Kouklesi is a traditional village in Epirus, in the prefecture of Ioannina, on the border with the prefecture of Preveza. It lies south of the city of Ioannina and comprises the old settlement of Kouklesi and the newer settlement of Kato Kouklesi or Potamia, formerly known as ‘Keli’. Today, the community’s administrative centre is in Kato Kouklési, which is also the largest settlement.
Old Kouklesi is built on a small plateau, on the outskirts of Mount Kouklesi and Mount Morizios, to the east and below the southern ridge of Olytsika (Tomarou). The houses and neighbourhoods are scattered across natural clearings, root-covered ground and gentle slopes, forming an authentic mountain settlement in perfect harmony with the natural landscape.
Surrounding the old village centre are historical and religious sites, such as Agios Nikolaos (an old monastery), the wells and dry-stone walls, which bear witness to the region’s traditional agricultural and pastoral character.
During the interwar period, and particularly after the Second World War, the scattered old settlement began to concentrate in more accessible areas. During the same period, the development of Kato Kouklisi began, near the main road and the River Louros. Despite these shifts, small hamlets such as ‘Kiafa’, ‘Toka’ and the remote ‘Sto Vouno’ are still inhabited today, keeping the memory of the old village alive.
Kato Kouklesi is situated on the right bank of the Louros River, at the foot of Mount Kouklesi and next to the Ioannina–Arta main road. Most of the houses are clustered around the old inn and the church of Saint Sozon, whilst the settlement has also expanded towards the eastern side of the valley, near the river.
The village is situated at the bottom of a striking ravine between Olytsika (to the west) and Xirovouni (to the east). Imposing cliffs rise above the Kleisoura tunnel, lending the area a strong sense of natural and geological interest. The gorge is identified with the ancient Haradros, where a town of the same name once stood in antiquity.
Kouklesi borders:
• to the north with Mousiotitsa and
Terovo
• to the south with Kleisoura and Voulista Panagia
• to the east with Pente Pigadia
• to the west with the Olytsika
mountain range The distance from Ioannina is approximately 38 kilometres.
The altitude of Old Kouklésio reaches 650 metres, whilst that of Potamía is 120 metres.
The total area of the community is approximately 17 square kilometres, characterised by mountainous terrain, extensive pastures, wooded areas and limited arable land. Today, construction and agricultural activity is concentrated mainly in the Potamia area, with crops, vegetable gardens, orchards and fruit trees.
The church of Agios Nikolaos is the oldest building in Kouklesi and one of the most important historical and religious monuments in the area. According to the date carved in stone on the lintel of the sanctuary (the niche of Ai-Dimos), the church was built around 1806, placing its construction in the early 19th century.
Oral tradition links Saint Nicholas with the era of Ali Pasha of Tepelen. The craftsmen from Kouklia are said to have worked on the construction of the castle and the baths in Ioannina. When they asked for permission to return to the village to repair their church, Ali allowed them to leave, but kept a close watch on them.
When he learnt that the master builders had begun rebuilding the church in Kouklesi, he sent one of his men to ask whether a church was indeed being built. The builders replied in the affirmative, but they never returned to Ioannina. Thus, the Church of Saint Nicholas was completed and remained in the village as a symbol of faith, freedom and collective memory.
The church is built on a low plateau, on the western side of the old settlement, at a point slightly higher than the valley and close to the old wells. The area was once densely wooded, with oaks, elms, holm oaks and other trees. To the north lay the cells and buildings of the old monastery.
From the present-day village centre, Agios Nikolaos appears to be almost ‘glued’ to the rocky slope of Olytsika, blending seamlessly into the landscape.
Agios Nikolaos is a simple basilica with a dome in the main church.
The roof of the main church and the sanctuary is supported by a dome and covered with slabs (slate). The narthex, beneath the same roof, has no vault but a wooden framework made from local timber, designed to support the weight of the stone cladding.
On the south side lies the old loggia, with rectangular masonry columns and low archways. The alterations carried out over the years have not altered the form of the church.
The exterior of the sanctuary’s niche is adorned with seven blind arches. The central one houses the sanctuary’s skylight, whilst the date of construction is visible at the top of the stone. The windows are small and narrow, whilst the doors are low and arched. The floor is paved with coarse slabs, as it remains to this day.
