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Edessa 3000 years of history History & Culture. In 814 B.C Heraclides KARANOS makes Edessa the capital city of the first kingdom of the Macedonians and the fate of the city was identified with the history of Macedonia. Ancient, byzantine but also industrial finds testify the towns' history. Romans, Slavs, as well as Ottomans, pass from its history. On 18th October 1912, the town was liberated and incorporated to the Hellenic state as capital city of the Prefecture of Pella. In 1923 many Asian refugees came to live in Edessa while in the 50 - 60, the "White Coal" (hydro energy), which for centuries had moved mills, workshops, industries and factories, becomes useless. This was the end of the industrial growth of the town.Capital of the prefecture with 18.832 inhabitants. Built on the foot of Vermio mountain, it has beautiful view on the plain, much green, gardens full of flowers and abundant waters. It is one of the most beautiful cities of Macedonia. In 1977, the excavations in Vergina proved that this city has no relationship with the city of Aeges, the ancient macedonian capital, as it was believed in older times. Edessa, as the excavations at Logos proved, was a significant city already since the Hellenistic Times, although its greatest bloom was noticed in the Roman and the Paleochristian Years, fact that is probably related to the existance of Egnantia Street as well as the decline of Pella. The city, which in the 7th century became bishop`s base, was significant even in the Byzantine Times. In the years of the wars of Basil the second (976-1025) against Samuel, the castle of Edessa was captured twice by the Bulgarians, yet it was taken back by the Byzantines in 1018. The sources of that age frequently mention the city by the name Vodena which results from the Slavic word "voda" which means water. In the 14th century, the castle of Vodena was under the domination of the Serbs of Dousan, till, after a siege of eight months, it was underhandedly captured by the Turks. In the years of the Turks' domination, christianity was intense in the city, while in the middle of the 18th century a hellenistic school was founded, where Parasceuas Amfilochios teached, who came from the city of Giannena. In 1782, "Hellenomuseum" and the "Common School", which was a public school, were founded, while the local people were offering money for their needs. In the end of the 18th century, when the city noticed great bloom and the Greeks were of the population, Edessa came to the authority of Ali Pasha. It was liberated with the rest Macedonia in 1912.

Antiparos, a small Cycladic Paradise

Every year thousands of tourists visit these wonderful beaches. One can even discover small emerald coloured beaches which are unique in the Aegean. These are not the only unique beaches mentioned above. There are others which you can visit in combination with a mini cruise with fishing boats. In such a case one can enjoy the Pantieronisia, the small island of Despotiko famous for its archaelogical findings, the beach of Faneromeni, the one of Agios Spiridonas, the cave of Mastihari....all quiet and most beautiful.A cave with stalagmites and stalactites can't help being a natural wonder, and a sight to see. It is known that throughout history, people used it as a refuge until they started building houses, and later on as a place of worship. If finds dating back to the Stone Age had been discovered there, it also would have had some archaeological interest. Antiparos cave has a uniqueness, not only because of its enchanting stalagmites, which took thousands of years to form from water eroding the limestone, but also because of its strong connection with the history of the island. Ancient pots were discovered in the cave as well as a dedication to the goddess Diana. According to an inscription, one of the caves first visitors was Archilochos the Parian who was a great lyrical poet. The names of Macedonian generals can also still be seen. They conspired against Alexander the Great and found refuge in the Cave of Antiparos in order to hide themselves to save their lives.

The border Thrace

Occupying a prime location, Thrace, with a major contribution to the shaping of Greek mythology, was inhabited by the utmost antiquity. Main geographical features of this gifted by nature region is the Rhodope Mountains, Mount Saos of Samothrace, large forests, fertile plains, rivers such as the Evros and Nestos, lakes Vistonida and Ismarida. The visitor is impressed by the famous archaeological sites, the byzantine, medieval and ottoman monuments, the fine examples of folk architecture, the harmonious coexistence of Christian and Muslim tradition.Thrace is an area of 8,578 sq. km. and a population of 345,709 inhabitants. It is divided into the prefectures of Evros, Xanthi and Rodopi. In Thrace belongs the island of Samothrace, which is a special province of Evros Prefecture. The climate of Thrace is continental, but generally healthy except for the river Evros, which is very fluid. Financially, Thrace is a rural area. It cultivates mainly cereals and tobacco, which is world renowned and is one of the greatest sources of wealth in Greece. It has valuable livestock and there is a good exploitation of the forests.

Ski Center Velouchi - Karpenisi

The Ski Center Velouchi Karpenisi is one of the best winter destinations and boasts all modern instruments and service for skiers. You can find hotels and hostels in Karpenisi and the region to stay.

