PALAMAS - Karagouniki Soul Rich land and significant cultural heritage. The Archontokaragounides of Palamas, the museum of Itea, the noteworthy churches. When a place does not need ornaments, tradition comes to the fore. The inhabitants of Palamas are almost purely Karagounides. You will find the area described as "Palamas": the center of the great phara of the Karagounides" or "The cradle of Karagounia"! But who and what are the Karagounides? Regarding the interpretation of the word Karagounis, various opinions have been expressed, such as: a) that it comes from the Turkish word kara (black) and from the Arvanitic gkun (sigouna – fur) b) from karagiounan Turkish word, which means black, enslaved, unfortunate c) according to V. Angelis, the name Karagounis comes from kara (head) and kino – kuno (move – shake). Image How do they self-identify? They pride themselves on being among the oldest inhabitants of Thessaly, exclusively Greek-speaking and mainly farmers. They differ from other Thessalian genera in clothing, character, manners and customs, linguistic idiom, and have nothing to do with the Karagounides - Arvanitovlachs of Epirus. They are characterized by their Thessalian dialect, the one that "eats" the endings of words for the sake of speed and which is considered the most representative of the northern Greek dialects. They are brave, hardworking, and family-oriented. They are also characterized by the richness of folk tradition, folk events, and gatherings that bring three-day revelries. They participated in the revolutionary movements against the Turks and offered refuge to many persecuted from various areas of Greece. They also participated in the agricultural uprisings against the large landowners, in the redistribution of agricultural plots in 1923 with the expropriation of land.Ancient rootsIn Vlochos, on the Stroggilovouni hill, the defensive perimeter of an ancient city is visible. In Ermitsi we find remnants of the Middle Bronze Age. In Palamas, one of the largest villages of the Plain, several archaeological sites confirm habitation since the Prehistoric Era. According to mythology, the Titans lived here. These are commemorated by the "Titaneia," the cultural institution of Palamas, which monopolizes the interest of residents and visitors in the first ten days of September, while "Municipality of Titans" was also the older name of the Municipality.Palamas claims the title of the most "flat" area of the country. Few "magoules" (low, gentle hills) and some other slightly higher hills - the highest altitude is 430 meters in Lykorema - "disrupt" the straightness of the horizon. It is a "Mesopotamian" area from ancient times. Formerly determined by the ancient rivers Apidanos and Onohonos, today by Fersalitis and Kaletzis. Image Relaxed rhythmsPalamas, Itea, Vlochos, Astritsa, Sykia, Koskinas. Far from tourist development, the villages of the flat Thessaly maintain their relaxed rhythms and traditional style. As if they have found their peace in the fertile land, sown with cotton, few cereals, and even fewer vineyards. Which is embellished with noteworthy religious monuments and stone-built bridges made by Epirus masters. It is worth looking for the Konaki Koen in Astritsa. The chiflikospito (farmhouse) of the 19th century is made of well-worked stones, a material that was rare and expensive then for the plain. Especially if you consider where Palamas got its name: from the "palamisma" (palming) of the makeshift reed walls. When women, using their palm, spread mud and dung on the houses to protect themselves from the cold and rain.Other important sights of the area are the Agios Athanasios Roum Palama, the largest church of the P.E. of Karditsa with its very special frescoes, the bridge of Enipeas at the crossroads of Itea and a little further the Agricultural - Folklore Museum with its 4,000 exhibits. Nowhere else was such a collection so useful. Under one roof, the quintessence of the Thessalian Plain.
