The protected area of Tzoumerka (or Athamania) and Peristeri (Lakmos) inhabited from the Late Bronze Age (around 2000 BC). Irrefutable evidences of the long history of Tzoumerka are the monuments that have survived until today.
The monuments found in the protected area of the National Park of interest from a historical and archaeological point of view, but also because of their special architectural and concern:
- About 157 monuments dating from prehistoric-classical to post-Byzantine and modern times.
- Five (5) settlements (Syrrako Kalarrytes Raftanaion, Gravel, Anthousa) protected by special provisions, and have been characterized as traditional, in order to maintain unchanged the image they had in the past as well as their local character.
- Several churches and monasteries dating from the 13th century can be seen in the villages and in pristine places.
- Numerous newer buildings or traditional constructions, such as nerotrivi, mantania, watermills, schools, etc., which indicate the traditional way of life and survival, and the popular culture of the local people in the years of Ottoman rule and the pre-industrial era.
- 70 Stone bridges in Arachthos and its tributaries and 13 bridges that have survived intact Aspropotamos as that of Michou in Anthousa.
- Dozens of museums operate in the region, hosting rich and valuable exhibits collections.
- The karstic cave of Anemotripa (wind hole) near Pramanta, with impressive stalactites and stalagmites, waterfalls and small ponds.
What to visit:
- The famous Plaka Bridge, the largest stone one-arch bridges in the Balkans, built in 1866.
- Five villages (Syrrako, Kalarrytes, Raftanaioi, Chaliki, Anthousa), are protected under special provisions, since they have been designated as traditional settlements with the aim to preserve their old-time traditional charm and unique local character.
- The impressive Monastery of Kipina, built in 1212 in the slot of a vertical rock near Kalarrytikos River and is dedicated to the Assumption of the Theotokos (meaning “the Mother of God”).
- The Monastery of Viliza, which is decorated inside with frescoes dating back to 1797. It is located in the path that connects Matsouki to Kalarrytes above the confluence of three tributaries of Arachthos, at an altitude of 1050m.
- The Monastery of Panagia Chrysospiliotissa in Gouriana.
- The Monastery of Panagia Galaktotrofousa, in Anthousa.
- The Monastery of Zoodochos Pigi or Kiatra Rosia in Anthochori.
- The Monastery of Panagia Gradetsiou surrounded by old ruins in Mikri Gotista.
- The church of St. Nicholas with the embroidered epitaph and diploskalisto temple and the home of the poet K. Krystalli Syrrako
- The Monastery of Tsouka and the Modern Art Museum “Theodore Papayannis” in Elliniko.
- The Folklore Museum Karali and Annunciation Monastery, which was founded in 1700 with beautiful frescoes, are maintained in good condition in Kypseli.
- The Folklore Museum of and the traditional watermill in Agnanta.
- The museum of Peter Chachoulis with tradiotional constructions in Graikiko.
- The Folklore Museum in Athamanio and Agia Kyriaki monastery to Fairy.
- The Red Church built in 1281 and the permanent photo exhibition of Kostas Balafas at Paleochori near Voulgareli.
- The old watermill, the Souda waterfalls with permanent flow and the Stream Aspri Goura, in Theodoriana.
- The Monastery of Saint George in Vourgareli.
- The impressive double waterfalls and the Monastery of St. Catherine in Kataraktis.
