GET TO KNOW THE MUNICIPALITY > KALOGIROI 3 km from Agios Prokopios lies the village of Kalogiri. A characteristic of the village is the great number of self-taught botanists leisurely recounting the healing properties of the herbs they collect in Koziakas, after the example of Asklepios. The beauty of the landscape in the vicinity of Kalogiri surpasses all expectation. The springs in Lavrou, Sklithra, Goura, Simiteika, the splendid Livadia, Vrissoula, Goroula and the stream of Kalogiri water the fir, chestnut and pine wooded slopes of Agathara, Katsaros, Prosilio, Rokes and Sklithra. Many wild animals frequent the area: fox and wild boar, wolf and bear. The peaks of Mavropouli (1700m, with a view of Stournareika, Trikala, Karditsa and Neraidochori), Tsiouka (1300m) and Neraida (950m with a view of Trikala, Chassia, Kalambaka and Meteora) rise above the village. The ruins of an ancient fort at the site of Paleokastro attest to the ancient scriptures mentioning the existence of the kingdom of Aethiki here in the 4th c. B.C. The relief column of Echenikos (4th c. B.C.), after long adventures, has ended up in Larissa. The village, once located in the region of Agia Triada, was transferred to its present location in recent times because of landslides. In the course of the long history of the area, the locals were forced many times to seek refuge in the nearby natural shelter on the peak of Neraida. Several times they had to migrate, as for instance when the Turks burned the village and many locals moved to Agia. The old church of Agios Nikolaos dated from the second half of the 19th c. is preserved in the village. There are also the old squares of Despotis and Stratikes (1870-1880). The locals prepare every year’s tsipouro in old distilleries. The wooden utensils workshop of Anastasios Sfyrlidas still works, with an interesting specimen of pre-industrial technology, the water-driven lathe. The village celebrates twice a year: on the day of Agio Pnevma (Holy Spirit) at the chapel of Agia Triada, and on Prophet Elias’ day at the church in the village square, with a feast and a meal for everyone in the square and shops. On August 15th the feast takes place in Livadia, where food is served and local cultural societies present folk songs and dances. ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES – CHURCHES – MONASTERIES Archaeological sites – findings - Traces of a ruined castle of the Hellenistic-Roman times confirm the information of ancient writers that the area of Kalogiroi used to lie at the borders of ancient “Petnaio” or “Potnaio”, Aithikon kingdom, from the 4th B.C. century to the Roman times. - Findings like coins, statuettes, helmets were not regarded by the locals as being important and thus they were not preserved. - Palaiokastro, on Neraida top, is a natural fort where javelins, shields, ancient seals etc. were found. - At Agia Triada, the tombs suggest the presence of an ancient graveyard of the Hellenistic-Roman times. Part of wall, built with huge boulders, is preserved till today. - The tombstone of Echenikos (4th century B.C.) was accidentally discovered by a farmer near the country church of Agia Triada. Echenikos tombstone depicts a warrior or army officer killed in a battle. It is made of Thessalian marble (1.66 x 0.71 x 0.08, pedestal dimensions 78x55x25). It is kept in the Archaeological Museum of Larissa. An exact copy was recently placed at the village square. Churches-Monasteries - Saint Nikolaos (second half of the 19th century). Its construction started in 1896, at a different place, near the river, at the center of the old village. In the courtyard a great fair used to take place with various sport events: wrestling, jump and a big dance held by men and women. The fair stopped being held when the church collapsed. Nowadays, the church is located at another place, at the village square. - Saint Triad (1950). In the old days the church was located at an area difficult to access, on top of a stone. Because it partially collapsed in 1950, it was moved a few metres away from its original position. - Saint Fanourios - Prophet Elias - Saint Marina Monuments of Folklore Culture Fountains: - Stratiki: stone-built with permanent flow - Despoti: stone-built with permanent flow Watermills: - An old watermill in Kalogeritis river, which was in use and covered the needs of the nearby villages. - The village watermill, still in use, where people mill their cereal. Architecture: - A stone-built school built in 1908 when Nikolaos Stournaras was the mayor of the Municipality. The school had almost 100 students at its peak time. The carved symbols are characteristic of the architecture of the time: a cross, a laurel wreath etc. The constructive and decorative technique is suggestive of the love for stone and the value of traditional building materials for the proper harmonization of the buildings with nature and the workers’ artistic feeling. EDUCATIONAL AND FOLKLORE SOCIETIES  - Educational Society (1983) CULTURAL – TRADITIONAL FESTIVALS - December 6th and May 20th, Saint Nikolaos Day (in the homonymous church) - May 20th (celebration of Saint Nikolaos Day, celebrated on a different date because of the small number of inhabitants in winter) and December 6th, Saint Nikolaos Day (in the homonymous church). In the first half of the 19th century, before the collapse of the old church, a big fair used to take place in the church courtyard with sport events like wrestling, long jump and a big dance held by men and women. - The Holy Spirit Day, at Agia Triada church: “Diaklisis” takes place after the Mass. It is a meal prepared in large pots and served to the attendants. After that, traditional dances take place in the courtyard and the crowd joyfully participates. - July 20th, Prophet Ilias Day (in the homonymous church): After the Mass, “diaklisis”, a meal offered to the attendants, takes place. - August 27th, Saint Fanourios Day ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES Walking Excursions: - Kalogiroi – Agios Prokopios – Stournareika (also by car) - Kalogiroi – Vrontero – Elati (also by car) - Kalogiroi – Neraida Cave (Araida) (path with signs) - Kalogiroi – Neraida Cave – Saint Prokopios – Petrochori (path) - Kalogiroi – Livadia – Mauropouli (path with signs, connected to the European Walking Path E4) - Kalogiroi – Milos – Agios Georgios - Kalogiroi – Paliokastro Places of great natural beauty - “Livadia”: a place in the woods with a spring and a fountain (Prophet Ilias fair). Ideal for a pic-nic. - “Tsinika” top (1,300m) - “Mauropouli” top ?(1,721m) - Neraida Cave and “Araida” Cave - Kalogiroi forest: take a break at the following springs Lauros, Sklithra, Goura and Mesochori. Climbing: - Climb to the tops: Mauropouli (1,721m), Tsiouka (1,300m) and Neraida (950m) - Climbing through natural tracks on the mountains of Kalogiroi Fishing: In Kalogeritis river (access through a path and a forest road) BUY: Mountain herbs (tea, camomile, oregano and wild-oregano, bitouni and mint, melissochorto and nettle), corn flour (at selling points, stores, taverns, cafes and local-producers). TRY: Local tsipouro, bites, retsina, pies, plasto, dairy products, roast meat in a pot and on the spit, soups, patsa (tripe soup).