Πολιτισμοί της ορεινότητας:

The sort of tourism that immerses the visitor in a place and its culture is possible thanks to a couple of evidence based cultural routes that if utilized for traveling opportunities could result in the creation of a new dialogue, communication exchanges and regional development. Because these cultural routes have been determined based on research material, when the visitor arrives to the region he or she immediately builds awareness around the place’s locality. At the same time, these routes may emerge as a new means to build awareness around common European cultural values. These routes could also serve as a cultural medium that would prompt a sense of responsibility that will protect the region while making best use of its resources at the present moment. The region’s cultural wealth begins in the 16th century are focuses exclusively on two routes of interest.

1.Theme of First Cultural Route: Devotion to the Virgin Mary (Panagia)

The first route has a religious theme to it. It focuses on the worship of the Virgin Mary as a figure of reassurance. For locals, the Virgin Mary performs a variety of roles but on every occasion these hold different meanings. This route leads toward a substantial number of Monasteries and Churches dedicated to the Virgin Mary, who is honored with religious and popular celebrations (e.g. festivals). Monastic architecture, iconography and sculpted sanctuaries are irrefutable evidence of a prosperous and long-term culture. These reveal the deep religiosity of the people and their worship toward the Virgin Mary albeit mainly as a motherly figure.

2.Theme of Second Cultural Route: Stone Structures Related to Water

The second route is entitled “Stone Structures Related to Water” and refers to the local population’s perseverance in their struggle for survival. Nonetheless, this struggle developed a balanced, dialectical relation with the mountainous nature. Resources are applied with respect to nature’s terms for sustainability. By sharing a common place and having to manage an endless supply of water, skilled craftsmen built stone structures for various uses (e.g. water mills, water basins, fountains) and a means to exchange communications (e.g. stone bridges). These craftsmen used preindustrial techniques and materials supplied by nature and were originally from specific settlements of Tzoumerka known for their crafty workers (e.g. Pramanta, Ktistades, Mihalitsi, Houliarades etc).