The Holy Monastery of Kastritsa is one of the most important monasteries in Epirus and is located on Kastritsa Hill, about 12 kilometers southeast of Ioannina, at an elevation of 757 meters, offering a breathtaking view of the city and the lake.
The Holy Monastery of Kastritsa is one of the most important monasteries in Epirus and is located on Kastritsa Hill, about 12 kilometers southeast of Ioannina, at an elevation of 757 meters, offering a breathtaking view of the city and the lake.
The area is of particular historical interest, as the summit of the hill preserves the remains of an ancient acropolis identified with Tekmona, an important city of the Molossians, while at its foot lies a cave with traces of human habitation dating back to the Paleolithic era.
The monastery was founded in the 12th century and is dedicated to the Beheading of St. John the Baptist. Its old katholikon is a remarkable architectural example, featuring 17th-century frescoes and a wood-carved iconostasis of exceptional artistry.
Today it functions as a women’s monastery, preserving its religious and historical character, while the complex also includes a newer church dedicated to the Dormition of the Virgin Mary.
The Old Market of Ioannina, centered around what is now Independence Street, has long been one of the city’s most distinctive hubs of commercial activity.
Epirus is one of Greece’s most important cheese-producing regions, and Ioannina is the main distribution point for this production. Feta PDO cheese occupies a dominant
The Byzantine Museum of Ioannina is located inside the Castle and housed in a historic building, enhancing the experiential aspect of the visit.
