Overview Of Karpenissi Evytania
Being one of the most important high lights of Mountainous Greece Karpenisi is not just a classical destination of wintry tourism but a travelling proposal that can fascinate everyone. You can enjoy all kinds of alternative tourism like skiing in the ski centre of Velouchi rafting kayak walking climbing and riding. Stay in ski resorts traditional guest houses and small luxury hotels. Karpenisi the capital city of the prefecture of Evrytania is considered to be one of the healthier resorts in Greece.
The wooded mountains the picturesque hamlets and the ski centre attract thousands of visitors. The dry and healthy climate platans oaks and firs make Karpenisi the ideal place for wintry but also aestival vacations. You have to drink of the crystal water that flows from the natural springs in the villages of the prefecture. In 12 Km. distance is found the ski centre of Velouchi where the visitor will enjoy the ski in the organised ski centre which allocates seven lifts twelve ski runs and ski learning lessons. The prefecture of Evrytania with the variety of natural environment is offered for walk in beautiful forestal paths rafting in the rivers such as Acheloos Agrafiotis Megdovas Trikeriotis Karpenisiotis and Krikelopotamos kayak crossing of gorges but also tours with mountain bike or 4X4 jeeps in the enchanting mountains of Timfristos Agrafa Chelidona and Kaliakouda.
Visit:
The natural monument of “Pantavrechi” a gorge of inconceivable natural beauty and the shelter of Mount Kaliakouda.Walk in the forest up to the Black Cave admiring the wild nature.
Visit the Monastery of Panaghia Proussiotissa and see “the steps of Panaghia” and visit also the Monastery of Tatarna.
The heart of the city beats in the marble paved square with the statue of the hero Markos Mpotsaris and the famous agelong platan. Even if the city during the past has suffered a lot of destructions the cathedral temple of Saint Trinity has survived. It is an impressive monument visible from each point of city.
Aghios Nikolaos It abstains 9 kilometres from Karpenisi and it is found built amphitheatrically on Mount Neraidovouni among platans walnuts and firs. The beans and the chestnuts of the region are very famous while the village has very good tourist infrastructure with modern guest houses and traditional taverns. The beautiful localities are Platanias Palialona and the church of Aghia Paraskevi that is found in dense fir forest.
Gorgianades
The settlement is built amphitheatrically in dense fir forest and abstains hardly 4 km from Karpenisi on the way to Proussos. The houses are old stonebuilt mainly twostored with tiles which are restored and renovated. In the sights of Gorgianades is included the little church of Virgin Mary of Mesampelia remnant of the homonym monastery that was destroyed in 1821. Opposite to the area of Mesampelia there is park of outdoor activities where you can have riding archery rappel in especially shaped installations or simply enjoy your coffee in a beautiful natural environment.
Voutiro
Voutiro is a wellpreserved hamlet with beautiful stone houses and exceptional view particularly from Aghios Ioannis that is found in the top of a hill. Visit the glorious Byzantine rhythm church of Aghia Paraskevi.
Koryschades
Koryschades is a traditional settlement with a lot of old mansions surrounded by firs. In harmony with the saved mansions the modern buildings maintain the traditional character of the village that provides appreciable tourist organisation and infrastructure. The visitors of the village admire the natural beauty: Wooded Mountains and dense fir forests streams with platans and nightingales. Wellknown however it is also the village for its history after here it took place on 14th May 1944 the “National Council of Free Greece” in the historical School. The school which was built in 1901 functions now as Museum of National Resistance.
Klafsi
It abstains 9 km from Karpenisi. The name of village meaning “tears” emanated from the teardrops that were poured by the residents that had probably remained after the terrible destruction from Galls of Vrenos in 279 BC. An important mosaic flooring of church dedicated to Saint Leonidis built at the 5th century is found near bank of Karpenisiotis River.
Mikro Chorio Small Village
It is built 5 kilometres far from the old village after the landslip of the mountain in November 1962. In the square of the Old Mikro Chorio you can get refreshed by the cold water of the springs. The old Mikro Chorio continues having his church as well as many beautiful rented rooms.
Megalo Chorio Big Village
It is the village that with its natural goods you offers you moments of rest in its green rich embrace. It has a lot of picturesque streets and presents intense tourist movement. In Megalo Chorio there are many taverns and shops in the settlement of Gavros with pure local products. Picturesque cottages maintain their traditional architecture. An old custom that is maintained up to nowadays is that of “Kalimerades”. Young men begin the evening of eve of the Twelfth Day singing carols while the landlords offer them to drink raki kourampiedes and money.