Kythnos, an island ideal for relaxing holidays

Kythnos probably took its name from the leader of Dryops and first inhabitant of the island, Kythnos, although his existence is doubtful. Another possibility is that its name comes from the stem "kyth", which derives from the verb keptho (hide) and refers to the place where one can hide, probably a place with woods, valleys, caves or mines. Recent excavations at Maroulas area have brought to light findings which prove that the island was inhabited during the Mesolithic Period, that is it may have been the oldest settlement of man on Cyclades. In the 13th century B.C., according to Herodotus, the Dryops emigrated to the island, traces of whom are the Cyclopean walls and the temples they have left behind. The Ions were the next to inhabit the island. In the Kinthean Republic, Aristotle refers to the ideal state those peoples had created.During the Persian Wars, Kythnos participates with one trireme and soon after it becomes member of the Athenian Alliance. Later it becomes part of the Roman state and afterwards it is included in the Aegean Theme by the Byzantines. During the Venetian domination it is conquered by the noble Marko Sanoudo and it is called Thermia, because of its hot (therma) spring waters. Then it comes under the rule of the Castelli family and later on the family of Gozadini. It remains under the rule of the family even after the looting of the pirate Barbarossa (1537), because of the peace treaty that was signed between the Turks and the Venetians, while during the Russian-Turkish war it is conquered by the Russians. In 1827, the island is called Kythnos again and takes part in the fight against the Turks. During the reign of Othona, rebels and political prisoners were exiled to Kythnos. In 1862 rebels from Syros came to the island to free the prisoners and clashed with the government’s army at the bay of St. Irini. The outcome of the clash was the repression of the rebels and the death of the rebels Leotsakos, Moraetinis, Scravelis and other exiles. Today, the people of Kythnos are in tourism business, without having abandoned other occupations such as agriculture and fishing. They offer to the visitor the perfect combination of the Cycladic scenery, the crystal clear waters, the local products (meat, dairy products, fruit, vegetables) and the fresh fish out of their own fishing boats.

Ano Pedina Zagori

Ano Pedina (Upper Soudena) is one of the oldest Zagorohoria villages. It is located 35 kilometers north of Ioannina City and at an altitude of 900 meters. The name probably Soudena is Slavic and means "cool place", possibly because of the cold airstreams coming from the five hills' slope to the village Ano Pedina that is allocated among the hills.The first historical reference to the village is the Chrysovolo (order) in the year of 1362 of the Byzantine Emperor Andronikos III Palaiologos. The upper village area called Machalas has its center in the church of Virgin Mary. Around 1670 was created Under Machalas which is centered in the area of church Metamorphosis. During the late Ottoman Empire the village has the best period as all Zagorohoria villages, because of the autonomy and the famous travel baths of Zagori. The Soudeniotes inhibitants traveled mainly in Wlachia, Istanbul, Minor Asia and Egypt.Moreover Soudena had developed a high spiritual growth, which shows the dozens of floors at the perimeter of the settlement.

Aristi Zagori

Aristi constitutes one from the 44 villages of Zagoriou and is found hardly 44 km Northeast from Ioannina, few kilometres from the gorge of Vikos, in the heart of Zagori and the greatness of natural beauty of Pindos.In order to come to Aristi, you leave from Ioannina and you follow the national street Ioanninon - Konitsis. Two kilometres afterwards Kalpaki you follow the signs to Aristi, Papingo and ravine of Vikos.Aristi is one of the biggest and most beautiful villages of Zagori with the old mansions, the churches and the monasteries that testify the acne and the culture of village in the passage of time. With the view to Voidomati river, Aristi it constitutes base of operations for day-long excursions and tours.

Kaimaktsalan Ski Centre

The Ski Centre of Kaimaktsalan got its name from the place name of the mountain which hosts it. The word Kaimaktsalan, according to an analysis of the scholar and professor, Mr N. Sidiropoulos, has Turkish roots and literally means the thief of creamy foam. Why this name was given is not accurately perceived and there are several interpretations based on what is transferred orally from generation to generation. Mount Kaimakatsalan or Voras is on the border with FYROM and its ridge is the line between the two countries. It is the third largest highest mountain in Greece with 2.524m., which is a top in the ski center. At the top, and on the border line, there is the church of Prophet Elias, which is a monument of the first World War. Most of its areas are proposed to be included in Nature 2000.At the foot of the mountain is Lake Vegoritis, one of the largest of Greece in scope and depth, that lies within the geographical borders of three prefectures - Pella, Florina, Kozani - and protected by the Ramshar Treaty. The view from the mountain is spectacular, as one can, with naked eye, observe the Thermaikos Gulf, the peak of Mount Olympus and of course the ski centre of 3-5 Pigadia of Naoussa. When the cloud is low, you feel that you are on an airplane and you see beneath the white quilt-forming clouds. The Ski Center at an altitude of2.050m., where is the main shelter, parking lots, ski schools, ski slopes for beginners, rental shops, vendors and the first lift, and it ends at 2.480m altitude, where is the arrival station of the highest lift of Greece.

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