Katharovouni, Aitoloakarnania

Katharovouni (Καθαροβούνι) Aitoloakarnania

Katharovouni is a semi-mountainous village in Etoloakarnania at an altitude of 271 meters [1], which is located on the northern border with the Regional Unit of Arta. It is 40.5 km north of Amfilochia and 19 km SE. from Arta. It is officially reported in 1928 that it belongs to the then community of Floriada [2] under the name Kaparovouni. Most likely the place name is of Latin origin from the entry Capo which means hill or the producer of Cappara which describes transactions with the method of advance payment. The village is absent from all subsequent censuses until 1971, which is the first time we have come across its current name. In the 1971 census, Katharovouni reached its peak as it had a population of 150. According to the Kallikratis plan, together with other settlements, they constitute the Local Community of Floriada, which belongs to the Municipal Unit of Menidi of the Municipality of Amfilochia and according to the 2011 census has a population of 64 inhabitants [4].

It is built at the northwestern tip of the former Valtos Province, south of the first borders of the Greek State from the Amvrakikos Gulf to the Pagasitic Gulf, as defined by the Calendar Kiosk Treaty in 1832. So we could say that it is one of the first Akritic villages. Greece, as for more than fifty years, it was on the border between Greece and the Ottoman Empire. The border was defined by the Florida River, which to this day reflects the boundaries between the Arta Regional Unit and the Etoloakarnania Regional Unit.

Katharovouni in the east "hosts" semi-mountainous volumes that prevent visual contact with the rest of the Baltic territory. But this is "compensated" in the west as there is perfect visibility of the Amvrakikos Gulf.

To the southwest of the village is the location "Ethnika", another proof of the separation of the two nations and the borders that were in the area.

History

Author Dimitrios F. Karatzenis makes a brief reference to Katharovouni describing the location of a clash between Gogos Bakolas' men and Ismail's army. ... "This he did, either because he perceived a sufficient concentration of troops in the direction of" Paliokoulia ", or because the march to there, Sykoulan, was a ploy, or an end, because this road was the most accessible, which He had to follow a regular army. The straight path from Kompoti to Agia Paraskevi and Lagadan, through the "Katharovouni" position, was narrow and irregular and did not facilitate the movements of his army. "[5]

In the village there is a place called "Tambouria", which testifies to the conduct of a battle or the fortification of a army there. However, there are no historical sources for a specific war event there.

Katharovouni has traditionally been a wintering place for the residents of the eastern part of Floriada. Residents of Palea Floriada and Liaskovo chose to spend the cold months in Katharovouni as the village has a dry climate with plenty of sunshine. [6] The direction in which the settlement is built allows it to receive sunlight for many hours every day.
Sights-Signs of interest
Stone path "Three Trees"

This historic monument is a living connection to the past. It connects the provincial road Kompotiou-Patiopoulou with the iconostasis of Agios Nikolaos. It is precarious to set its date of origin. It is a given from testimonies that the route was marked as early as the 17th century as it served the communication and trade between Arta and the Mountain Swamp. Some reports even speak of the 15th century when St. Theodora, Queen of Arta, crossed this route to visit Mount Kalana where Saint Andreas the Hermit fell asleep.

According to testimonies, King Otto used the same path in 1836, when he visited Florida to seduce the Baltics in a revolt against the Bavarian authority. [5]

The paving is also unknown when it was built. It is likely that more than one was carried out with the latest intervention taking place in the middle of the last century. The stones were placed with a "wedge" to prevent the horses from sinking in the mud.

Today a small part of the paving has been saved while the path has an excellent view of the village and the sea. Its length is about 400 meters and then it is connected to the other villages.

Kiosk Observatory

The kiosk is a destination for all those who want to enjoy the magnificent view of the village. It is built with carved stone and has a wonderful shade with benches for relaxation. From here one can see Fotino in the north and the city of Arta in the northwest. To the west lies the plain of Arta, while in the background there is the Amvrakikos Gulf, Preveza and Aktio. A little further southwest we see the Lighthouse of Kopraina and Lefkada emerges on the horizon. In the south, Makrynoros dominates, while Mount Perganti is deep.
Church of Agios Kosmas of Etolos

The church was completed in the early 2000s and is dedicated to Saint Cosmas of Aetolia. It is located on one of the hills of the village and is of octagonal rhythm, the only one with a dome in the Local Community of Floriada. It is one of the ornaments of Katharovouni that welcomes the visitor to the western entrance of the village.
Daphnia forest

The forest occupies an area of ​​635 acres and occupies the northern uninhabited part of the village. It consists of arias, arbutus, holly, elm, plane trees, heather, myrtles and more. It hosts a large part of the local fauna such as deer, wild boars, squirrel foxes, various species of reptiles and amphibians and many species of birds such as blackbirds, hawks, jackals, bee-eaters and others.
Outdoor basketball court

The basketball court is located in the center of the settlement and has a basketball court and a concrete floor. There the athletes have the opportunity to indulge in their favorite sport while the younger ones have the opportunity to have fun in the playground located in the same place.
External links

Florida Valtou from the website http://www.valtosprovince.com

References

Encyclopedia Nea Domi. Tegopoulos - Maniateas. 1996. p. 222, vol. 15.
"EETAA-Hellenic Society of Local Development and Local Government SA". www.eetaa.gr. Retrieved on August 6, 2019.
Krampi, Giannis (2015). Floriada and its place names. Athens: Open Line. p. 46.
"Government Gazette of UNITED Population Results", p. 10716 (p. 242 of pdf)
F. Karatzenis, Dimitrios (1978). GOGOS BAKOLAS. Ioannina: Continental Studies Company. pp. 23, 24, 25.
Kalambokis, Thomas P. (2008). FLORIADA, A chronicle in time. Athens: KALAMPOKIS. pp. 17, 78. ISBN 978960930564-8.

Municipal unit Menidi
Community Menidi
Elaiochori (Ελαιοχώρι, το)
Theriakisi (Θεριακήσιο, το)
Katsouli (Κατσούλι, το)
Lagkada (Λαγκάδα, η)
Menidi (Μενίδι, το)
Sykoula (Συκούλα, η)
Community Floriada
Elaiofyto (Ελαιόφυτον, το)
Katharovouni (Καθαροβούνι, το)
Kastriotissa (Καστριώτισσα, η)
Palaia Floriada (Παλαιά Φλωριάδα, η)
Palaiokastro (Παλαιόκαστρον, το)
Floriada (Φλωριάδα, η)
Chrysopigi (Χρυσοπηγή, η)
Chrysorrachi (Χρυσορράχη, η)

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