IOANNINA

The city of Ioannina, next to the lake Pamvotis, is the capital of Epirus, northwestern Greece. Lake Pamvotis lies at the centre of a 480 metre-high basin in a picturesque mountain setting, with the Kyra Frosyni Island in its middle and the sprawling city of Ioannina on its western shores.

Natural beauty, historic and modern buildings come together at Ioannina, offering a vibrant and contemporary city comprising the most important commercial and cultural centre in Epirus and north-western Greece.

The Archaeological Museum of Ioannina exhibits finds from Epirus ranging from the Paleolithic period to Roman times. They include artefacts from the sacred area of what claimed to be the oldest-known oracle in ancient Greece in the Temple of Zeus at Dodona.

Byzantine finds can be seen at the 'little island' of Kyra Frosyni and monasteries with splendid frescoes, together with the legendary Ali Pasha's house - last refuge. The Byzantine museum at Ioannina situated in the medieval castle within the citadel, is also worth visiting. The tomb and the headquarters of Ali Pasha can also be found here. A walk along the lake shores and the castle walls, next to historical places and buildings conjures-up legends such as that of Kyra Frosyni. She was sentenced to drown in the lake after having caught the eye of Ali Pasha who desperately fell in love with her.

The University of Ioannina, major hospitals, the new Egnatia Motorway, the Nautical Club and the Centre of Nautical Sports, the Airport, the 'lake-planes', the expansion of the city, the construction of large-scale public works are evidence of the city's modern hub.