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Best places to visit in Evia in Municipality of Dirfion - Messapia

The Municipality of Dirfion-Messapia is full of sights . Our travel guide has collected the main ones and presents them to you in the full article that follows. 

TRIADA

Agia Kalliopi / Mausoleum of the Kriezotis Family 

Northeast of the village of Triada,  a short distance from the Byzantine church of Agia Triada (located here ) and under the shade of a centuries-old holly, is the naidrio of Agia Kalliopi .

It was erected by Spyridon Kriezotis, at the end of the 19th century, on the ruins of an existing Byzantine cruciform church, in the type of the inscribed cruciform.

It was dedicated by Spyridon Kriezotis, grandson of the chief Nikolaos, to Agia Kalliopi to honor the memory of his mother, Kalliopi. Over the years, the chapel, located near the mansion of the Kriezotis family, was used as a mausoleum. 

Inside are kept the relics of all members of the family, except the ossuary of the chief Nikolaos Kriezotis, whose bones were deposited in 1863 in the chapel of Agios Ioannis Prodromos in Mytika. 

Kriezotis Family Mansion 

The mansion building, known as the ” Tower or Palace of Kriezotis “, was built in 1898 and is located here .

It is a stone-built two-storey building with wooden roof compositions. The building was the residence of the family of the grandson of the chief, Spyros Kriezotis.

The main building had two levels, the ground floor and the first floor. On the ground floor, in the central large area of ​​the dining room, there were paintings, luxurious decorative objects and unique candlesticks, while the walls were decorated with carnations of the chief.

Characteristic of the interior of the palace was the rich decoration of the spaces with wood.

ATTALI

Byzantine Church of Panagia Theotokou 

The church of the Entrances of the Virgin in Attali  (see its location here ) has the same floor plan and almost identical dimensions (14.5 meters X 11.8 meters) with the nearby church of Agios Nikolaos.

It was built in the type of the cruciform inscribed with a dome and the church of Agios Nikolaos belongs to the same architectural type. The two monuments in the east end in three pentagonal arches, while in the west in a narthex, at the northern end of which there is an arcosol (burial monument).

They are the earliest of the few Evian cruciform inscribed temples. In particular, the temple of the Entrances is built of large and small, rough stones with the insertion of bricks and the use of rich plaster. 

The floor of the temple was covered with marble slabs. In fact, on the floor of the central aisle there was the decorative theme of the pentacle. Many construction phases are located in the church and its original form has been altered by occasional interventions.

It is considered possible that the destruction of the iconostasis and its superstructure during the late Byzantine period is due to an earthquake. In the post-Byzantine times, the central aisle was formed into a one-room church with a gabled roof, a form that the church maintains to this day. The narthex and the side aisles are almost in ruins.

The area of ​​the deacon on the south side was formed in linen (press) without knowing when. As for the sculptural members of the two temples, they are decorated mainly with plant and geometric themes, but also with symbols, such as the cross. They are an excellent example of sculpture of the late 10th – early 11th century.

LOUTSA

Byzantine Church of Agia Paraskevi

The church of Agia Paraskevi  is located near the village of Loutsa at an altitude of 270 meters (ie right here ). It is a cross-roofed single-aisled church with external dimensions of 10.5 x 5.5 meters, which to the east ends in a three-sided arch.

It is built of roughly worked stones and fragments of tiles, placed randomly. Later are the four pillars, one on the west and three on the south side of the temple, as well as the supporting arch, inside.

The outer surfaces of the walls are coated. The founding inscription on the north wall of the church is remarkable.

He states that the fresco of the church became “the archpriest of the Most Venerable Kiros Lavrentios and the abbot of the Hieromonk Gerasimos, Hierodeacon Dometius and Savvas …”, but does not provide data for the dating of his painted decoration.

The murals, unfortunately, are not kept in good condition and some forms or even entire representations are difficult to identify. The space of the sanctuary is decorated with usual representations for the specific part of the temple, such as the Virgin Mary with Christ in a medal, with two angels framing it and the iconographic theme of Melismos with the collaborating hierarchs (it is an artistic rendering of the sacrament of Holy Communion ). 

