Greece - Konitsa

Konitsa, located near the Albanian border, is built amphitheatrically-shaped on a mountain slope of the Pindos mountain range from where it overlooks the valley where the river Aoos meets the river Voidomatis.

The town of Konitsa is recorded for the first time under its modern name in the “Chronicle of Ioannina” of 1380. The chronicle mentioned that the defences of the castle of Konitsa were strengthened by the local Despot of Epirus, due to an imminent attack. In 15th century Konitsa came under Ottoman rule. The town was the administrative centre of a kaza (Ottoman district), which according to the Ottoman General Census of 1881/82 had a total population of 16.570.

In 1924 Konitsa was a small town that consisted of a total of 800 dwellings, 200 of which were considered Albanian or Turkish. As a result of the population exchange agreement of 1923 between Greece and Turkey, roughly two-thirds of Konitsa's Muslims, were considered "Turks by origin" and left for Turkey in 1925. Another part moved to Albania. They were replaced with around 1,000 Greeks from Cappadocia.

There are different theories regarding the etymology of the name. The first states that the city takes its name from an ancient Epirote city named “Knossos”, which was located near modern-day Konitsa. Another theory states that the name is Slavic, from Koni (horse) and Tza (land). According to a third theory, the name comes from a local lord named Konis, who allegedly built a castle in the city.

Nowadays Konitsa is known to be one of the most beautiful villages of Greece. The well preserved stone houses harmoniously coexist with the cobblestone streets, the lush vegetation and gardens. The heart of the town is the main square with its cafes and terraces.