All construction materials originate exclusively from the local area:
• Stone, corner blocks, and lintels from local rock formations
• Roofing slate from the area known as Groppa
• The characteristic red stone from the location Drouskala
• Lime produced in the village’s traditional lime kilns
• Timber from oak, elm, and holm oak trees
The careful selection of these materials reflects the knowledge, self-sufficiency, and high level of craftsmanship of the local builders.
Above the western doorway of the main church, the inscription commemorating the iconography is still preserved. The church was decorated with icons in February 1849 by the brothers Ioannis, Nikolaos and Matthaios, icon painters from Chionades in the district of Agios Vellas.
At that time, the village fell under the jurisdiction of the Metropolis of Ioannina, with Ioannikios as its bishop.
The iconostasis is regarded as a remarkable work of Byzantine art. Its construction is attributed to a donation by Euthymios (Thymios) Zikos of Zorista, son of the renowned Zikos Michos. Although the exact year of the donation is unknown, it is thought to have taken place after 1849 and before 1854.
The woodcarver responsible for the iconostasis remains unknown, as was often the case at that time.
The monastery of Saint Nicholas was inextricably linked to the church. There are no written sources regarding its foundation, but oral tradition speaks of a period of great prosperity, numerous water-related structures and economic activity.
The buildings (cells, sheepfolds) were situated to the south of the church, on the same hillside, separated by a dry stone wall that is still visible. The old school was a monastic building and formed part of the ‘Ai-Nikolas’ complex.
During the War of Liberation of 1912–1913, the school was completely destroyed and the church was looted but not burnt. The Ecclesiastical Committee recorded the damage and submitted a report to the Metropolis of Ioannina on 1 May 1913.
The total damage was estimated at 5,660 drachmas, revealing the wealth and significance of the church and the monastery to the region.
The Church of Saint Nicholas in Kouklésio is not merely an old church. It is a living testament to the faith, art and history of the village, intertwined with the landscape and the collective memory of the local people.
From the very early stages of scientific research, it was established that Peristeri Cave contains horizontal chambers, as well as other speleological finds of particular scientific value. The Kouklésio Cave is situated within the same geological formation as the Achelous region, a fact which makes it all the more significant and warrants special attention and study.
A significant finding to emerge from the initial research carried out by the speleologist Antonis Bartzokas is that Peristeri Cave likely consists of a series of chambers, some small and others larger, which descend gradually towards the base of the ravine, in the Platanakia area and in the lowest part of the gorge.
Both the cave researcher and the local community recognise the importance of continuing the research. Efforts are being made to secure the necessary funding and to collaborate with public and scientific bodies, so as to enable the systematic and safe exploration of the cave.
There is an optimistic expectation that Peristeri Cave will be explored more thoroughly in the near future and recognised as a site of particular scientific value, capable of ranking amongst the most significant explored and documented caves in Greece.
The small church of Agios Sozontas, situated in Kato Kouklesi (Potamia), is considered one of the earliest buildings in the settlement and is closely linked to the earliest phase of habitation in the area.
It is built on slightly elevated ground near the gorge and close to the river. The surrounding landscape is rugged, featuring rocky outcrops, olive trees and natural slopes that allow the church to blend harmoniously into its surroundings.
The church is small in size and construction, reflecting the needs and capabilities of the local community during the early years of its existence. According to tradition, it originally served as a place of worship for the first inhabitants who settled in the lower part of the village.
Architecturally, Agios Sozontas is simple and unadorned. Over time, repairs and minor alterations were carried out to preserve the building without altering its original character.
The church remains an important landmark for Kato Kouklisi and a symbol of the village’s early settlement, its religious life and its connection with the surrounding environment.
The site on which the church of Saint Sozon was built was not chosen at random. Its construction at this specific spot also served a practical purpose, as it marked the eastern boundary of the village, towards Terovo and the Kleisoura area.
According to local tradition in Kouklesi, Saint Sozontas once lived on Mount Xirovouni as a shepherd. The Turks arrested him and tried to force him to convert to Islam, but he refused to renounce his faith. They eventually killed him, and the Christian community honoured him as a saint.