Gavros
In this village live 40 residents and abstain 13 km from Karpenisi. In the past the pilgrims that were going on foot to the monastery of Proussos used to stop for rest here. Today is ideal for staying in the modern rented rooms and for having lunch in the picturesque taverns serving local pies trout and many more. It is worth visiting the village on 23rd of August in the feast of Virgin Mary of Proussos where festivities take place.
Krikello
It abstains 31 kilometres from Karpenisi. The village is situated in preferential place among dense forests of agelong firs seldom aromatic plants and shady platans that are next to the banks of Krikellopotamos River. Maintaining the tradition and the glamour with beautifully old stone houses with stone roofs Krikello has an important tourist infrastructure and its big square is surrounded by traditional shops.
Best Tourist Guide Karpenissi Evrytania. Useful information attractions history accommodation Karpenissi hotels Karpenissi food and fun.
About the Author: Hello! My name is Nikolaos Giannis i live and work in Athens Greece and I’m aWeb Designer with extensive experience in Marketing.
Oslo: Vigeland Sculpture Park
Heres the rub: Its a beautiful day in Oslo summer preferably and you want to be outdoors in the fresh and sunlit air perhaps have a picnic on the grass stroll and enjoy the sights. But you also want some culture a bit of art yet not be cooped up in a museum on such a glorious day. Where do you go? The Vigeland Sculpture Park part of the Frogner Park located in Oslo is one of the most popular and visually compelling places to visit in Norways capital.
Three kilometers northwest of the Oslo city center the park covers 80 acres and features 212 bronze and granite sculptures by Gustav Berg. Each figure was personally sculpted out of clay by Vigeland and individual craftsmen were contracted to fabricate the pieces into what visitors see today. These works of art reside along an 850 meterlong axis divided into six sections: The Main Gate The Bridge The Childrens Playground The Fountain The Monolith Plateau and The Wheel of Life.
The Main Gate is made of forged granite and wrought iron and serves as an entrance to the park itself. It consists of five large gates two small pedestrian gates and two copperroofed gate houses both adorned with weathervanes. Financed by a Norwegian bank The Main Gate was erected in 1926. Walking along the 328 feet long 49 feet wide Bridge you will encounter 58 of the parks sculptures. The Bridge serves as a connection between the Main Gate and the Fountain. All of the sculptures are bronzeclad and contribute to the Human Condition theme of the park. One of the Oslo Parks more popular statues Sinnataggen or The Little Angry Boy. This was the first part of the park to be opened to the public in 1940. While most of the Oslo Park was still under construction visitors could enjoy these sculptures.
Next one arrives at the Childrens Playground located at the end of the bridge. This is a collection of eight bronze statues all representing children at play. In the center mounted on a granite column is a representation of a fetus. One cannot say that there is no attention to truth.After the Childrens Playground is the Fountain fabricated from bronze and adorned with 60 individual bronze reliefs. It portrays children and skeletons in the arms of giant trees symbolizing new life emerging from death. It took Vigeland from 1906 to 1947 to establish this monument in Oslo.
Finally you arrive at the Monolith Plateau and the Monolith. The Monolith Plateau is a platform made of stairs housing the Monolith totem itself. Thirtysix figure groups reside on the elevation carrying with them the circle of life message. Eight figural gates forged in wrought iron give access to the Plateau. They were designed in Oslo between 1933 and 1937 and erected shortly after Vigeland died in 1943.
The Monolith Monolitten is unquestionably the most popular attraction in the park. As the name suggests the work is created from one solid piece of stone. This massive work was begun in 1924 when Vigeland himself modeled the monument out of clay in his Frogner studio. The design process took ten months. Then the model was cast in plaster. In 1927 a block of granite weighing several hundred tons was delivered to the Oslo park from a stone quarry in Halden and was erected the following year protected against the elements by a wooden shed. It took 14 years and three stone carvers beginning in 1929 to transfer the figures. The Monolith towers 46.32 feet high and comprises 121 human figures rising heavenward. This is meant to symbolize mans desire to become closer to the spiritual and the divine. The tightly embraced nude figures convey a feeling of togetherness as they all make their way to salvation.
At the end of the parks 850meterlong axis is a sundial forged in 1930. This is followed the Wheel of Life completed between 193334. It is essentially a wreath depicting four people and a baby floating in harmony. It symbolizes eternity and suggests the Oslo parks overall theme which is mans journey from cradle to grave.
Marvelous and powerful as these works are not everyone has appreciated the sculptures. In March 2007 this park in Oslo was defaced when an anonymous person or persons affixed black strips of paper to every exposed nipple crotch and posterior on the parks sculptures. As always there is no accounting for taste.
For more information on Oslo visithttp://www.blogoslo.comandhttp://www.oslomicroblog.com.
