A large pine tree has been growing in the apse of the Church of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, also known as Megali Panagia, since around 1850. In Samarina, such striking details sit alongside wall paintings, stone village fountains and festival traditions. If you choose the village as your destination, you can plan your stay around your cultural interests, a specific festival date or a hike, while distinguishing between places in the village and those in the surrounding area.
Church Art and a Nearby Monastery
Samarina’s churches worth visiting include Mikri Panagia, Megali Panagia and Agia Paraskevi. The wall paintings in Megali Panagia were completed in 1829 by painters Christos and Antonios Papaioannou from Samarina. The Church of the Transfiguration of the Saviour contains wall paintings dating from 1819, created by painters Dimitrios and Michail Anagnostou from Samarina, as well as by the priest Ioannis Anagnostou. The dates are ten years apart and refer to two different churches.
The Monastery of Agia Paraskevi is a separate point of interest in the surrounding area. It is located in the forest near the old village, four kilometres south of present-day Samarina, and is dated to 1713.
Festivals and Local Heritage
The Tranos Choros, also called Tsiatsios, is performed every year on 16 August in the courtyard of Megali Panagia. Samarina’s livestock festival takes place annually in early September at Chelimodi, near the chapel of Agios Mamas, about ten kilometres from the village. The events differ both in season and location: the dance is associated with a church courtyard in Samarina, while the livestock festival takes place at Chelimodi. If you plan your trip around either festival, check this year’s arrangements in advance.
The Archaeological-Folklore Museum is in the centre of Samarina and preserves traditional costumes and old tools used by local people. If you are planning a visit, check the current visiting arrangements in advance.
Traditional equipment and craft techniques are also part of the local cultural heritage. A mandani is a wooden device used to agitate and wash woollen fabrics; one such device is on display in Samarina. The Dristelles are traditional water-powered fulling mills and are also among the village’s attractions. The stone village fountains include Megali Panagia, Mikri Panagia, Gavani, Papazisis and Papakyrgia.
Hiking and Other Regional Options
A hiking guide published in 2017 classifies the Samarina–Valia Kirna–Distrato route as moderate and poorly marked. It recommends hiking from May to October. As trail conditions and seasonal recommendations may have changed since then, check current conditions before setting out.
In the wider region, the village of Spilaio lies at an altitude of 1,000 metres on Mount Orliakas. From there, you can choose between the Portitsa Bridge and the Liatissa Bridge, two different destinations. This is a different kind of outing from exploring the churches, fountains and traditions in Samarina.
When looking for a holiday apartment, it may also help to consider distances: the churches, museum and fountains are in Samarina, while the monastery is four kilometres south and the livestock festival takes place about ten kilometres from the village. This can help you decide whether to focus your trip on the village or on nearby destinations.
Discover more destinations: Alatópetra, Polineri, Grevená, Aetia, Zákas, Perivoli, Lipsi, Itea
For the broader travel overview: Grevena.
