Sivota Thesprotia, a beautiful seaside village

Sivota is a picturesque little fisherman's village, situated 25 klm south of the harbor city Igoumenitsa and 25 klm north of the known city of Parga. The prefecture to which Sivota belongs is called Thesprotia, one of the most distant parts at the northwest of the country. 91 percentage of the prefecture is covered with mountains, through which the rivers Kalamas and Acherontas flow calmly on most days. The wild and hard on its residents environments is filled with canyons and rocks and forests and wildlife, offering an impressive and majestic view to its visitors. The local economy is based on agriculture, animal breeding, trade and tourism. The harbor of Igoumenitsa is the largest source of income for the area, which counts for approximately 45.ooo citizens.

Thesprotia is a place filled with remainders of its rich history. The first Greek tribes to settle in Thesprotia were the Thesprotians, from which the area took its name, in 2000 b.C. One thousand years later, the Molossoi settled in the area, and from the 8th to the 6th century b.C. the Corinthians, the Ileians and the Kerkyraioi founded colonies in the area. At this time, the area knows its blossoming. The first copper coins were cut, a written language was used and the Common of the Thesprotians was founded, with its capital first at Elea and then at Gitani. Unfortunately, during the last two prechristian centuries, Thesprotia became familiar with destruction by a number of different exogenous factors, especially by a variety of Roman armies. Through Pax Romana new wealthy settlements were founded, Foiniki and Ladochori, only to be raided by German and Slavic tribes at the end of the 4th century A.C. Residents of the area were driven to naturally fortified positions, meaning the hard mountains of the area. Thesprotia, due to its strategic position, was the victim of wargames for years to come. It lost its shores from the Venetians, which were the rulers of the whole area at that time, at the end of the 4th century A.C. Parga, Fanari and Sagiada were created during that time. Igoumenitsa, Paramithia and Osdina were created in the After Byzantine times, in the 13th and 14th century. These cities, after their subjection to the Turks, flourished in trade and continuously struggled against the Turks, most known examples, Dionysos the Skylosophos and the villagers of Souli. After centuries of struggle, invasions, trouble and war, the Greek army finally liberated Thesprotia on the 23rd of February 1913. Consistent to its history, Thesprotia is filled with monuments of all periods of its existence, more information at recreation. Cultural Tourism, Thesprotia has a rich tradition throughout the centuries and is reflected in all parts of the area through monuments of all periods.


Many sites are worth visiting, especially if one considers their significance in the Greek history. Castles at Ligia, the 3 castles situated south of river Kalamas are considered to be a colony of Corfu. Excavations have shown the existence of a small altar, a water deposit and military facilities. Elea, ancient village, city of Eleatis, founded in the 4th century B.C., first capital of Thesprotia. Now one can see parts of the walls surrounding the village. Excavations have shown a shrine, a public building, storage areas and part of a theatre. Fanoti, ancient village with castle, at the situation Ntoliani. Surrounded by walls. Elina, Ruins of an ancient village were found above Karavostasi beach and are said to be ancient Elina, capital of Thesprotians. Village protected by walls. Gitani or Titani, second most ancient capital of Thesprotians, blossomed in during the Hellenistic period. Ruined in 167 B.C. by the Romans. Excavations show parts of the city walls, two public buildings, a shrine, private homes, part of the theatre of the city and an ancient market. Thesprotia hosts approximately 16 convents of historical significance, with the oldest one dating the beginning of the 10th century and the oldest dating to the middle of the 19th century. Traditional settlements can be found in the area of Margariti and Paramithia.

The area offers a large variety of alternative activities, mostly sports and nature visiting. The main natural attractions of the area are the following: Kalamas River and Kalamas delta, the river was used in the ancient days as a trade route. At it shores many important cities were established, as Ligia, Gitani, Fanoti. Today the river is a place of exquisite natural beauty and has a very important ecological significance. The area is protected, since it hosts a large variety of flora and fauna, including rare or endangered species. Kalamas Canyon, protected nationally and internationally area, hosts many variances of birds. Waterfalls, near Katarraktis or Gliziani, waterfalls that impressed many visitors of the last century, including Lord Byron. Theogefiro, natural bridge made of large rocks, used as water crossing for many years. Situated at Lithino village. Acheron River and Canyon, location of exceptional natural beauty, protected area on national and international level. Mountain Mourgana and Mountain Gorillas, filled with forests and traditional villages. One can visit the cultural museum of Tsamantas and the convent of Kamitsiani. Gorillas can be accessed through Paramithia. Activities, Canyoning at Acheron River, 4 to 5 hours route. Horse riding at Mesovouni Margariti. Sailing, from Igoumenitsa. Canoe Kayak and Rafting at Kalamas River, 3 to 5 hours, depending on route chosen. Diving, from Sivota, training offered.