What impresses is the representation of the Second Coming, which extends throughout the western wall of the temple. The painter, whose name we do not know, has compiled a solid iconographic program, which adorns the entire interior of the temple.

He is a skilled artist, who, knowing well the use of color, created a quality ensemble, which can be dated to the first half of the 16th century. 

Until 1833 the church was a catholic of the Monastery of Agia Paraskevi Loutsa, which was dissolved by decree of the Bavarian regent Von Maurer. In recent decades, the Archaeological Service has carried out limited rescue works at the monument.

STENI

Doctor’s Fountain / Mountaineering route

The beautiful Steni is not only famous for its taverns and cafes. 500 meters away from the center of Steni – next to the ravine – is the “doctor’s fountain”  and is covered with a small tiled roof.

It is one of the most frequently visited fountains in Steni. Visitors are thirsty and often take their quality water with them. 

After all, it is worth making the trip to the mountain shelter. You will walk in pines and plane trees, you will pass through the chestnut forest and the view of the shelter will compensate you even more! See the geographical location here .C

KAMPIA

Church of Agia Kyriaki (area of ​​natural beauty)

In the traditional old settlement in Kato Kambia (altitude 270 meters), in a verdant ravine full of plane trees and running water, stands the peculiar church of Agia Kyriaki that is celebrated on July 7 (see the map here ).

This is a rare architectural type of temple, as part of it is part of the rock cave and the rest of the temple is built after cutting the rock.

The sanctuary and the east wall of the temple are part of the cave, while the south side of the rock was demolished and in its place a wall section was built for easier access to the public.

It is clear that due to the architectural peculiarity and the cavernous configuration, the temple does not follow the usual orientation (West to East). Its dating is not clear, but its naming is due to tradition.

According to her, in the caves of the cave, the inhabitants of the area discovered the icon of Agia Kyriaki looking for the lost goat of a young lady  and so they gave her name to the church.

In recent years, a paved floor and a bridge have been built near the cave to cross the ravine, where one can take a walk and see the unique natural beauty.

It is also worth noting that inside the temple one can see the stalactites of the cave.

AGIOS ATHANASIOS

Agalis Gorge – Hiking trail

A few meters above the village of Agios Athanasios, on the outskirts of the mountain range of Dirfi, is the rare beauty gorge of Agali  (see the location on the map here ).

Its riverbeds are overgrown with plane trees and lush vegetation. The trail leads to the refuge of Agali (altitude 930 meters), which is an ideal place for rest and recovery before reaching the summit.

Access to the refuge of Agali is possible by car (from Agios Athanasios to Glyfada – Vythouri Beach – Petali) through a beautiful route with pine and fir forests in a wild and alpine landscape.

In 2007 the small Finnish wooden house was built in order to inform visitors about the geographical and historical elements of the area.

Unfortunately, however, it remained closed from the moment of the completion of its construction and the configuration of the gorge of Agali until 2018, when it started operating as a cafeteria.

Hiking is organized on the paths of the wider area and there is the possibility for overnight (after consultation) with tents in the surrounding area of ​​the shelter. E

KATHENOI

Church of Panagia Monomeritissa –  Eria (area of ​​natural beauty)

Two kilometers west of the village of Kathenon (on the border with Triada) and on the banks of the Messapi River  are Eria . This is an area of ​​exceptional natural beauty with waterfalls and age-old plane trees.

The existence of a section -probably an ancient aqueduct- and the location of tombstones in the nearby location “Alafokampos” indicate habitation in the area since antiquity.

Also, in the area of ​​Eria there is the Byzantine monastery dedicated to the Nine Days of the Virgin, also known as Panagia Monomeritissa (Ypapanti).

The foundation of the monastery dates back to the 11th century or the end of the 12th – beginning of the 13th century, while it was in use until about the middle of the 19th century. Later, it passed into the ownership of Makrimalli Monastery.

