GET TO KNOW THE MUNICIPALITY > NERAIDOCHORI Neraidochori is located 1,140m above the sea level, only 4 Km away from Pertouli and is just a short distance away from the beautiful grasslands which give their place to steep tops. Christodoulos Chatzipetros, a hero of the Greek Revolution against the Turks, who connected his own name as well as his home-town’s, with legendary pages of the Greek history, came from Neraidochori. The village is surrounded by the mountain tops Marosa (1,980m) from where one has a magnificent view of Mesochora villages, Megdovas Lake in Karditsa, and the plains of Thessaly, Neraida (2,000m) with a unique view, too, and Loupata. An important 18th century monument is Saint Paraskevi’s church. Saint Nikolaos’ church is also a great monument (built in 1963, according to tradition).Worth-attending is the great fair of Saint Paraskevi which lasts for three days (July 26-28th). Try shoot (roe-deer, hare), “trachanas” (frumenty) and “bligouri” (crushed grain) and buy vegetables, walnuts and blossom-honey from the producers. Visit Smixi and Skala path, Kakorema. Trout fishing is another alternative activity. Climb the following route: Neraidochori – Mandri – Xilogefyra – Skala Path – Stone Bridge – Neraidochori (8 hours). Don’t miss Saint Paraskevi’s fair and the summer festivals. CHURCHES – MONASTERIES - Saint Nikolaos (1764), parish church, three-aisle (two wood-made colonnades). The church was burnt by the Turk-Albanians in 1823 and great damage was caused to the 18th century wall-paintings that adorn the walls. The church was restored in 1830. - Saint Panteleimonas, (country church), (1648). It was said to be of a rectangular style according to the oral tradition. During the Turkish Occupation, the church served as a school. The new church was built in 1976 priest Christos help. - Prophet Elias (country church) (before 1821). It was re-constructed in 1909, as it had collapsed, and in 1972 the church was restored to its present state with the money the villagers had raised. - Saint Paraskevi or Transiguration, located in Tsouka place. It is a basilica style church with a dome. The catholic of the destroyed Monastery Saint Paraskevi of Tsouka is still preserved. The church was built in 1792 by Giorgos or Gousos Chatzipetros next to the church of Transfiguration which was probably built in 1792. The restoration of the monastery took place in 1977 after a donation of Klearchos Dimitrios. Monuments of Folklore Culture Bridge: - Chatzipetros or “Kamara Smixi”, stone-made, one-arched Fountains: - Vaeni, in the village’s main square - Vromovrisi, in the old road Neraidochori – Pyrra - Karagianni, on the top of the village below Saint Paneleimonas’ country church - Tambakou, in the main square, beneath the church (stone built) - Batamari, right before Saint Paraskevi’s church. The fountain also has a watering-trough - Kokkali, opposite to Marosa - Paraga, a stone built fountain with a watering-trough, at the entrance of the village - Souleiman, at the wooden bridge at the location “Ftelia”. This was the rest area for the caravans moving on to the next villages. EDUCATIONAL AND FOLKLORE SOCIETIES - Educational and Beneficial Society (directorate in Neraidochori) - Educational and Beneficial Society (directorate in Larisa) CULTURAL – TRADITIONAL FESTIVALS - July 26th, Saint Paraskevi’s Day (at Tsouka place where the homonymous Monastery is located), (three-day celebration): The fair starts with the Mass, held in the Monastery - During the first ten days of August, the Society of Neraidochori holds a dancing night at Goumaria park – a meeting (“andamoma”) – where meals and drinks are offered  ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES Hiking: - Pertouli – Neraidochori (also by car) - Neraidochori – Mandri – Xilogefiro – Skala Path – Stone Bridge – Neraidochori - Neraidochori – Xilogefiro – Korpou Vlacha – Elati - Neraidochori – Marosa (path) and by car to Marosa spring - Neraidochori – Loupata (top) – Avgo – Marosa (2,020m) – Neraida (part of the European Walking Path E4) - Neraidochori – Xilogefiro – Diaselo – Stournareika - Neraidochori – Pyrra – Desi Places of great natural beauty - “Smixi Bridge” or Skala Path (1650-1652): built by the Chatzipetraioi family. The path starts at the wooden bridge, it is paved and there is a wall to protect the hikers. - Kakorema Climbing: - To the mountain tops: Neraida (2,065m) and Marosa (2,020m) - To Avgo top (1980m): rough access (it is also called “spanorachi” because it doesn’t have fir-trees and dense vegetation like the other tops) Hunting: The area is part of Koziakas reserve. The games are: hare, fox, ferret, weasel and birds. Once or twice a year, the big hunting of the wolf takes place (wolf pursuit in group hunting) Fishing: Trout BUY: You can buy: preserved fruit, meat, trachana (frumenty), noodles, blougouri (crushed grain), walnuts and wood-honey (from fir-trees) TRY: Kokoretsi, games, trachana (frumenty)