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Karpenisi - Evritania

According to Homer, the first known inhabitants of northern Evritania – Karpenisi, were the Dolopes, who took part in the campaign against Troy. During the Byzantine times, the people of Evritania had the rare privileges of self-government and tax exemption. For this reason the northern part of the district was also called "Agrafa" (unwritten), because the residents were not listed in the Imperial tax registers.

During the Turkish occupation of Greece, this area remained free, especially the very remote areas in the mountains. For this reason, the population of the villages grew. The historic site of Kefalovrisso is known, as on the night of August 8, 1823, General Markos Botsaris was killed by the Turkish army sent by the Sultan to stop the Greek Rebellion. The Greek troops won the battle and, in spite of the great shock from the death of the hero at first, the soldiers were to fight more bravely from then on. The holy monastery of Panagia Proussiotissa, which possesses a miracle-working icon said to have been painted by St. Luke. The monastery's church was built in 1754 and contains remarkable icons, woodcarvings, sacred treasures and silver utensils. There is also a small museum in the monastery containing several personal things of Karaiskakis, general during the Revolution of Independence in 1821.

Monasteries that are built on high rocks, and can be visited by all. The monks are ready to offer their hospitality and blessings to the visitors. The best known, are the monasteries of Prousiotisa and Tatarna. They are preserved as part of Greece’s national, religious, and folklore inheritance.

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