A gem in Kaimaktsalan
In the traditional settlement of Palaios Agios Athanasios, at the foot of Mount Voras or Kaimaktsalan, stands the Church of the Ascension, one of the most important post-Byzantine monuments in the area. Dated to the 17th century, it is a typical example of the ecclesiastical architecture of the time, with a simple exterior, a stone structure and a distinctive bell tower that harmoniously integrates into the mountainous landscape.
In the church you can admire hagiographies and wood carved elements that highlight the deep religious tradition of the village. The layers of the frescoes, partly worn down by time, reveal high style and narrate scenes of the Christian faith with vividness and sensitivity. The iconostasis, simple but elegant, complements the devout atmosphere of the church.
The Church of the Ascension is one of the main reasons why Palaios Agios Athanasios is a place with a deep historical and cultural identity. The history of the village stretches back centuries, as it was founded in the late 16th century by farmers and craftsmen of Epirus. For a long time, it was under the influence of Ali Pasha of Ioannina, who had granted privileges to the inhabitants for the self-management of their estates. Its strategic location near the ancient Via Egnatia explains the archaeological remains found in the area, fortifications, house foundations and finds from Roman and Byzantine times.
Combine your visit to the Church of the Ascension with a tour of the narrow-cobbled streets and the atmospheric natural landscape that embraces the village, for a complete experience of culture and nature at any time of the year.
In the church you can admire hagiographies and wood carved elements that highlight the deep religious tradition of the village. The layers of the frescoes, partly worn down by time, reveal high style and narrate scenes of the Christian faith with vividness and sensitivity. The iconostasis, simple but elegant, complements the devout atmosphere of the church.
The Church of the Ascension is one of the main reasons why Palaios Agios Athanasios is a place with a deep historical and cultural identity. The history of the village stretches back centuries, as it was founded in the late 16th century by farmers and craftsmen of Epirus. For a long time, it was under the influence of Ali Pasha of Ioannina, who had granted privileges to the inhabitants for the self-management of their estates. Its strategic location near the ancient Via Egnatia explains the archaeological remains found in the area, fortifications, house foundations and finds from Roman and Byzantine times.
Combine your visit to the Church of the Ascension with a tour of the narrow-cobbled streets and the atmospheric natural landscape that embraces the village, for a complete experience of culture and nature at any time of the year.
