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Ioannina is built at an altitude of 470 m., at the western bank of the picturesque lake of Pamvotis. It is the capital city of the homonymous prefecture, but also of the whole province of Epirus. It is an important city and one of the biggest cities of the country.

The name of the city probably comes from the monastery of St. Ioannis the Vaptist. Historians claim that the establishment of the city became by the Emperor Ioustinianos, who built a fortress near Pamvotis lake. In 1082 the city was conquered by the Normad Voimoundos.

In the 1204 with the establishment of the Despotate of Epirus the city was developed a lot ecomically and it was an important cultural centre. Many benefits were given to its habitants. The last despot Karolos B’ Tokkos under the pressure and the threat od Sinan Passa abandoned the city in 1430. The habitants surrendered to avoid the battles and their benefits were continued during the Ottoman period with a peak moment the period of Ali Passia.

At the period of Ali Passia the city developed  a lot to every sector and it was one of the most important European cities. There were many schools at that period where many teachers and scholars taughts, such as: Methodios Anthrakitis, Neofytos Doukas, Ioannis Vilaras, Athanasios Psalidas, etc.

Today the city of Ioannina is a modern city with european characteristics, which is full of life and is famous for the entertainment and the nightlife that offers. The history and the tradition are obvious to every ccorner. The old city and the castle remind different periods, where dominate memories of its Byzantine past and but also of mondern history and is an alive memorial place.

The city has two big hospitals, one of which is the university hospital and university. Ioannina has also a large number of night clubs, bars, restaurants, theatres, cinemas, etc. For your stay you will also find many hotels and rental rooms.

The visitors will have the chance to taste the traditional sweets of Ioannina and the delicious traditional cuisine, of which main dishes re pies but also others traditional delicacies.

The region is also famous for its silver art and jewellery that are produced here for many centuries with the same traditional ways.

It worths visiting in the city:

• The picturesque castle with the two citadels which is populated and nowadays
• The picturesque lake of Pamvotis
• The clock in the central square of the 1905
• The Folk Art Museum and the Gallery
• The Tourist kiosk and the theatre
• The Archaeological museum
• The Byzantine museum
• The museum “Arms of the War” of Fotis Rapakousis, in the Castle
• The Folk Art Museum in Aslan mosque
• The old fortress “Litharitsia”
• The Library of Zosimaia
• The City hall
• The park of Pyrsinella, an important green park to the city
• The municipal Gallery
• The Mansion of Misions of the 1844
• The Metropolitan church of St. Athanasios
• The churches of St. Aikaterini of the 1771, St. Marina, Archmandreio, St. Nicolas of the Market which was renovated in 1837, the church of Perivleptos of the 1839, the church of St. Nicolas of Kopani and the new-built church of St. Georgios in the centre of the city
• The holy school of the mosque of Veli

In the national road that leads from Ioanninna to Kozani, at a distance of 64 km. at the north among imposing mountain is built the town of Konitsa. It is located on the slope of the mountain Gymnadi and at an altitude of 630 metres. On its north extends the valley of Sarantoporos, on its east the valley of Aoos and on the south the plain of Konitsa and Kleidonia.

In the plain of Konitsa meet the rivers of Sarantoporos, Aoos and Voidomatis. The region is bounded by the mountainous bulks of Grammos on the north, Smolikas on the east, Gkamila on the south and Memertsika and Kamenik on the west. Plains, mountains, rivers, gorges and rich vegetation cover the region, creating a unique landscape. The exceptional ecosystem of the region is protected by the National Gorge of Vikos – Aoos and is offered for many activities of ecotourism.

About the origins of the name “Konitsa” there are many aspects through the years. The historian P. Aravantinos believes that comes from the change of the name Knossos (Knossos – Konissos – Konissa – Konitsa) an ancient city of Epirus that it was built at the location of Konitsa. For the name of the ancient city the researchers haven’t still made any coclusions. However, excavations showed that the ancient city was really existing and it was an important power state during the ancient times.

The traveller Poukevil thinks that the name “Konitsa” has slavic origins and comes from the word “konitza”, which means the land of horses. There is also a myth, according to it is believed that the lord Koni gave its name to the region. It is said also that he built the castle, the ruins of it are on the church of St. Varvara.

Konitsa was always the administrative centre of the around area. During the Ottoman period Konitsa was an important trading centre and the local turkish aristocracy was very powerfull. This is obvious by the various impressive turkish monuments, which are saved till today. Konitsa was also the hometown of many and important benefactors.

Konitsa was liberated by the Turks on February 24th in 1913. During the period of 1940 – ’41 suffered a lot of devastation by the Italian conquerors. Nowadays it is a developing region of Epirus, seat of the homonymous municipality but also of the metropolis of Dryinoupoleos.

Sights in Konitsa:

• The gorge of river Aoos with its famous bridge of Konitsa
• Tha National Gorge of Vikos – Aoos
• The monastery of Stomio in the gorge of river Aoos
• The church of St. Apostoles from the 17th century
• The litlle church of St. George Neomartyras (it has 120 icons of hagiographers from Chionades)
• The Folk Art Museum
• The library
• The farming school of Anagnostopoulos
• The mosque of Sultan Souleiman, of the 16th century
• The mansion of Chamko, Ali Passia’s mother
• The red monastery of Virgin Mary, a byzantine church of the 1412