The Gold Book of Argithea | Page 26

THE VILLAGES
ANTHIRO ( BOUKOVITSA ) This village , in Argithea , is built at an altitude of 700 meters in the heart of Thessalian Agrafa . Is the main village and seat of the Municipality of Argithea , with many scattered settlement . The road to the village passes through wild gorges , settlements scattered in lush slopes and covered in forests , offering a mesmerizing view . Right before you enter the villege , you will see on the right , the Monastery of the Assumption of the Mother of God (“ Theotokos ”), built around 1600 a . D . Entering Anthiro and passing through the creek of Goura , you will see the traditional watermill , the whirlpool (“ dristela ”) and the beautiful domed arch above which is the road and the older , two-storey and stone houses of the village . The fountain of Goura is one of the landmarks in Anthiro . On the square looms the church of St . Paraskevi , the patron saint of the village , with its centenarian plane tree , the poplars , the bell tower and the beautiful views of the gorge . In addition , here is the Byzantine Historical Folklore and Ecclesiastical Museum with its rare exhibits . As you tour the area , you will meet the next settlement , Lagadi . Its point of reference is the chapel of St . Anargyri , the Watermill and the trout-producing station . As you leave the settlement , on your way to Metamorfosi – Katousi , you will see the majestic Monastery of the Nativity of the Mother of God , built around 1600 a . D . It is a structure of wonderful architecture and exceptional murals . The traditional settlement of Metamorfosi consists of relatively new stone houses and is a summer resort . Within very short distance is the church of the Transfiguration of Jesus (“ Metamorfosi ”), built around 1500 a . D . Around Anthiro there are rich forests with beech trees , chestnuts trees and firsμ as well as many watermills . In the village there are also two caves , the one in Kleftovrissi and Stavros , and from here passes the E4 European mountaineering trail . In Athniro three cultural associations are active and consistently organizing important cultural events .
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