Whilst working as a shepherd, Saint Sozontas would send his sheep to graze on Mount Olytsikas. For this reason, churches dedicated to Saint Sozontas can be found both in Kouklesi and higher up on Mount Xirovouni, near the upper settlement.
This is what local oral tradition recounts. However, according to the brief hagiography preserved in the church, Saint Sozontas was a Christian martyr from Lycaonia, who suffered a martyr’s death during the reign of Emperor Maximian. His secular name was Tarasios. He cut off the arm of a golden statue of Artemis in Cilicia, broke it into pieces and distributed them to the poor. For this act, he was arrested and his bones were broken. The Orthodox Church honours him on 7 September.
During the Greek War of Independence (1912–1913), the Church of Saint Sozon in Kouklesi possessed significant ecclesiastical property. This is documented in an official report submitted by the Ecclesiastical Committee to the Metropolis of Ioannina on 1 May 1913.
The losses reported included:
- Sacred vessels valued at 50 drachmas
- Vestments valued at 60 drachmas
- 5 icons valued at 110 drachmas
- A censer valued at 10 drachmas
- 21 ecclesiastical books valued at 150 drachmas
- 10 okas of candles valued at 100 drachmas
- 350 olive trees valued at 3,500 drachmas
- An altar cloth valued at 30 drachmas
The total estimated loss amounted to 4,010 drachmas, underlining the importance and prosperity of the church at that time.
There was also a cemetery in the area, which appears to have been used during the early period of the settlement. According to local elders, those who could not be transported to the upper village were buried here.
Today, Agios Sozontas maintains around 300 olive trees as church property. In the past, there were more than 500, but during the Second World War, the grove suffered significant losses.
During the conflicts of the 20th century, many military transport vehicles stationed near the old chapel were destroyed.
In the early 1990s, a new church dedicated to Saint Sozon was built next to the old chapel of Saint Sozon, with financial contributions from local residents. The new church is larger and more accessible, although the construction work has not yet been completed.
The old church of Saint Nicholas, however, has suffered significant structural damage over time. It has developed serious cracks and is in danger of collapsing due to a split at the base of its dome. For this reason, supporting buttresses are required to preserve the village’s oldest monument. The residents of Kouklési continue to make efforts in this direction.
In Agios Sozontas, a small annual festival was traditionally held every 7 September, particularly during the interwar period.
During one of these festivals, a tragic incident occurred — an accidental shooting. According to local accounts, the victim was a man named Christakis, who was fatally wounded by a gunshot, reportedly fired by Giorgos Tasis or possibly someone else. Following this incident, the festival gradually came to a halt.
At Easter, the traditional ‘Kaggelari’ dance, accompanied by songs, took place outside the courtyard of St Nicholas, in a small open space (farmland) below the church and near the tall plane trees.
In the same area, traditional Easter games were also played, such as Vathis, Geraki, Touras, Mavro Gaidaro and Papadia, thereby preserving elements of local folk culture and community life.
The chapel of Ai-Lias is situated on the mountain above the village. Every year, on 20 July, the feast day of Prophet Elias, the village holds its traditional festival.
In the past, once the Divine Liturgy had finished, dancing would take place in the chapel grounds, whilst in the evening the main festival took place in the central part of the village, attended by residents and visitors from the surrounding villages. The festival continues to this day, in both the upper and lower parts of the village.
It is worth noting that the patron saint of Kouklésio is Saint Nicholas; however, Ai-Lias remains inextricably linked to the local folk traditions and festive life of the area.
The Chapel of St George holds a service every year on St George’s Day.
In the past, after the Divine Liturgy, there would be a blessing of the waters and dancing in the chapel’s courtyard, keeping alive the custom of the spring gathering of the locals.
From there, on a clear day, you can even see Preveza and Lefkada
.
The Tsausas Crater is situated next to Ailias, on the mountain, as you climb towards Papadates. According to the older generation, it was created by an aeroplane bomb and was later used by the locals as a hiding place to protect themselves from German attacks. It is, therefore, a site of historical significance for the area.
