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 SIGHTSEEINGS -> Route No.3
Krania
A mountainous village (1150 m) of Southern Pindos, 58 km from Kalambaka. Krania, with its three quarters (Doliana, Konakia and Coucoufli), like most of the villages in the area, is deserted in the winter, while in the summer the population exceeds 3,000 people. In the past it has been an important manufacturing and trading center of wool textiles, renown in the area. Weaving tradition is still kept alive. The main income of the locals comes from the trout-spawning station (with an annual production of 100,000 trout-fry) and the community guesthouse (with 20 beds). In Coucoufli, 6 km from the village, there is a forestry station, used as a training facility for the 36 students of the Forestry Department School of Kalambaka.
The village of Doliana, 2.5 km in the north, at an altitude of 1140 m with 30 inhabitants, has been a separate community until 1968, now belonging to the community of Krania.
The 30 million sq.m. fir and beech-tree forest and the peaks of Triggia (2204m), Moutza (2100m) and Kaltsa (2000m) contribute to the enchanting beauty of the alpine scenery.
Kraniotikos, a tributary of Acheloos, unique habitat of the mountain trout, splits the village in half.
From the peak of Gionali, near Doliana, there is a view of the whole region of Larissa, while the site «Orthi Petra» with its magnificent view of the rivers is ideal for photographers.
The monastery of Aghios Nikolaos or Aghia Zoni was established in the late 18th c. and destroyed by the Germans in 1943. Only the church of Timios Stavros (Holy Cross) is preserved, 1.5 km from the village toward Doliana. A monument of rare architectural beauty, especially its complex central dome. It was founded in 1770, its folk-style decoration and murals dated from 1792.
It was repaired in 1840-1848 and again in 1900. Partially destroyed by the German occupants in 1943, it has been reconstructed in recent years by the archeology department with the financial contribution of the locals.
The church of Aghia Paraskevi was consecrated in 1865. In the church courtyard there is a bust of Aghios Kosmas Aetolos, who has passed by the village. The church celebrates on July 26th, with a traditional folk feast attracting people from all over the area.
On August 15th the main celebration in the village takes place at the church of Timios Stavros, with great crowds of people and the local authorities attending the mass and the feast that follows.
The arched stone bridges of «Mylos tou Gika» and «Vakoufikos Mylos» are worth a visit.
TRY Kebab and roast lamb in the taverns.
VISIT The church of Timios Stavros.
ENJOY Mountain climbing to Triggia and Gionali. Horse-riding in the forest. Trout-fishing in Kraniotikos.
DON'T MISS The feast of August 15th.
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