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 SIGHTSEEINGS -> Route No.3
Chaliki
Only 4 km from Anthousa, on the treeless slopes of Lakmos, at an altitude of 1150 m, lies the northernmost village of Aspropotamos, the historic Chaliki. A village of 700 nomadic stock-breeders (7,000 goat and sheep), moving to the area of Farsala in the winter.
On the NE towers the peak of Rona, on the foothills of which is the main spring of Aspropotamos. The most beautiful spring though is Foniska in the south above the village. Another peak of Mt. Lakmos is Peristeri (with a view of Ioannina and its lake) from where the river Capraria springs. Here is also the spring of Vourliga : the water springs vertically from the earth, forms a stream for a few meters and is lost again in an underground cesspool. In the winter, when the hole is blocked by ice, a small lake is formed, the home of a sprite according to tradition. The landscape under the rocky summits of Lakmos is of unparalleled beauty.
«... May the Vlachi of Aspropotamos prosper» goes the last verse in the folk song of Dimakis, an elder from Chaliki, a wish fulfilled through history only by the painful efforts and the unfaltering faith of the locals, despite the countless raids of aspiring conquerors, the massacres and the burning of homes and land.
The continuity of habitation in the area through history is confirmed by historic testimonies, locating here on the banks of Acheloos, the ancient city of Chalkida, as the village was known until the 18th century. In byzantine times the name Chaliki (=pebble) was also established, the locals today attributing this name to the white pebbles of Acheloos river.
During the years of Turkish occupation Chaliki was the seat of the pasha Dimakis, originating from the Vlachi, who - always according to tradition - was a tyrant, imposing unbearable taxes and collecting them mercilessly. It is also said that Aghios Kosmas Aetolos,the freedom apostle, passing by Chaliki, held a service at the church of Aghios Georgios, reproving Dimakis at his sermon and predicting his death.
Renowned architectural monuments are the stone-built churches of the village, testifying to the prosperity of the village in recent times : the monastery of Prophet Elias, built in 1835 by the priest-monks Mavrogeorgi brothers from Chaliki, the church of the former monastery of Metamorphosi tou Sotiros (Tranfiguration of Christ) built in 1783, the church of Aghia Paraskevi in the village square built in 1725, the church of Aghios Georgios of the same era and the churches of Aghios Athanasios, Aghion Apostolon and Aghios Modestos, protector of stock-breeders.
Although many of the old stone-built roofs in village houses have been replaced by modern materials, many are the specimens of this remarkable art ; the mansions of Ch. Drosos, K. Ziozias and A. Dimakis and the village school all testify to the beauty of the art of stone-masonry.
A notable trekking excursion leads to the stone arched bridges of Filos and Aghios Georgios, the stone fountains of Avlotopa and Filos (dated from ca 1800), Foniska (1900) and Neraida (1960).
The great feast of the village takes place on the day of Aghia Paraskevi (26/7) with traditional folk music bands, dancing, roast lamb and other delicacies.
TRY Kebab (sheep's meat) in taverns.
BUY Feta-cheese, kefalotyri (hard cheese) and myzithra (cream cheese) from local producers.
VISIT The springs of Aspropotamos, the fountain of Foniska and Capraria.
The monastery of Prophet Elias. The spring of Vourliga on Lakmos with its Drakolimni (Dragon’s Lake) in the spring.
ENJOY Mountain climbing to Peristeri and Rona.
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