Kouklesi boasts a unique natural beauty that is every bit as good as that of more heavily promoted destinations. There is a network of dirt tracks stretching over 30 kilometres, allowing every visitor to explore the landscape on foot. From time to time, mountaineering clubs have visited the area and have been impressed by its unspoilt natural beauty. There are beautiful footpaths, natural springs and trails that start at the Louros River and extend as far as the Trypa tis Tsausas. It is an ideal landscape for walking and exploring, full of unspoilt, pristine nature.
Near the village of Agios Georgios, at a distance of about 14 kilometers, you will find the Roman aqueduct and the entrance of Kokkinopylos. In the Municipality of Ziros, near Philippiada, there is Lake Ziros at a distance of 20 kilometers, and at the sources of Louros you will find Lake Viros at a distance of 11 kilometers. Before reaching Ioannina, at a distance of 30 kilometers, you will find the Vrellis Museum, while about 15 kilometers from Kouklesi there is the War Museum.
Thanks to its excellent state of preservation over the centuries, Ancient Nicopolis now offers visitors the chance to admire Roman architecture and urban planning at close quarters. However, the monument that continues to impress most is its Roman aqueduct.
This is a remarkable engineering feat of antiquity, based on an extensive network approximately 50 kilometres long, through which the springs of the Louros River were harnessed. Thanks to this, the water supply needs of a large city – estimated to have had a population of up to 150,000 – were met.
Nicopolis was founded in 31 BC by Octavian Augustus as a symbol of his victory at the Battle of Actium against Mark Antony and Cleopatra. It subsequently developed into an important administrative and political centre, playing a decisive role in the Romanisation and control of western Greece.
Although the aqueduct may have been begun during the reign of Augustus, more recent studies date its completion to the 2nd century AD, during the reign of Emperor Hadrian. The project combined elevated arched structures, ground-level aqueducts and tunnels carved into the hills of Kokkinopylos, bridging a height difference of approximately 80 metres.
The remains of the aqueduct are still visible at various points throughout the wider area, offering a unique insight into Roman engineering expertise. We know that maintenance work was carried out around 350 AD, whilst the aqueduct appears to have been abandoned following the devastating raids of the 6th century.
Ancient Nicopolis is situated 8 kilometres north of Preveza, on the peninsula between the Ambracian Gulf and the Ionian Sea, with easy access from the Preveza–Ioannina.
Sections of the aqueduct can be visited at various points along its route, such as at Archangelos, Stefani, Skala Lourou, as well as near the Lourou springs, in the present-day village of Agios Georgios, a few kilometres north of Filippiada.
Kokkinopilos is a unique geological, natural and archaeological phenomenon on the Balkan Peninsula. Clay, nature and time have combined to create a veritable ‘miniature miracle’ in the heart of the Preveza Regional Unit.
It is a striking cluster of hills within the administrative boundaries of the Municipality of Ziros, creating an almost lunar and otherworldly scene. Anyone who walks on this terrain and wanders amongst the hills experiences a landscape unlike anything else in the region.
Researchers believe that the phenomenon dates back as far as prehistoric times. Visitors find themselves ‘lost’ amongst red-coloured hillocks and ravines, in a characteristic ‘red earth’ (terra rossa), as Spanish travellers called it.
It is a landscape where Kafka’s phrase ‘whoever retains the ability to see beauty never grows old’ seems to hold true to the letter.
Of particular significance are the archaeological finds from the Palaeolithic and Bronze Ages, which have been uncovered at the site of Asprochaliko, very close to Kokkinopilo, confirming the long-standing human presence in the area.
Kokkinopilos can be reached from two directions:
1. From the Preveza–Ioannina
A-road: Park near the village of Agios Georgios and walk about 500 metres until you reach the hills.
2. From the Limni Zirou–Rizovouni–Stefani
district road: Leave your car at the signpost ‘towards Kokkinopilo’ and follow a walking trail through the forest, approximately 1.5 km long, which leads directly to the Kokkinopilo landscape.
Lake Zirou, also known as Lake Ziros, is situated in the east of the Preveza Prefecture and is a true natural monument, whose beauty rivals that of lakes in Central Europe and North America.
To the west rise the Thesprotian Mountains, whilst very close to the east flows the River Louros, with which the lake is connected underground. A little further north lies Kokkinopilos, an impressive group of red clay hills of particular geological and archaeological interest.