Of the monastery complex, only the katholikon is preserved today . It is a temple with a cruciform cruciform with a dome measuring 4.8 x 6.5 meters.

It has a cylindrical dome, which rests on marble half-columns. The monument is built of irregular stones, between which bricks are inserted.

He underwent various interventions from time to time during the period of Latin and Ottoman rule. In contact with its south side, there was a building known as a cell, which was demolished in 1970.

On the same side, there used to be an attached chapel, which communicated with the katholikon through an arched door.

Two layers of frescoes are preserved in the temple. The original can be dated to the Paleolithic period, while the second, according to an inscription, was made in 1637 by Zacharias Drakoulis. The interior of the temple is dark and the frescoes are covered with a thick layer of soot.

However, the figures of Platytera, the Evangelists of the Pantocrator, etc. are recognized, which convince us that the painting decoration of the second phase of the illustration of the church (probably done in the context of the renovation of the church) is a sample of quality post-Byzantine painting.

The monastery is rumored to have been founded by Empress Theodora. Another tradition states that the church is “one-sided”, ie it was built in one day. The Turks gave so much time to the Christians to build their temples.

When the construction was completed, a Turk climbed the dome to demolish it. Reaching the top, however, and before she could touch him, she fell down and was killed.

Another legend states that every year on the day of Ypapantis, a deer appeared in the area, which after drinking water from the river, was sacrificed. They sacrificed it for a year without letting it drink water and since then it has never reappeared.

Also, for the name of the monastery there are various versions, such as that its name is due to the word “areos or aria”, which means rural and wooded area, or that it comes from the hair (“eria”) of sheep grazing in the area . 

ΚΑΤΟΥΝΙΑ

Church of Saint- Giannis Katouniotis 

It is a modern one-room church built in the 20th century and houses the miraculous icon of Agios Ioannis the Forerunner of Katouniotis (located here ).

In recent years, cells have been built in the surrounding area to accommodate the faithful who come with their vows and offerings to the saint.

Pilgrims regularly visit the church throughout the year to worship the icon and receive its blessing. The church celebrates the 29th of August, a date that is reverently honored by the Sharpening of the Holy Head of John the Baptist.

Agios Ioannis Prodromos Katouniotis has always been and is the support of the inhabitants of the area and in every difficulty they invoke him even today.

MAKRYMALLI

Monastery of Panagia Makrymallis

The monastery is located in the village of Makrymalli , 7 km north of Psachna and at an altitude of 290 meters in a pine-covered area (ie right here ).

It is an extensive and spacious monastery complex, which consists of a large courtyard, the monastery’s katholikon, reception areas, areas for the sale of small items, hostels and private living rooms of the monks.

The access to the monastery is through an asphalt road. The katholikon of the monastery is single-aisled (single-aisled) and has a tiled roof, consists of a small pronaos and a sanctuary and is a newer construction on the foundations of a Byzantine church, as indicated by fragments of surviving Byzantine frescoes in the sanctuary.

Inside the church there are hagiographies and a wood-carved throne. In the church are kept the reliquaries of Saints Tryphon, Charalambous, Ignatius, Nikita, the chariot of Saint Martyr Friday and the chariot of Saint Parthenios. 

Although it is unknown when the monastery was founded and flourished, there is evidence that provides chronological data on its history, such as inscriptions and written references to sacred objects dating to 1754 and 1796.

It is probably a post-Byzantine building, which underwent several reconstructions, mainly after the Revolution of 1821 and the destruction from the German occupation in 1944.

During the 17th c. A.D. the monastery acquired large tracts of land from Christian donations. It is worth noting that Thanasis Androutsos, nephew of Odysseus Androutsos, grew up and was nurtured in the monastery, who after his studies was ordained a priest in Kastella.

During the revolution of 1821, the monastery played an active role in the Struggle, with the result that the Ottomans looted it. It was renovated, but dismantled in 1881, when it joined the monastery of Agios Nikolaos Galatakis in Lake Evia.

