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Grevena

Belonging to ancient Macedonia, this area has seen residents since ancient times. Excavations have found tools and material dating back to about 3000 BC and Thoukidides wrote about the place as well. In recent times, the Grevena area was used as a stepping stone for the war against the Turks, when Theodoros Ziakas drew the line and faced the 15000 strong Turkish army with just 1000 Greeks in the town called Spileo. Built 543 metres above sea level on the banks of the Grevenitis river, a tributary of the Aliakmon.

The Byzantine monastery of the Virgin Evangelistria and the monastery of Ossios Nikanor founded in 1534 not far from the Aliakmon river. The frescoes decorating its main church resemble those in the Varlaam monastery at Meteora and are most probably the works of the same painter, the famous Frangos Kastellanos.

Spileo, ancient ruins, walls and funeral areas as well as Byzantine monasteries adorn this village.

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