Museum
The Perama cave
Boats
The Clock
Walking by the lake
The city of Ioannina, with a population of over 100,000 is the capital of the Epirus region of Greece and spreads around the shores of Lake Pamvotis.
It is located 450 km northwest of Athens, the Capital of Greece, 350 km southwest of Thessaloniki, second larger city and 100 km east of the port of Igoumenitsa. In a few hours driving distance, the visitor can enjoy the beauty of the mountainous nature of Epirus as well as the magnificent seashores of the Ionian Sea.
History of the city and sightseeing!
The city of Ioannina was first mentioned in 527 AD by the historian Prokopios who wrote about the establishment of the city, the new Evroia, by the Emperor Justinian the 1st (527 - 565).
Justinian the 1st was the first of many conquerors who reconstructed Ioannina's well-known Castle. However, it was not until 879 AD that the name Ioannina was used for the first time in the Acts of Constantinople, Capital of Byzantium.
The city flourished in time, becoming an important financial and cultural centre. During the Byzantine times it was referred to as "the Metropolis of Knowledge".
The Castle of Ioannina was under Norman (11th century) and later Byzantine rule and finally surrendered to the Turks in 1430. In 1611, after a failed Greek revolutionary movement led by the bishop Dionysios the Philosopher, the Christians were thrown out of the Castle, their homes were destroyed and the city began to grow outside the Castle walls.
The city of Ioannina became a significant financial, intellectual, cultural and educational center under the rule of Ali Pasha, when it was granted administrative privileges and freedom of religion. A legendary figure, Ali Pasha expanded his influence throughout northern Greece and southern Albania and became a threat to the Sultan. He was beheaded by the Sultan's forces in 1822, on the Island of Lake Pamvotis. Ioannina was liberated from the Turks and annexed by the Greek State in 1913.
Today, the city of Ioannina is a modern urban center with a distinctly humane character, in a stunning natural setting. It is well-known for its silver craft, jewelry and sweets. The Castle, the Lake, the Island (of the Lake), the Byzantine Museum, the Cave of Perama, the Vrellis Wax Museum and the nearby Dodoni oracle (ancient theatre and archaeological site) attract visitors all year-round.
Frozen lake Pamvotis and the Tzami (Mosque)