In 1908 it was radically renovated and reopened. From 1950 it was transformed into a nunnery, while in recent years it became a male nunnery again.

The name “Makrymalli” has been associated with the first abbot of the monastery, the icon of the Virgin, but also with shepherds of the area. The most prevalent version is that of the two brothers shepherds, who found the image of the Virgin Mary with Christ on a rocky hill, where they are said to have seen a flickering light.

This is where a large marble cross is placed today. According to tradition, the two brothers had long hair, from which the monastery was named. 

POLITIKA

Medieval tower 

In the center of Politikon, next to the Church of the Transfiguration of the Savior, rises a well-preserved and recently preserved medieval tower , which is a landmark for the area.

The monument has a square floor plan (6×6 meters) and is structured on four floors. The pre-eminent residence of the feudal lord is formed on the third floor with large windows, a fireplace and a kettle, which in times of peace was used as a toilet.

The main entrance of the tower, which was reached by an external retractable wooden staircase, was on the second floor, while the ground floor was used as storage space.

The current entrance, on the ground floor, was opened in 1973. The aim of the recent restoration work carried out by the Ephorate of Antiquities was to make the monument functional and accessible.

The tower is open to the public and is open to the public in collaboration with the Municipality of Dirfion-Messapia with the assistance of a local cultural association.

Hero Trail / Hiking Trail 

Overlooking the northern Evian gulf, near the gorge of Ladas, there is a path, which today is known as ” The Path of Hero ” (located here ).

In the past it was used by lumberjacks, quarries, resin collectors and shepherds to move to their work areas, while at the same time connecting the village with a quarry.

The “Path of Hero” is special not only for its natural beauty. It is dedicated to the memory of the young Hero who passed away after a relentless fight for her health. Thus, the path was directly linked to human strength and the fight against death.

It is a path full of feelings of courage, strength and hope for the ascension of the human soul. Starting from the small theater north of Perivleptos Monastery, circular ascents-hiking can be done in two routes.

The most demanding is circular, 10 kilometers long and lasting about four hours with a maximum altitude of 460 meters. The second is suitable for families and young children, because it is easier. It reaches Ai-Giorgis by returning from the same road in about three hours.

Every year, on the first Sunday of November, climbers from all over Greece in collaboration with the Iro family and the Mountaineering Association of Chalkida organize a “Ascent of the Soul” honoring her memory.

PSACHNA

Preserved Buildings of Central Square (Municipal Library, Folklore Museum, Cultural Center)

The three preserved mansions in the central square of Psachna are clear examples of the socio-economic position of the families to which they belonged (their exact location here ).

They reflect the cultural production of the region while projecting important elements from the bourgeois organization of society, which experienced significant economic prosperity in the early 20th century.

Let’s get to know them better …

Cultural Center – Mansion of the family of Athanasios Georgios Doudalis (Boudoura)

The family of Athanasios Georgios Doudalis, known by the nickname “Boudouras”, lived in this separate mansion, and today it functions as a cultural center of Psachna . 

Built in 1885, it was imposing, stood out for its volume and copied urban architectural elements. The purity of the geometry was adapted to the data of the surrounding area, without however altering its organizational structure.

It is a two-storey, stone building with many auxiliary spaces. It is characteristic that the loggia was absent, which was an architectural element of the time. On the ground floor there were many spaces, mainly storage.

In the “upstairs” were the main areas of the family, with the living room, rooms, etc. On the north and south side, there was a balcony supported by “forks” (supports). The staircase that is currently on the south side is additional, built for functional reasons, after restoration and restoration works.

Mansion of Georgios Keramidas – Municipal Library of Psachna

George Keramidas was a doctor. The mansion where the family lived is made of stone, built in 1892 and is a two-storey spacious building with a loggia and ondades.