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NOLA Mardi Gras History: Mardi Gras MarchingWalking Clubs
Rex King of Carnival rides on a yacht and a float. Zulu the King also rides a float and has arrived for Carnival in the past on a barge on the New Basin Canal. The “Super Krewes” ride huge double and triplesection floats with the finest in artwork and stateoftheart fiber optic lighting.
Jefferson City Buzzards art poster Photo Credit: jeffersoncitybuzzards.com
Then on the other hand some folks just like to walk on Carnival Day.
Jefferson City Buzzards walking down St. Charles Avenue Mardi Gras Day 1925. Photo Credit: Franck photo HNOC
The marching clubs got their start in the neighborhoods of Uptown New Orleans. Men watched the “elites” of the parading krewes of the late 19th Century and wanted to be a formal part of Fat Tuesday activities. In 1890 men from the Jefferson City section of uptown formed the “Jefferson City Buzzards.” The group ambled through the back streets of uptown eventually making their way to St. Charles Avenue to entertain the crowds waiting for Rex and his krewe.
“The Reign of Ali Bey” marching club on St. Charles Avenue 1924. Photo Credit: Mendes photo HNOC
The marching clubs don’t usually have an annual theme. Many of the men wear a costume for several years. The clubs hire brass bands to accompany them as they dance down the street. The brass band marching with the “Reign of Ali Bey” in 1925 is visible above. Notice the streetcars along St. Charles Avenue even though the Carnival crowds are out in full force. Nowadays NORTA only operates the St. Charles line along S. Carrollton Avenue then to St. Charles and Napoleon.
Jefferson City Buzzards Hall on Annunciation Street. Photo Credit: Wikimedia commons
The marching clubs expanded and grew into something more than just a Carnival gathering. The Buzzards built this hall on Annunciation Street as a yearround headquarters. More clubs formed over the years the Corner Club founded in 1918 and the Lyons 1946 still march honoring the memories of clubs such as the Delachaise and ZigZag. In more recent years other clubs have organized most notably Mondo Kayo in 1996.
Poster commemerating Pete Fountain’s Half Fast Walking Club. Photo Credit: petefountainmusic.blogspot.com
The bestknown of the marching clubs is Pete Fountain’s “HalfFast Walking Club.” Formed in 1961 and led by worldrenown jazz clarinetist Pete Fountain the club was originally called “HalfAssed.” The name was almost immediately changed to its current form but the joke remains. Fountain and his friend have always maintained they are a “walking” rather than a “marching” club because they’ve never really been able to march.
The HalfFast Walking Club starts their Fat Tuesday morning at Commander’s Palace restaurant on Washington Avenue in the Garden District. They head out from Commander’s making their way to St. Charles Avenue then Canal Street and into the Quarter and Bourbon Street. The club used to wind up at Fountain’s night club at the Hilton Hotel but Pete no longer plays there. In addition to the long strands of beads and paper flowers handed out by most marching clubs the HalfFasters also throw their signature coppercolored doubloons. Pete and his friends also usually have a common theme and matching costumes.
Turnbull Doubloon from Metairie. Photo Credit:Wikimedia Commons
Just as Carnival parades made their way to the suburbs so did the marching clubs. The Turnbull Social and Carnival Club was founded at a Metairie watering hole on Turnbull Drive near the old 1960s70s Metairie Road parade route. The Turnbulls marched just before the Krewe of Zeus the first and oldest of the Metairie krewes. The Metairie marching clubs now focus on the suburb’s St. Patrick’s and St. Joseph’s Day celebrations.
TAFLUMA Marching Club Fat City 1979.
In the late 1970s and early 1980s the author was privileged to be a member of the TAFLUMA Marching Club. The core membership of the club was a group of fraternity brothers from the University of New Orleans chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha. TAFLUMA was unable to get a permit to parade independently in either the city or Jefferson Parish so the club attached itself to the Krewe of Pegasus as a marching unit in that parade. In addition to the formal march with Pegasus the club did a costumed pub crawl through “Fat City.
The 610 Stompers marching in the Krewe of Carrllton parade 2011.
As city and parish government moved to consolidate parade routes and activities in the late 1980s many marching clubs took the simpler route of affiliating with parade krewes. The krewes pay for marching units to accompany them which helps the marching clubs financially. Some parading organizations such as the Krewe d’Etat have their own marching groups while others hire groups such as the “610 Stompers” photo above. The combination of the independentmarching clubs as well as those who march with parades ensures that the tradition started with the Buzzards will continue into the future.
About the Author: A former high school History teacher who now does computer training and social media consulting Yatmedia.com Edward is a graduate of Brother Martin High School and the University of New Orleans. Working with computers has never diminished his passion for all things New Orleans.