According to scientific estimates, Lake Ziros was originally covered, that is to say, it was a cave, the roof of which collapsed around 10,000 years ago, forming the lake as we know it today.
Measuring approximately 900 metres in length and 600 metres in width, its waters form a natural ‘mirror’, offering visitors a unique spectacle amidst lush greenery. Thousands of species of flora and fauna create the perfect setting for relaxation, wellbeing, activities and enjoying nature. It is essentially a natural park, created solely by the power of nature.
The lake’s name is thought to be of Slavic origin, a fact that bears witness to the medieval presence of various peoples in Epirus and highlights the region’s rich history. The buildings of the former Children’s Village, to the north of the lake, also serve as a reminder of a difficult period in modern Greek history: the Civil War.
Lake Ziros also holds an important place in folk tradition. According to local legend, its creation is attributed to the story of two brothers and an angel, a tale reminiscent of Sodom and Gomorrah which has been passed down from generation to generation.
- Easy access by car
- Ideal destination for cycling, picnics, hiking, relaxation, and light exercise
- Only 2 km from the town of Philippiada
- A restaurant–café operates on the eastern shore, offering panoramic lake views
- Opportunities for alternative activities (canoe–kayak, archery, etc.)
- During the summer months, the Zero Festival, a music and cultural event, takes place
- An Environmental Education Center operates at the lake
If you’re looking for a destination that will impress you with its authentic and unspoilt natural beauty, then the headwaters of the Louros River and Lake Viro are exactly what you need. Also known as the ‘Blue Lake’ of Ioannina, they are a true gem of Epirus, which remains relatively unknown to most visitors.
Lake Viro – A scene straight out of a dream
A few kilometres outside Ioannina, near the village of Vouliasta and on the road to Arta, lies Lake Viro. It is a landscape that looks as though it has sprung from a painter’s canvas, with crystal-clear blue-green waters that shift in hue depending on the light and the mood of the sky.
At an altitude of 296 metres, this small lake, with a diameter of approximately 93 metres and a maximum depth of 10 metres, feeds the Louros River with crystal-clear waters that gush from the bowels of the earth. The result is an almost perfect natural swimming pool, offering a mesmerising sight to all who discover it.
The area is ideal for those wishing to escape the daily grind and enjoy nature in all its splendour. Lush vegetation surrounds the lake, making it the perfect spot for gentle walks, picnics in the shade of the trees and moments of absolute tranquillity. The more adventurous can try a quick dip in the icy waters, although the depth and low temperature make them more suited to admiring than swimming.
The Louros rises on Mount Tomaros and flows for approximately 80 kilometres before emptying into the Ambracian Gulf. Along its course, it passes through gorges, forms small lakes and irrigates fertile plains, supporting a rich and unique ecosystem of flora and fauna.
The river’s importance has been recognised since antiquity, as it served as a key source of water for major cities of the time, such as Ancient Nicopolis, one of the most important cities of ancient Greece. Another important monument in the area is the Roman aqueduct, built in 31 BC by Octavian Augustus, parts of which still survive today near the village of Agios Georgios.
The Pavlos Vrellis Museum of Greek History, also known as the Waxworks Museum, is situated near Ioannina and is the best-known museum of its kind in Greece. It was created entirely by the sculptor Pavlos Vrellis and opened to the public in 1995.
It houses around 150 wax figures in 36 thematic sections, covering 24 centuries of Greek history, with an emphasis on the modern history of Epirus. The exhibits are presented life-size, within realistic settings, offering visitors an immersive historical experience.
- Doulas Dimitra Pharmacy Kerasonas prevezis
- Doumas Evangelos Pharmacy chani terovou
- Lainas Supermarket panagia prevezis
- Giannis Supermarket kerasonas
- Chani Supermarket chani terovou
In Kouklesi
- Café
- Grocery store
- Grill house O Paradeisos
In nearby villages (Hani Terovou – Nea Mousiotitsa – Panagia – Kerasonas)
You will find restaurants, grill houses, and cafés. Indicatively:
- Synantisi
- Dipla sto Potami
- Mageirakos
- O Platanos
- O Mylos
Ktima Vasiligianni
Welcome to our stone-built accommodation in Kouklesi, Ioannina!