It is not characterized by its size or large spaces. The ground floor was small, where the main storage spaces of the family were located, and in the “upstairs” was the “loggia” (covered plateau) and the “ondades” with the rooms, the “mesantres” (bed linen storage) and the ” daily ”.

Characteristic is the diagonal frontal wooden staircase that led to the “upstairs” and the balcony on its north side. The building was bequeathed to the Municipality of Messapia and since 2006 the Municipal Library of Psachna is housed there .

Mansion of the family of Georgios Fafoutis – Folklore Museum of Psachna

The mansion belonged to the Katsos family, a large landowner of Kastella, and was bought by the Leon family to donate as a dowry to the groom Georgios Fafoutis, who came from Sykamino Oropou.

George Fafoutis was an active and hardworking man. He maintained a tavern in the square and later became active in the trade and production of carbonated beverages. “Fafoutis gas” was very famous at the beginning of the 20th century.

The large family lived in the two-storey stone mansion, built around 1905. It is a large mansion, a great example of local architecture of the time.

The “bottom” was the storage space for the family. The ground floor in “C” layout was large to serve the many needs of the family. In the center there was an “everyday” space with a fireplace and a utility room for secondary uses.

Outside this room, in the courtyard, there were cisterns, where they gathered the grapes from the presses of the area and made tsipouro. The cauldron and the various utensils were oriented towards the side of the building of the mansion Keramidas.

The “anoi” was the official space of the family. It had the “ondades”, the formal living room with the characteristic luxury of its construction, which is evident in the decorated and colorful ceilings of its two spaces, but also of its corridors.

The spaces were adorned with “western” furniture, such as sideboards, shop windows, living room and dining room, characteristic of the economic prosperity and social order of the family.

Today, the mansion of the Fafoutis family houses the Folklore Museum of Psachna , which was inaugurated in 2004. 

Monastery of Agios Ioannis of Kalivitis 

The construction of the monastery of Agios Ioannis of Kalyvitis  (exact location here ) dates back to the early Byzantine years (probably 5th century AD) and must have been built on the ruins of an ancient temple.

There are many architectural sculptures, which are preserved in the area and many others have been used as building materials in second use. 

In 1245 a construction phase took place, which was connected with the hagiography of the church of the monastery. It is not known when the monastery was abandoned and the reasons for its demolition.

The katholikon suffered many destructions, as a result of which not even the marble floor with the colorful marbles in geometric shapes and combinations was saved.

Scattered are preserved entablatures, parts of the shield of the original iconostasis, capitals, decorated with birds and plant compositions.

There are many walled sculptures of the early Byzantine and post-Byzantine period that are preserved in the katholikon of the monastery . From the frescoes of the 13th century, in the present church are preserved only in the part of the eastern part and specifically in the two violations and in the part of the central arch.

In the north alcove, on the north wall, two frontal deacons are identified by their saintly inscriptions. The light-crowned male figure belongs to the deacon Prochoros and next to it is depicted the light-crowned deacon Stefanos the First Martyr with a strict and melancholic style.

Above the figures of the two deacons, in the lower right corner, a small part of a scene that fits the scene of the Transfiguration was revealed during the works.

The iconographic program of the niche of the sanctuary is divided into two zones. In the upper part of the niche is depicted a light-crowned, strict, imposing and majestic, in a position of blessing, the Old Man of Days and in the lower zone the Vision of Peter of Alexandria is represented with two full-length figures facing the center.

Jesus is depicted with teenage features, wearing a short tunic, and Peter, an old man in priestly clothes, both symmetrically rendered. The decoration of the deacon is organized in the quarter of the niche and lower on either side of the window.

In the quarter sphere of the niche, only the lower part of a figure is depicted, which is identified with the angel of the Great Parliament. Lower – to the right and left of the window – are two full-length frontal hierarchs.

On the right, the figure of the light-crowned Saint Sylvester with his hands raised in blessing and on the left a hierarchical figure (unidentified until recently).

The south wall depicts two more fathers whose only trunk survives. The high artistic quality and the special iconography are elements of the monumental painting that are found in the decoration of Agios Ioannis Kalyvitis. 

