Ano Chora Nafpaktia - Activities in nature

Aegean Islands 5 June 2017 Like

OR High Country or great Lompotina or upper Lompotina, It is built on the northeast slopes of the mountain top 'trolling» (1.460 m.), Vardoussia Mountains. The Lompotina name from the Byzantine period (1454), where at "Palichoria", opposite Gerontokarya, there was a village named Lompotina. This village was, approximately 3 km from today's Upper Town, at an altitude of about 700 m. The Upper Town is known for its unique natural environment, surrounded by 2 beautiful hills. On the right side of the village is the hill "Lakoula" (1050 m.), fir and chestnut trees and on the left side of the hill "Saint George", full of cedars and firs.

In the village you can walk on the stone streets, admire the old stone houses, made of slate, drink coffee in cafes and rest below the plane.

OVER COUNTRY

The church of the village is Aghia Paraskevi (1918) located in the central square, in altitude 1030 m. They are cross type with 2 embedded steeples built with carved black stone. Inside there is the icon of St. Paraskevi and the icon "Skopiotissas".

ACTIVITIES

cycling

In the High Country has created a large park, the KRAVARA PARK, by area 20.000 Coronet where you can do many activities in nature, from April to November. The KRAVARA PARK has 100 km cycling routes, fully signposted, for beginners and experienced cyclists.

Routes are two :

Upper Town - St John Hill

Low Country (the bridge) – High Country

CLIMBING

In collaboration with the guest house "The Stone" Upper Town you can perform the following mountain routes:

High Country – Tsakalakos (the hilltop)

Kryoneri – Tsekoura

High Country (1.050 m.) – Ampelakiotissa (900 m.) – Tsekoura – Kryoneri (1.312 m.).

HIKING IN 'THE PATH Kakkavas "

The trail starts from the village High Country with destination village Ampelakiotissa. The "Trail Kakkavos», located in the valley of the gorge of Kakkavos, the 1998 renamed by the TEI Messolonghi, in "Path of Hercules», after study. According to this study, the trail went Hercules derived from ancient Plevrona, to arrive in Evia to marry Diianeira, daughter Plevrona. The hero Plevrona son Aitolos, who was the founder of Aetolia. The ancient ruins are located near the Sacred City of Missolonghi, the two low hills, Asfakovouni (Gyftokastro) and Petrovouni, attributed to ancient Plevrona. During the investigations were surface finds of ancient times, like coins and tombs. The path used for decades for communication High Country - Ampelakiotissa.

The "Bridge of Kakkavos"Built in the late 19^th century. and has a length 11,10 m. and width 2,50 m. In place, Oldest, there was a wooden bridge but which swept away by rushing. The entire bridge is built of local stone. As a binder was used "mourtzoulana", mixture of sand and of a material corresponding to the current cement. From the cobbled street of the path passing travelers, guides with their mules, merchants and pilgrims IM. Ampelakiotissa. About the Occupation 3.000 Italians crossed the transit path from Agrinio towards Amfissa. The walk is in a greenery, full of rare species of plants, next to the river Katsali, that crosses the gorge Kakkavos.

TOUR AND EXPLORATION OF NATURE

In collaboration with the hotels in the region, «Crystal Mountain Hotel» and «The Stone", you can browse in nature, to pick wild mushrooms, Brown, greens of the mountain and admire the rich flora of the place, such as wild orchids.

EVENTS

Festival "Chestnut and Tsipouro", every year, October in Upper Town. You will taste local delicacies such as chestnuts, pies, donuts, will eat traditional food and drink "Lula", hot ouzo flowing plenty's Day.

Feast "Kastanomazema", early October the entire village gathering chestnuts in the "chestnut", motivated who will pick up the most.

Feast "Tsigarithras", at 10 February 2018 will become the 10^or Feast "Tsigarithras" and over will be offered to visitors tsigarithres, sausages, hoecake, frumenty and wine. The tsigarithra or tsigarida pork is called the least bit of meat left on the thick skin. This skin boiling cauldrons, melt fat and that remaining meat called tsigarithra.

neatherd FITNESS CAMP, August you can work out at altitude 1.100 m. with aerobics, yoga etc.. (information kravarapark.com).

NEARBY ESCAPES

I. M. MARY AMPELAKIOTISSAS

The IM. Lady Ampelakiotissa located in the village Ampelakiotissa, of Nafpaktia, north of Lepanto. Is from about High Country 10 km from Nafpaktos 58 km.

According to tradition, a shepherd from the village found an icon of Virgin Mary, under an oak tree that stands behind the Sanctuary of Abbey, at 15 August 1455. This image is said to come from the village Ampelakia of Thessaly, which the Ottomans sacked after the Fall of Constantinople. Then the Turks, when they occupied the village, be hurled this picture Pinios River and finally arrived in the box he found the shepherd. With the discovery of the icon of Our Lady was built and the first monastery (1456), which disproved the 1847 and created a new monastery.

The monastery is of type basilica with internal domes. The facade of the church is impressive, with decorative reliefs and bears inscription stating the establishment and refurbishment of dates. The wooden temple (1871 – 1874), attributed to local woodcarving workshop. The image is reduced to Virgin 17^The c., probably on model 1456 bearing a silver lid 1820. The carved wooden iconostasis dating from 1847 like the colorful performances on the sides of the temple.

Inside the church are preserved important relics, which give honor and glory to the monastery so it is fairly considered the " holly Ark of Nafpaktos».

In the church kept argyrochrysi case (1475) with St. Polycarp hand and silver reliquary (1470) with Saints bones, gift of Patriarch Timothy the abbot of the monastery. From Constantinople comes the famous brocade epitaph (1735), work of famous kentistras Margioris, the Halki.

During the years of the revolution the monastery played an important role in the region was hiding chieftains and shelter for women and children, after the fall of Missolonghi. The monastery, which is male, is dedicated to the Assumption is celebrated on 15 August, involving many people, from Nafpaktos and surrounding villages.