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Epirus excursion - Day 3

The third day was quiet with short distances. The visit was in the archaeological site of Dodona, just 22 klm S. of Ioannina, on the Tomaros mountain. 

Dodona was, together with Delphi, one of the most famous oracles and important sanctuaries of Ancient Greece. Its history is older with its oldest traces date from 3000 B.C. 

The main deity was Zeus of Dodona, who was giving predictions through the noise of the movement of the leaves of the sacred oak tree or other noises from pigeons, spring of water or metals.  

The most of the buildings date from the 5th and mainly the 4th century B.C. 

The oracle had a long life until the 4th century A.D., when Christianity became the official religion and this was the end of the previous pagan religions. 

The visit would be half, if we didn't visit the Archaeological Museum of Ioannina. a beautiful museum, a gem of the city and the whole area. The visitor can find out about the history of Epirus and the most important room is about the oracle of Dodona with its metal sheets on which the predictions were written.

Dr. Christos Kleitsas, archaeologist and with a doctorate in the History and Archaeology Department of the Philosophical School of the University of Ioannina, accompanied us in both archaeological site and museum.

After these two visits, our colleague Nikos Zacharakis took over and we walked in the historical centre with final destination its acropolis, known as Iç Kale (= Inner castle). We travelled back in the Ottoman era and among other places we visited the Silversmithing Museum, an art that the people of Epirus and more of Ioannina were famous of. 

We also visited the Municipal Folklore Museum, which is hosted in the Aslan Pasa Mosque (Aslan Paşa Camiisi) of the 17th century. Vessels, Icons, furniture, jewellery, embroidered textiles, personal belongings of different people are exhibited there. 

There are early pictures and paintings of the liberation of the city in 1912 and the integration of Epirus in the Kingdom of Greece. 

Another landmark is the Pamvotis lake and its island, one of the few inhabited lake islands of Greece. It was the shelter and relaxation place of Ali Pasa, the Lion of Epirus as he was called. His name was connected to lots of a people. Kyra- Frosyni was one of them.

The small settlement is today officially declared as traditional and its protected, since there are important monuments, such as the Monastery of Snt. Nikolaos of Philanthropinon (13th century).

With all these visits the time flew by very fast and we had to go back to the hotel...

We are greatful to everyone for all these memorable moments!!!! We thank you all!!!

Photos