GET TO KNOW THE MUNICIPALITY > ATHAMANIA Athamania is a holiday resort with 800 inhabitants in summer and a cattle-breeding settlement in winter. It is located below Kakarditsa (2,450m), the highest top of Tzoumerka, from where you can enjoy a magnificent view. Legends and stories identify the settlements history with the ancient name of king Athama. Athamania has some remarkable and very important monuments like the churches of Saint Paraskevi, the Saviour, Saint Athanasios, Prophet Ilias, the Saint Apostles and Saint John the Forerunner. Many festivals of various types take place in Athamania. The Vlach festival of Saint Parskevi is the most significant summer celebration. Other festivals take place on July 20th, on Prophet Ilias’ Day. On June 30th, on Saint Apostles Day and August 29th, on Saint John’s Day, bean soup and “blougouri” (crushed grain), cooked with sheep’s meat, is served to all the people. Climbing to Kakarditsa top and fishing in Moutsaritikos river are other possible activities. One can taste local delicacies such as kokoretsi, splinantero, kembap and tsipouro in the local cafes. Don’t forget to buy honey and mountain tea from the local producers. ARCHEOLOGICAL SITES – CHURCHES – MONASTERIES Archeological sites – Findings The very first settlement that was also the capital of Athamania was built in “Vryses”, 200m further on from Palaiochori of Gardiki, where even nowadays ruins of cermets are found. Other archeological findings include coins with images of Athena Dionis on them, where the name Athamanes is written. A specific, rare coin was sold five years ago in an auction hall in England and was finally bought by a man from Athamania who was born in America and still lives there. Churches-Monasteries - Saint Paraskevi (1849), was decorated with frescoes by the Samarinian painter Athanasios Dimitriou (1865). In the past it had many monks and 12 cells which collapsed throughout the years. The new building, that is located next to the old one, used to be a school during the Turkish domination and it is characterized as a scheduled building. - Prophet Ilias, country church - Saint Athanasios (1900). Many wall paintings and the icons of Saint Kyriaki and Saint Mandilios are preserved till today. - Saint Ioannis (country church). There is an old icon of Saint Ioannis the Forerunner. - 12 Apostles, country church (a little further from the village with a view to Agathaki, Velousi, Krali) - Transfiguration.  FOLKLORE MONUMENTS  Fountains: - The fountain in the village’s main square, which was doomed with stone piles and rounded edges. - “Batala”. It is near the church of Transfiguration, the oldest stone fountain with drinkable water. - “Souroto” in “Prodromos”a place a little further from the village. - “Agathaki” - “Sgouros” in Kakarditsa with plenty of cold water. Water Mills: - A water mill which was recently financed by the Leader program and is suitable for use. - A wooden built up area, in the village and next to the stream. It dates back to1820 and is characterized as a scheduled building. EDUCATIONAL AND FOLKLORE SOCIETIES - The Cultural and Educational Society of Athamania “The Athamos” (TRIKALA) - “Agia Paraskevi” the Society of People of Athamania All Around the World (established in 1935 – Piraeus). CULTURAL – FOLKLORE FESTIVALS - July 26th, Saint Paraskevi’s Festival(3-day festival): The celebration starts with the festive Mass in the homonymous church and the “raising” of the wafer at the court yard, while small flower bouquets are offered to the celebrants. The participation of the municipal traditional band in the festival is really important: groups of young people start the festival by visiting the priest’s house and singing “The Galaxidiotissa” and countinue by visiting every single house in the village. In the afternoon, a “bean-rail” is put in the middle of the square and people dance round it. The attendees become more and more as people nearby villages come (many holidaymakers as well), and the priest starts the dance. All the people dance in two lines, one of women and one of men, till dawn. This feeling of fun and participation continues up until the second day of the festival. During the third day, the custom of “The Vlachian wedding” revives with locals wearing traditional costumes. - July 20th, the Prophet’s Ilias Day (in the homonymous country church). The celebration starts with the Mass and “Diaklisi”: a meal with roast lamb and local dishes for the attendees, prepared and served by the local council. - August 6th, Transfiguration (in the homonymous church) - August 16th, a celebration of “Saint Mandilios”, to honour an icon in Saint Athanasios’ church. - August 29th, Saint Ioannis’ Day (in the homonymous country church): during “Diaklisis”, bean soup is served, but no meat, because it is a fasting day. - June 30th, the 12 Apostles’ Day (in the homonymous church): Doxology and Diaklisis in the church yard. - The first ten days in August, a “wine festival” with plenty of wine, organized by the Educational Society. ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES Hiking Excursions: - Athamania – Kakarditsa (2,424m above the sea level) (accessible paths: forest road and then walking in paths) - Athamania – Afti – Neraida – Agia Kyriaki (walking in a rocky rangeland, from the top you can see Pachtouri) - Athamania – Agathaki – Velousi (also by car). In Agathaki there is a resting area with a spring and a camping place available) - Athamania – Agios Ioannis – Profitis Ilias (also a forest road) - Athamania – Pandevgeni - Athamania – Agioi Apostoloi (also a forest road) - Athamania – Gardiki (a river side path) Climbing: - Drakotrepa, (in Pertousa top): a cave. According to local tradition, the cave was formed when Saint Paraskevi killed the dragon that came from the mountain to harm the village. - “Kakarditsa” (Tzoumerkon’s highest top on which the village is located) Hunting: In the “Protected Hunting Zone of Koziakas” you can hunt for bears, wolves, deer, roe deer, hares, partridges and foxes. BUY Local honey, mountain tea, local meat (at selling points, stores and by local producers) TRY Roast lamb and pork kembap.