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 SIGHTSEEINGS -> Route No.3
Anthoussa (Lepenitsa)
After 7 km on a passable dirt road, in the deep shade of dense forests, with Acheloos on our left, we reach the beautiful village of Anthoussa, off the main road, built on the wooded slopes of Kedros, at an altitude of 1100 m. A typical village of 600 nomadic stock-farmers (2,000 goat and sheep, 150 cattle), forced by the weather to move to the plains in the winter. The locals also rely upon logging and bee-keeping to enhance their income.
Lepenitsa (the old name of Anthoussa) or Vlacholepenitsa, proudly named by its hospitable inhabitants - due to the fact that they speak, except Greek, the dialect of the Vlachi - has known periods of prosperity during the late years of Turkish occupation. Tradition says that stock-farming and goldsmithery once thrived here. The historic monastery of Panaghia, at the junction of Chalikiotikos and Lepenitsiotikos rivers, tributaries of Acheloos, was named Panaghia Galaktotrofousa (=milk nourishing), because here the stock-breeders of the area of Tzoumerka and Lakmos met every spring and autumn, either to pay homage lighting a candle in the church, or to join their herds on the hard journey to the mountains.
Recent tradition mentions events and figures that played a significant part in the history of the nation. Sons of Anthoussa were the freedom-fighter in the Revolution of 1821 and deputy of Athanasios Diakos, Mitro Simos, and the hero of the revolts of the 19th c. Theodorakis Grivas. Descendants of both still live in the village. The hero of pre-revolutionary times Katsantonis also sought refuge here, the site «Katsantonis» bearing his name.
During the Turkish census of 1820, aiming at tax imposition on the inhabitants, 60 homes were counted in Anthoussa.
The mounments preserved in the area are several : the monastery of Panaghia Galaktotrofousa of 1799, the single-aisle basilica of Aghia Paraskevi (1730), rich in murals, with a carved wood icon screen, the stone-built church of Aghion Pandon with a carved wood icon-screen, founded in 1730 (the completion date, 1786, is inscribed over the door of the women's chamber). Notable are also the churches of Aghios Georgios (1810) and Aghios Athanasios (1868).
Characteristic is the local architecture, with stone being the dominant building material. One can admire the mansions of Constantinos Papastergiou (1877) and Nikos and Constantinos Simos (19th c.).
Two great stone arched bridges exist in the area: one near the monastery of Panaghia and another at the village entrance.
The springs watering the village are probably the most numerous in the area, as well as the stone fountains of Skala, Armiana, Askoumba, Berti, Skoupati, Lamsata, Perdika, Sto Kefali.
A remarkable trekking path, parallel to the course of Acheloos, leads from Anthoussa to the junction of its tributaries Lepenitsiotis, Chalikiotis and Negri. The springs of Lianoura, Renda, Krania and Goupi are notable.
The village is surrounded by endless forests winding up to the alpine peaks of Megali Rona (1700m), Goura (2200m), Baros (2400m), Campo Kryo (2000m) and Tzoumakerti (2300m). Baros is the pass between the mountains of Lakmos and Tzoumetrka, leading to the village of Matsouki and Kalarrites in Ioannina. Endless forests (32 million sq.m. of fir, pine, cornel, beech, sour orange, maple, plane and willow trees) provide shelter for a great number of wild animals, a rare species of wild goat among them, while the famous rock partridge prefers the alpine highlands. Finally at the site Perivoli there is a steep cave, still unexplored.
The feast of Aghia Paraskevi, on July 26th, is the main event in the village (as in all the villages of Vlachi) with roast lamb, folk dancing and the locals visiting the village homes accompanied by a folk music band.
TRY Sheep's meat kebab in Platanos.
BUY Honey and feta-cheese from local producers.
VISIT The fountain of Armeana.
ENJOY Mountain climbing to Megali Rona, Messovouni and Negri. Trout-fishing in the rivers.
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