Lampeia, Ilia, Greece

Lampeia is a mountain village, a community and a former municipality in the north-eastern part of the prefecture of Elis (Ilia) in Peloponnese - West Greece.

Lampeia or Divri is one of the preeminent, historical and potential tourism destinations. Its distance from Patras is 79 kilometres south, nearly 42 kilometres north of Olympia and 93 kilometres northwest of Tripoli.

It is situated south of the river Erymanthos, in the valley of a tributary of this river. Its elevation is about 800 m above sea level. Its population is presently more than 500 (according to the latest census of 2011 - 517 residents).

Divri consists of different neighbourhoods. This is the reason why the houses are divided into districts; each of them has its own church and social life. 

The main neighbourhoods apart from the Market is ‘Pera Machalas’, ‘Croustades’, ‘Caryanades’ , ‘Lazarades’, ‘Vassilei, ‘Perdikarades’ and 'Mparpota' ('Amygdali') Their names, except maybe Pera Machala, probably come from the family names of the original settlers.

The visitor will definitely enjoy the walk away from the public road where not only the scenery is peaceful and pleasing, but also monuments, old houses and fountains will impress you.

Main Market

The good preserved stony buildings, the magnificent churches, schools, and a lot of fountains which are flowing under huge, very old plane trees are distinctive in this stunning village.

Monastery Chrysopigi

Of the most important monasteries of Ilia and Greece is that of the Holy Monastery of Panagia Chrysopigi in Upper Divri. The Monastery Chrysopigi Upper Divri, together with the Lower Monastery, are located just 60km away from the town of Pyrgos.

Located in a green hillside, the Lower Monastery is dedicated to Virgin Mary. ‘Kato Moni’ celebrates the Assumption on August 23. The temple has remarkable wood-carved iconostasis inscription that dates to the 18th century. The church is full of paintings of 1746.

Lampeia is famous for its fountains and the crystal, very cold, clear water gushing out of them. The three fountains - Gavrovikos, Morios and Kosmopoulos - that you come across when entering and leaving the village on the public road and the two - three newer ones in the market, but they are not the only ones – the entire village has over 100 fountains in total!

Over the last few years a traditional event takes place every summer in Lampeia, in which different Dance Groups of Cultural Groups take part, and attracts the attention of residents and visitors in the region.

Spinalonga, Crete, Greece

Spinalonga

The island of Spinalonga, officially known as Kalydon, is located in the Gulf of Elounda in north-eastern Crete,  next to the town of Elounda. Originally, Spinalonga was not an island, it was part of the island of Crete. During Venetian occupation the island was carved out of the coast for defense purposes and a fort was built there. During Venetian rule, salt was harvested from salt pans around the island.

The island of Spinalonga

But the reason that makes this island so unique is that it has been used as a leper colony from 1903 to 1957. It is notable for being one of the last active leper colonies in Europe. The last inhabitant, a priest, left the island in 1962. There were two entrances to Spinalonga, one being the lepers' entrance, a tunnel known as "Dante's Gate". This was so named because the patients did not know what was going to happen to them once they arrived. However, once on the island they received food, water, medical attention and social security payments.

Dante's Gate

Bottles of medicines used in Spinalonga

Today, the uninhabited island is a popular tourist attraction in Crete. In addition to the abandoned leper colony and the fortress, Spinalonga is known for its small pebble beaches and shallow waters. The island can easily be accessed from Elounda and Agios Nikolaos. Tourist boats depart from both towns on a daily basis. There is no accommodation on Spinalonga, meaning all tours last only a few hours.

The uninhabited island of Spianlonga

 Spinalonga featured in the British television series "Who Pays the Ferryman?" and Werner Herzog's experimental short film "Last Words".  It is also the setting for the 2005 novel "The Island" by Victoria Hislop, the story of a family's ties to the leper colony. The book was adapted for television by Mega Channel Greece. 

Scene of Mega Channel's production

The castle of Spinalonga

 Panoramic: