Thesprotia: Ancient Sites, Monasteries and Wetlands

The Kalamas, also known as the Thyamis, runs through Thesprotia and flows into the Ionian Sea. Ancient settlements, monastic history, museums and wetlands offer different ways to explore the region. As you plan, you can start by considering which of these aspects you want to shape your trip.

Ancient Settlements and Political History

Elea was the first capital of ancient Thesprotia and the seat of the Eleatic Thesprotians. It was continuously inhabited from 360 BC to the Hellenistic period. After years of improvement work, the archaeological site of Elea was opened to visitors. From the unification of the Thesprotians in the second half of the 4th century BC until the Roman conquest in 167 BC, Gitana was the political center and seat of the league.

The fortified coastal settlement of Dymokastro lies south of Karavostasi Bay, near Perdika in Thesprotia. Its ruins are provisionally identified with ancient Elina. The site covers 22 hectares and is divided into three sectors on successive terraces of the hill. Several rings of fortifications enclose the complex. Its size and layout give the site a different dimension from the historical roles of Elea and Gitana.

Monastic History and Museum Collections

The Giromeri Monastery lies on the southwestern slope of the Farmakovouni range, north of Filiates and near the settlement of Giromeri. It was founded in the early 14th century, between 1310 and 1320, and was one of the most important monastic centers in Epirus. In the katholikon, Byzantine frescoes from the 16th century stand alongside secular frescoes from the 17th century; there is also a gilded templon from the 19th century. The different dates reveal several periods in the monastery’s decoration.

The permanent exhibition of the Igoumenitsa Archaeological Museum, “Thesprotian Land,” covers the period from the Middle Paleolithic, 100,000 BC, to Ottoman rule in the 19th century AD. Five thematic sections organize the material: an archaeological and historical overview, settlements of the historical period, public life, private life and burial customs. The exhibition’s broad timespan thus extends to specific aspects of life and history.

Folklore museums also offer another way to explore the region’s past. The Margariti Folklore Museum is housed in a historic building dating from 1893 and contains objects from the pre-industrial era. The Polydroso Folklore Museum is considered the oldest museum in Thesprotia and displays 1,300 items relating to the village’s traditions and economy.

Landscapes and Wetlands

Thesprotia combines mountain landscapes with coastal scenery. Lake Kalodiki is a water-lily lake and a wetland of great ecological importance. Hotkova, near Krystallopigi, is also a wetland of great ecological importance. In the Municipality of Souli, the Acheron ecosystem is part of the Natura 2000 network. These protected wetlands and the river ecosystem add to the region’s natural appeal.

Local Orientation and Trip Planning

Local shops along Igoumenitsa’s central pedestrian street sell olives, olive oil, tsipouro, dairy products and sausages. The port of Igoumenitsa in Thesprotia is of national importance and is integrated into the trans-European transport networks. This places the city in a broader regional context.

The Lamvovo bazaar takes place every October in Paramythia. If you want to plan your trip around the bazaar, check the dates for the year you plan to visit. When choosing a hotel in Thesprotia, your personal interests can guide your decision: ancient sites, monastic history and museums, landscapes or local products.

Discover more destinations: Sagiada, Paramythia, Faskomilia, Plataria Thesprotia, Igoumenítsa, Perdika, Syvota, Vasilikos, Parapotamos, Margariti, Dilofo, Glyki, Grekochori, Neráïda, Karavostasi, Kastri.

See the broader travel overview: Epirus.