Lying in the south-western part of Western Macedonia, Grevena regional unit is a mountainous area with a rich natural environment, culture and history. Surrounded by the impressive Pindus Mountain range, multi-colored forests, rushing rivers (Aliakmon and Venetikos), Grevena is home to the splendid National Park of Valia Calda, a protected area of exceptional ecological value and biodiversity.
Enchanting natural landscapes, picturesque villages (Vlachochoria), old churches and monasteries, beautiful stone bridges, the popular Ski Center in Vasilitsa, the mountain town of Deskati with its traditional style, delicious cuisine, hospitable residents, and of course, the city of Grevena, considered to be the “mushroom capital” of Greece, are making Grevena regional unit an attractive destination for tourists all year-round.
.AT A GLANCE
Regional unit’s capital: Grevena Regional unit’s area: 2,291 km Regional unit’s population (2021): 26,645 Density: 12/km2 Time Zone: UTC+2 Climate: Winters are cold with frequent snowfalls, whereas summers are hot during the day and cool during the night.
.ADMINISTRATION
The regional unit Grevena is subdivided into two municipalities.
.MUNICIPALITIES
GREVENA DESKATI
.MUNICIPALITY OF GREVENA
Area: 1,859.9 km2 Population (2011): 25,905 Density: 38/km2 Website: https://www.dimosgrevenon.gr/
.HISTORY
Grevena, as the birthplace of the Dorians and part of Ancient Macedonia, has a long history and was influenced by the Thessalian, Epirus and Macedonian areas. The archaeological findings of the area confirm a cultural osmosis of millennia. During the late period of the Roman Empire (4th century AD ) the region of Grevena belonged administratively to Thessaly. The exact founding date of the city and its course over the centuries remain unknown but Grevena is mentioned for the first time in the 10th century in a text called “Grivana” by Constantine the Porphyrogenitus.
The area of Grevena came under Ottoman Turks occupation around 1385. After the Ottoman conquest, the area attracted inhabitants from the surrounding lowlands. On the slopes of the Pindos mountains, thriving hamlets sprouted, which over the centuries welcomed new settlers, mainly Vlachs. The liberation of Grevena from the Turks took place during the First Balkan War, on October 13, 1912.
During the German occupation, the area of Grevena was tested again. The city was liberated by EAM-ELAS forces in March 1943 after the victorious battles of Snihovos and Fardykampos,
In the 1960s, internal migration to the country’s big cities as well as migration abroad weakened the city.
Today, Grevena is a modern city hosting departments of the university of Western Macedonia and
a pole of attraction for nature and mountain lovers.
.POINTS OF INTEREST
Eleftherias Square (known as Plateia Rologiou meaning Clock Square): The stone clock tower, dating to 1776 -the only preserved monument from the Ottoman era- dominates.
Aimilianou Square: The other main square of the town is named after the thirty-four-year-old Metropolitan Aimilianos who was martyred in October 1911. This is the square where the city’s heart pulsates with charming cafes and bars and a vivacious, youthful atmosphere.
Stone bridges: You will find many arched stone bridges that span the Venetikos River, in the villages of Grevena, some of which are considered to be the most important bridges in Greece. Zakas, Portitsa and Liatissas are close to Spileo village, and the Kagelia and Aziz-Agha close to Trikomo.
Pindos National Park (Eastern Part): Also known as “Valia Calda” which means “warm valley” at an elevation of 1,400m is a protected area with pristine nature: extraordinary mountains, rich forests, crystal-clear rivers, wildlife and soul-lifting views.
Vlachochoria (Vlach villages): Comprised of Perivoli, Avdella, Smixi, Krania and Samarina, Vlachochoria lie lost inside the forests, pastures and fresh waters. They are scattered over the slopes of the Pindos mountain range, at an altitude exceeding 1,200 meters and will seduce you with their unique character.
.GASTRONOMY
Grevena is, above all, known as the Greek mushroom capital. Indeed, the fine food and raw material for the preparation of high quality cuisine, was a particularly crucial part of the diets of the locals during World War II and the Greek Civil War. Try mushroom pie, mushroom soup, mushroom pilaf. Mushrooms are everywhere, even in spoon sweets, pasteli (Greek honey and sesame bars), jams, chocolates and loukoumi (the Greek Turkish delight).
Grevena is also home to renowned Greek PDO cheeses: soft and creamy “anevato”, spicy and salty “batzos” rich “manouri” and “feta”. Leek pies (prasopita), fried leeks (prasotigania) pork cooked in a pan with leeks and plenty of red pepper, dough with leeks (prasozymi), trahanas (frumenty-like pasta, sour and sweet) are also staples of the local cuisine.
.WINES & DRINKS
The regional unit of Grevena has many vineyards. Spirits like tsipouro are also produced locally. Except wine, try also liqueurs whose main ingredient is wild mushrooms.
.FEASTS, FESTIVALS & EVENTS
Anakatosaria: In February, the carnival celebrations have intense traditional color attracting many visitors. From 1900 to 1975, this three-day feast was celebrated in the city by lighting huge bonfires.
Music in the streets, eating and drinking.
Greek Mushroom Festival: Taking place annually in August at the “Mushroom Park” in Grevena, this is the leading mushroom fair in the country and one of the biggest such festivals in Europe, attracting thousands of visitors from around the world.
Aug. 15: Samarina celebrates the Dormition of the Virgin, an event that sees Samarinans from different parts of the world returning to the village in order to celebrate.
.SHOPPING
Mushrooms dehydrated or preserved in oil, cheeses and organic products.
.RELIGIOUS SITES
Monastery of the High Commanders & Archangels Michael and Gabriel: Built in the first half of the 19th century and shaped like a fort, this inactive now monastery, is located on the fringes of Taxiarchis village, northeast of Grevena town.
Panagia Spilaiotissa monastery: Founded in 1633, it is located on the fringes of Spilaio village, and it is, today, without a monastic community.
Megali Panagia Church: Built in the early 19th century and dedicated to the Dormition of the Virgin, this three-aisled basilica, is the metropolitan church of Samarina village.
.KEY MUSEUMS
Municipal Museum: It houses fossilized elephant bones and wild ox as well as objects from folk culture and wood-carvings.
Ecclesiastical Museum: It is housed at the Holy Metropolis of Grevena
Natural History Museum: In the village of Milia, visitors have the opportunity to see unusual paleontological findings and the worldwide largest mastodon tusks found in the area, which are officially entered in the Guinness book of records.
Mushroom Museum: In the small mountain village of Lavda, this small museum has dried and sculpted specimens. Information on all types of mushrooms is provided.
.ACTIVITIES
Grevena offers a considerable amount of outdoor activities for visitor to enjoy such as hiking, biking, mountaineering, rafting, and wildlife watching in a pristine natural environment. Mushroom picking excursions with experienced guides are also organized.
Ski or snowboard at the National Ski Centre of Vasilitsa (literally ‘little queen’) , one of the most well-managed ski resort in Greece with great facilities and slopes for all levels. Snowboarders adore Vasilitsa as the first ever jump contest was organised here and the first halfpipe was constructed here.
.ACCOMMODATION
A plethora of options. Traditional cosy guest houses or elegant hotels offer pleasant and luxurious accommodation.
.TRANSPORT
You can reach Grevena by car or bus (KTEL). The city of Grevena is 484 km from Athens, 170 km from Thessaloniki.