Characteristics of the compositions are the clarity, the austerity, the archaic mood, the frontal postures of the figures and the originality in their organization and formulation. Of particular interest is the composition of the iconographic program which is original both in its conception and in its organization.

According to tradition, it was repaired by Russian monks during the Turkish occupation in the 18th century. The last major restoration effort took place in the 1920s, as the church of the Monastery in previous years had been ruined and severely damaged and part of it had fallen.

From the old temple part of the sanctuary was preserved and a small part of the temple and the rest was restored. Today the monument takes the form of a small three-aisled basilica. 

Church of the Transfiguration of the Savior

The church of the Transfiguration of the Savior is a brilliant architectural jewel of church construction of the early 20th century. With its imposing size and its special location in the central square of Psachna, it dominates among the buildings (it is right here ).

It was built at the beginning of the 20th century by Sami craftsmen, who had settled in Psachna after the exchanges of populations in 1862 between Turkey and the Greek State.

According to residents, its construction began around 1890 and was completed in 1901. The temple was inaugurated on October 15 of the same year.

In the year 1912 it officially became the second parish of Psachna, as the church of Agios Nikolaos was no longer enough for the number of believers. The architecture of the church faithfully copies the Byzantine rhythm of the inscribed cruciform with a dome and its dimensions are around 9×18 meters.

 The external form of the temple is characteristic, as the shape of the cross that bears the dome is more clearly deleted on the roof and the antennas of the cross are also expressed on the side faces. 

Externally, the masonry is decorative and becomes visible through the ceramic decoration, as the two zones with the serrated decoration can be distinguished, which surround the temple. Also, the overlapping triple glazed windows of the antennas on the west, north and south sides have been rendered with intricate decoration. The east side is adorned with a three-sided arch with skylights along each side.

Characteristic of the exterior are the carved cornerstones, which were built crosswise, in each corner of the temple, enhancing its static. The symbolism of this rhythm is that the square, in which the cross (cross sacrifice – Resurrection) is inscribed, symbolizes the earth and the dome the sky. These two figures symbolize the created and the uncreated, the human and divine nature of Christ.

This is a hard route on good quality roads (except the part within Tseri) with some easy climbs mainly between Tseri and Analiontas, some moderate ones between Analiontas and Kapedes and many hard ones (with my standards) between Kapedes and Machairas Monastery. The roads in most of the route are very quiet. The route starts in Tseri and moves in a southern direction until we pass an army camp after which we turn right (south-west) towards the village of Analiontas. When we reach Analiontas, at the stop sign we go right (west) towards Kampia. When we get to Kampia, at the stop sign, we turn left (south) towards Kapedes. At the entrance of Kapedes there is a roundabout, where we take the 4th exit towards Machairas. From there onwards we just stay on the paved road ascending towards Machairas, passing from 'Mantra tou Kampiou' picnic site, Poullaros peak (~600m), Skordokephalos peak (~700m) and Saint Onoufrios, until we arrive at a crossroad where the monastery is clearly visible on our right (and clearly marked). One can make a right turn and go to the monastery (as i did) or continue towards Kionia peak (the peak straight ahead with the golf ball-looking radar site). The way back is exactly the same (but much easier). The length of the route is ~35 miles.

For more info (including a zoomable map) click:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/213941889

Me at Skordokephalos peak:

'Stavraetos tou Machaira' monument at the peak next to Machairas monastery: 

Stavraetos refers to Grigoris Afxentiou, perhaps the most prominent Greek-Cypriot freedom fighter of EOKA, the organization which took on the fight (1955-59) against the British colonial troops occupying Cyprus at the time (1878-1960). Afxentiou's hiding place was in the area of the monastery; in fact this is where he was burnt alive at the age of 29 (3/3/1957), after many hours of fight, when his position was leaked by a traitor.

Machairas Monastery:

  Kionia peak, as seen from the area of Machairas monastery: