-
Deep Thessaly
In Greece, in the heights of recent years, goats have become increasingly rare, as have cattle. This is the almost new situation in Western Thessaly, on the Pindus massif as well as on the plains. And as for men… Greek land!
-
Ottoman census
As good historians, we do not at all wipe the slate clean of the past. In Greece, more particularly in Thessaly for our “local” case, we hardly forget, for example, the very long and trying period of Ottoman occupation, generally between 1420 and 1881, the year in which Thessaly was attached to the contemporary Hellenic State. Just as we do not omit in this regard to mention, or even to directly question, if possible, the direct Ottoman sources.
-
In the mountain of Pindos
For those in the know, Agrafa remains a mountainous territory—one that, until just a few years ago, was virtually “inaccessible” and, by all accounts, shrouded in mystery. This vast region is brimming with gems perched along its slopes, overlooking rushing waters, narrow valleys, and lakes; their very stones embody the rich regional heritage. Nestled between lakes and mountains, these villages define the unique character of mainland Greece—a blend that is, ideally, a harmonious mix of culture, history, and culinary delights, all set against an extraordinary natural backdrop.
-
Kalarrýtes, village in Epirus
In Greek, Epirus primarily means “mainland.” But to the Hellenes, the term more specifically evokes their vast, mountainous region—a territory that, since ancient times, has proudly occupied the western slopes of the Pindus mountain range, extending down to the Ionian Sea. Italy lies just across the way, in a sense.
-
Bridges and Roads
In western Thessaly, not far from the famous Meteora, lies the village of Sarakína and its historic bridge of the same name, which spans the bed of the Piniós River. In the past, this bridge served as a transit point for travel toward the settlements of the Aspropótamos region—nestled in the Pindus mountain range, between Thessaly and the neighboring region of Epirus. “The grandeur of the multi-arched bridge, combined with the massive rock formation nearby, commands the visitor’s attention,” state promotional materials for tourists issued by local authorities. Or rather, it *used* to command it.