Ioannina: Lion City of Epirus The Epirote city has played a key
role in modern Greek history and is an intriguing destination
for visitors, as William Gourlay reports Recent history states
that Epirus attracts few foreign tourists, or Greek ones for
that matter. Modern Athenians see it as the Wild North, a remote
realm of craggy mountains and provincial backwaters. Yet 200
years ago, English poet William Haygarth described Ioannina, the
capital of Epirus, as "more civilised than any other town in
Greece". For modern visitors, the appeal of modern Ioannina lies
somewhere between these extremes. Its gentle charm, its physical
setting, and the historical legacy that made it (almost) a
worthy capital, mean it is one of the most intriguing cities in
Greece. Embracing Lake Pamvotis, and backed by the rugged Pindos
Mountains, Ioannina is an appealing destination for all seasons.
Like most cities in Greece, Ioannina has an eventful history.
Founded during the early Byzantine centuries, the city became
part of the Des