Platanos – Homori, Mountainous Nafpaktia, Absolute tranquility and relaxation

Ο Plane is built at an altitude of 875 m., in hill Alonaki, opposite the mountain Xerovouni (1,575 m.). It is a historic village, with cobblestone streets and beautiful old houses.

It is said that it took its name from a large plane tree that existed at the location of Megali Vrisi. Plane together with the village Kato Platanos, belong to Municipal Unit of Platanos, of the Municipality of Nafpaktia, Prefecture of Aitoloakarnania. The Kato Platanos  is located approximately 2 km SE of Platanos. The area was known as  Kravara or Kravari and included the villages: Platanos, Vonorta (Kato Platanos), Kryoneria, Avorani (Livadaki), Arachova, Achladokastro (Artotiva), Kydonia (Zilista), Klepa, Neochorio, Perdikovrysi (Sinista), Kalloni (Stromiani), Grammeni Oxia (Sitista) etc.

PLATANOS SIGHTSEEING

• Central Square of Agios Nikolaos

In the small village square you will see, Church of Saint Nicholas, the Museum of National Resistance and in Folklore Museum.

• Church of Saint Nicholas 

The large church was built between 1846-1869, from donations, such as those of the village's Great Benefactor, and a businessman from Romania, Nik. Marathea, but also with the contribution of the residents.

• Museum of National Resistance, 1940-1945

The Museum was inaugurated in 2001 and is dedicated to the memory of the first Plataniotis hero. Albanian Epic Lieutenant Michael Tsipouras.

• Folklore - Cultural Museum

Created in 1976 by the Plataniotis gynecologist-obstetrician & professor Nikolaos Papanikolaou. It includes old folk art objects, old books, photographs, etc. You will even see photographs with the Aliki Vougiouklaki, from her visit to Platanos. She came to the village to fulfill her vow, when she became pregnant, by the Platanos gynecologist, Nik. Papanikolaou.

• Rontiris House or «The Rondireika»

The home of the historic Rontiris family. This is where the Karaiskakis, during the Turkish occupation, 1825-1826. The origin of the theatrical director's father, Dimitris Rontiris (1900-1981), was from Platanos.

• "Dimitris Rontiris" Open Theatre«
• Regional Clinic

The traditional stone building, which was once the Hospital Platanos, was built around 1951, after a fundraiser by New York Naval Brotherhood (located near the Central Square).

• Platanos School – Environmental Center

The "village of letters", as Platanos is called, had a school from a very early age. On the front side you will see a small square, with 2 huge plane trees, from 1904, and the bust of M. Euergetis, , N. Marathea. Today the school houses the Environmental Center of the Municipality of Platanos (Platanos Tourist and Landscaping Group).

ACCOMMODATION -FOOD

• GRIGOROPOULOS, guesthouse – rooms to rent, tel.: 2634 061424, 6972360648
• «"The Houses of Iphigenia"», tel.: 2634 061500, 6974 902776, 6973 326547, hotel-restaurant-cafe, www.ifigenia.com
• «"To Alonaki", traditional guesthouse with fireplace and restaurant, tel.: 697 817 2711, www.alonaki.gr
•  «"Rachi", cafe-bar, square
• «"TA PLATANAKIA", cafe-bar, square

PLATANOS –ACCESS

From the Nafpaktos follow route B., to Mountainous Nafpaktia, through the District of Nafpaktos-Platanos Road– Psilos Stavrou, alongside the Morno River (distance 52 km).

From the Nafpaktos towards Thermo, through the District of Thermo-Nafpaktos Road. Then, from the Thermo Trichonidas, through the  District of Thermo-Platanos Road, you arrive at Plane tree (about 30 km).

If you need gas station, except for the Nafpaktos you will also find in Thermo, and if you don't have enough gas, you should definitely to put here.

PLATANOS – NEARBY ESCAPES

The Platanos Municipality includes the passages Plane, Kato Platanos, Homori, Arachova, Achladokastro,  Dendrochori, Chestnut,  Theft, Livadaki, Neochori, Perdikovrysi, Perista.

They are built among the mountains of Mountainous Nafpaktia, between the valleys of Mornos and Evinos. The highest peak is Redness (1,832 m.), and are followed by Nail plate (1,563 m.), the  Axe (1,733 m.), the Ardini (1,699 m.), the Xerovouni (1,571 m.), the Jackal (1,710 m.), the Oregano (1,469 m.) etc.

• Kato Platanos

You will see the church of Agia Paraskevi, where in the courtyard there is a bust of the doctor G. Kyriazis (1830-1893). Kyriazis, who was born in Kato Platanos and died in Romania, helped to build the church as it is today. On July 26, on the feast of Agia Paraskevi, a festival is held.

In the old school, there is a Folklore Museum, with various old objects, photographs, etc. (Beautification and Cultural Association of Kato Plataniotes "Agia Paraskevi").

• Evinos Artificial Lake Dam – Evinolimni

Ο Evinos River, is also known as Fidaris, due to the many branches along its route. Strabo, Apollodorus and Plutarch say that the oldest name of Evinus was Lykormas.

It is approximately 80 km long and originates from the mountains Crow and Ax, near the Bakery, and flows into the Gulf of Patras, near the villages Milkman and Evinochori. It is fed by many tributaries, such as the Kotsalo, Portiaris, Snakes and Gidomandritis.

Several old stone bridges still survive in Evinos, as it separates several villages, such as the historic Artotiva Bridge, the largest single-arch bridge in Western Greece. It is located between the rocky masses that separate the Trichonida with the Mountainous Nafpaktia, and you will find it shortly before the Evenos meet him Kotsalo.

The Evinos Artificial Lake Dam or Evinolimni, is located after the Plane tree, to the N. You will arrive via Nafpaktos – Platanos – Psilos Stavros Subdistrict Road (which starts from Nafpaktos and passes through Platanos), towards the villages Chestnut and  Agios Dimitrios. About halfway through the route, in the dense fir forest of terms Ardini (1,699 m.), in the area of Chestnut, you will find the cafe-restaurant, "«Windswept Saddle», with a fireplace and a nice view (tel.: 697 7917374).

Then, after the village Agios Dimitrios, you arrive at Dam of Artificial Lake of Evinos, located at an altitude of 700 m. You can take the route around the Dam, which has a perimeter of 32 km.

A little further up you will find the traditional cafe-tavern, "«Hani Liolou» (altitude 1,250 m.). It is a reference point for the region, as it is the oldest inn of Aitoloakarnania. In winter there is a lot of snow here, and you will come to taste the grilled meat with local wine or tsipouro, next to the fireplace (about 10 km from Platanos). In summer there is a paved courtyard under the shade of the trees.
         

The village Arachova Mountainous Nafpaktia, is perched on the hill (900 m.) and has the most beautiful view of the Evinolimni.

• Kotsalos River

It is a tributary of the Evinos River and you will find it descending towards the village of Pokista. The Platanos Tourist and Landscape Association organizes a River Party in the summer and many people dive into the cold waters of the river for a swim.

HOMORI or HOMORI

The Homori is built on the hill of Saint Constantine, at an altitude of 700 m., on the SW slopes of Xerovouni Mountains. It belongs to Platanos Municipality, of the Municipality of Nafpaktos, Prefecture of Aitoloakarnania.

The name Homori mentioned since the beginning of the 17th century^th century and is likely to derive from the ancient Greek word "omoros"», meaning neighboring. Since 1912 it is already listed as Humor but in 1940 it changes to Homori.

From 1695 -1775 it was the seat of Episcopal which had under its jurisdiction Doris and Mountainous Nafpaktia. In Homori was born in 1885 Dimitrios Papacharalambous, businessman from America, and Great Benefactor of Nafpaktos.

HOMORI – SIGHTSEEING

• "Mayor Andreas Sot. Drosos" Square – Memorial to the Fallen

You will drink coffee in the paved square, under the large plane tree, overlooking the stone houses of the village. In the square you will find a stone fountain with drinking water.

• Lymberio Cultural Center

The old stone school of the village, built with a donation from the Great Benefactor of the village, D. Lymberi, turned into Cultural & Folklore Center (Cultural Association of Apantachos Homorites).

• Tower of Logotheta, (1756)

It is the Tower of the Logothetis or Logothetopoulos family, 2 members of which became Bishops, and served here when Homori was the seat of a Bishopric.

• Monastery of Panagia Kavadiotissa

The small monastery of Our Lady of Kavadiotissa or Monastery of the Assumption Theotokos, is located on the hill, SW of Homori. It is assumed that it was built in the early 18th century.^th century. but on the icon of the Virgin Mary holding the Child there is the inscription: "DIAMOND HAND FROM MOREA 1725". The Catholicon is a small brick building with a beautiful iconostasis. It celebrates on August 15, the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.

HOMORI – ACCESS

From Platanos, following the Nafpaktos – Platanos – Psilos Stavros Regional Road, and after the restaurant, «Anamodarmeno Diaselo», on your right you will come across an asphalt road that descends towards Homori.

ALTERNATIVE ACTIVITIES IN THE TRICHONIDA-NAFPAKTIAS AREA

For organized activities, within the boundaries of the Municipalities of Thermos and Nafpaktia, you will find the following:

• Outdoor Alternative Activities Recreation Park «Rafting House – Outdoor Activities», www.raftinghouse.gr or www.outdoorlab.gr , tel. : 693 674 6764

Offers Rafting, Kayak to Evinos, Mountain Bike, in the surrounding mountains and villages, Rappelling, Climbing, Rappelling, Archery, Horseback Riding, Hiking, Flying Fox.

It is located in District of Thermos-Nafpaktos Road, near the ironworks Bania Bridge, area Hani Bania. For Rafting and Kayak to Evinos the route starts from Poros Bridge and ends at International Canoe – Kayak Training Center, shortly before Bania Bridge.

• ALPINE CLUB, for Rafting,Kayak to Evinos.

It is located in District of Thermo – Nafpaktos Road 19, Bania Bridge, area Hani Bania, www.alpinclub.gr , tel.: 697 281 1837.

The area Hani Bania It is next to the river, and if you don't want to do any activities, you can stop for coffee or food. Also here, on the District of Thermos-Nafpaktos Road, there are several accommodations for overnight stays.

From Plane tree you will head S., towards Thermo, through the Start. Thermo - Platanos Rd. and then to the Petrochori District –St. Andrew, heading towards District of Thermos-Nafpaktos Road, until you reach the Hani Bania (duration approximately 1.5 hours).