GET TO KNOW THE MUNICIPALITY > VRONTERO Vrontero 850m above the sea level is only 22Km far from Pili, at the left of Elati area. Local traditions have the village named after the rumbling (“Vrontes”) of the guns during the first council of Captains, like the Stournaraioi and the outlaw Theodoros Markantas. Also the famous bandit Tzatzas found refuge there, where a spring was named after him. Two tributaries of Portaikos flow through the village, Tzarpanos and Milos, while lush chestnut tree forests surround it. If we follow the narrow forest path, we reach the tops of Kazarma and Ano Lapato, where we can gaze at the lake of Megdovas and Pertouli. The village is also known as a “herald” of news, due to the fact that its inhabitants travelled a lot but also because there was an inn at the position “Kargonas Kastanodasos”, which served as a meeting place for all the travellers. At Vrontero, local fairs took place to honour St Georgios and Prophet Ilias, with food cooked in big pots at the church yard, but also for the Transfiguration of the Saviour, where the people celebrated in local taverns. We should also mention that there are many taverns in the area, offering local food in combination with a breathtaking view to Koziakas. ARCHEOLOGICAL GROUNDS – CHURCHES – MONASTERIES Archeological grounds – Findings Traces of castles from the Hellenistic era have been found. An ancient settlement came to light in “Tsiouka”, a little lower than today’s village, in a protrusion of the slope. Traces in “Kazarma” top, “Korpou” area, are also visible where tomb ruins and two skeletons where found by the archaeologists. (There was considered to be a Turkish rampart, military guardhouse). At “Keramaria” traces of an old pottery house were found. Churches-Monasteries - Saint George, hermitage (a monastery once, as implied by the existing cells and the natives’ narrations) with remembrances of 1748, 1833, 1840, 1842, where a gospel was kept (1740). The church was built in 1874. - Prophet Ilias - Transfiguration of the Saviour Monuments of Folklore Culture - Chania at Korpou place, G Patsiatzis, Souflias and Karathanos at Kargiona place which served the moving population, the Vlachs and the Sarakatsanaious when moving from the plains to the mountains. - The Lantzonites, it is said that they boiled chestnuts in dixies to offer them to travelers, so they could continue their “vlachostrata” or cobbled road. Remains of this road are still preserved in quite a good condition between Korpou and Neraidochori, along the right riverside. - Korpou Fountain, a stone built fountain, with continuous flow, accessible also by car. There are a rest area, a kiosk and wood-made stands. - Fournoi, a ruined building at the homonymous place, on Kazarma top, 1,500m above the sea level, where it is said that ovens used to be in use during the Turkish Domination. - Architecture – houses: Vrontero consists of stone-made, ground-floor houses or two-storey ones. Many of these date back many years ago. - An old, lordly, traditional two-storey house belonging to the brothers Christos and Nikolaos Karathanos, sons of Giannakis Karathanos who was arrested and killed by the Turks at Kazarma place as he was held responsible for revolutionary action. During the civil war, this building was a hospital for the wounded men of ELAS. - Chrysomallei mansion (Elias Gogakos tavern nowadays), Souflei mansion (ex-town hall), Fasoulei mansion. The mansions are made with the artistic feeling and the style of the beginning of the 20th century and by Epirus builders. They were demolished by the offspring who built new houses instead. In the Fasoulei mansion there are the loopholes and scalders above the main entrance, where from the owners defended their lives and their properties from the invaders. - Watermills which covered people’s needs for grinding and washing the bedding. - Watermill traces are found on Vrontero – Xilochori borders, which was said to be stone-built. EDUCATIONAL AND FOLKLORE SOCIETIES - Cultural and Educational Society (not active) - Forest and Agricultural Association (1988) (still active) CULTURAL – FOLKLORE FESTIVALS - April 23rd, Saint George Day (in the homonymous church): The celebration starts with the Mass, “diaklisis” follows (a meal prepared by the villagers and served at the church to the attendants – it consists of “food cooked in a caldron” following a traditional local recipe) and ends with a fair in the courtyard. - July 20th, Prophet Elias Day (in the homonymous country church): the celebration is completed with “diaklisis”, the standard meal to the attendants with “food cooked in a caldron”. - August 6th, Transfiguration (in the homonymous church): After the Mass, a fair starts at the local taverns, called “magazia”. ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES Hiking Excursions: - Vrontero – Vlacha (also by car in an accessible forest road) - Korpou Fountain – Skasmeni – Smaltovaltos (accessible forest road) - Korpou Fountain – Fournos – Kato Lapato (accessible forest road) - Voidopoulo – Zervo – Plakes (also by car in a forest road) - Geladaria – Kokkinochoma – Agriokanavos (also by car in a forest road) - Vrontero - Korpou Fountain – Geladaria – Xilogefyro – Neraidochori (also by car in a forest road) - Vrontero - Korpou Fountain – Xilogefyro – Pyrra (forest road) - Vrontero – Elati – Pertouli – Neraidochori (by car) - Vrontero – Kalogiroi (also by car) - Vrontero – Korpou – Profilakio Marosas – Stournareika – Mesochora (dam) (also by car) - Elati – Vrontero – Stournareika (European Walking Path, 4 hours walk) - Vrontero – Kalogiroi (also by car) - Lapato – Kazarka – Fournoi Places of exceptional natural beauty: - “Korpou” Fountain: rest area (kiosk, wood-made stands, green grasslands crossed by small rivers, small lakes). - Tops: “Kazarka” (1,500m above the sea level), “Lapato” (1,600m), “Fournoi” - Places: “Voidopoulo” (forest road and 200m path) - “Rachi Bellou” (accessible forest road) - “Manes” the village’s highest point - Country churches: Saint George, Prophet Elias Climbing: - To “Mauropouli” Mountain Biking: - Mountain biking, enduro, moto cross, 4x4 in forest roads (see “hiking excursions”) Fishing – Swimming: Korpou stream, Vares, Kranorema, Xirovares, Vlachou, Kakorema, Gala BUY: Woodcrafts (Wood-made objects with topics derived from nature, tradition, Saints’ lives and ancestors). Biological products (vegetables, fruits), honey, chestnuts, walnuts, herbs and local tsipouro (at selling points, stores, taverns, cafes and local producers). TRY: Pies, roast meat on the spit, plucks, honey, chestnuts, walnuts, apples, boiled greens, patsas, prasotigania, boiled goat, local tsipouro. (Resource: trikala.gr)