 7) at the siege of Ambracia by the Romans, when the Ambraciots introduced into the besiegers' mine a "stink-pot" of burning feathers.
This text is from: Harry Thurston Peck, Harpers Dictionary of Classical Antiquities. Cited Nov 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains interesting hyperlinks
Fulvius, having obtained the consulship, in B.C. 189, he was
intrusted with the war in Greece, during which he took Ambracia, traversed Epirus
as conqueror, and reduced to submission the island of Cephallenia.
The name of a distinguished family of the Fulvia gens. The most
distinguished member of the family was M. Fulvius Nobilior, consul B.C. 189, when
he conquered the Aetolians, and took the town of Ambracia. He had a taste for
literature and art, and was a patron of the poet Ennius, who accompanied him in
his Aetolian campaign.
This text is from: Harry Thurston Peck, Harpers Dictionary of Classical Antiquities. Cited Nov 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains interesting hyperlinks
EPIRUS (Ancient country) GREECE
When the Epirots were rid of their kings, the people threw off all control and disdained to listen to their magistrates, and the Illyrians who live on the Ionian sea above Epirus reduced them by a raid. (Perseus Project)
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