PERTOULI - Mountain Paradise With its Ski Center and Livadia (meadows) offering themselves to all kinds of activities in nature, Pertouli is one of Thessaly’s strongest tourist “cards.” But it is, first and foremost, the “little door” to the Vlach villages of the Thessalian Pindus. Many consider that the area of Aspropotamos essentially begins from Pertouli onwards, as the inhabitants of the villages in this part of Koziakas share with the inhabitants of the "pure" Aspropotamos the Vlach origin, the livestock farming - logging tradition, and formerly the nomadic way of life! After all, a few kilometers after Pertouli, in the impressive valley that is formed, flows the Kamniaitis, one of the most important tributaries of the "Aspros" (Acheloos). Image Whatever the case may be, Pertouli is one of the oldest and most important villages of Pindos, although several times in its long history it was temporarily deserted either due to epidemics (1720 AD - plague) or due to enemy raids (it was destroyed by the Ottomans in 1823, but also by the Germans in 1943). According to one of the versions for the origin of the name, this is due to Triantafyllos Hatzis Berta ("Bertouli"), who re-inhabited the village after the plague epidemic. However, this version does not seem to hold true, as there is a reference to Pertouli as early as the 10th century. "Pertouli," therefore, according to some locals, is the "little door," the gateway to and from Aspropotamos.Passage and StationIt has always been, along with its Livadia (meadows), a passage and a resting station for the transhumant livestock farmers, while the declaration of the "University Forest" in 1934 played an important role in the economic life of the place. The "Pertouli University Forest" occupies an area of 33,000 acres and belonged (?) to the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Students of the Department of Forestry of AUTH do their practical training in the stunningly beautiful landscape. Some of the most impressive buildings at the entrance of the village belong to the University and were designed by the famous Greek architect, Dimitris Pikionis. Image Tourist TakeoffThe tourist development took its first steps in the mid-1980s, along with the establishment of the Ski Center. In addition to skiing, around the ski center, in the magical Livadia of Pertouli there are infrastructures for all kinds of activities from Horseback Riding and archery, to rides with ATV vehicles ("quads") and snowmobiles. The forest and the slopes of Koziakas are characterized by very rich fauna, as brown bears, deer, foxes, wild boars, wild cats, and a wide variety of aromatic and medicinal herbs live here. According to the myth, Asclepius found his healing herbs here. The area is ideal for hiking, always with respect for wildlife, and there are also organized areas for camping.The hospitality infrastructures in Pertouli are excellent, with very atmospheric hostels, among which is the "Archontiko Hatzigaki" in one of the oldest buildings in the area. The taverns of the area are also famous, among meat-eaters mainly, completing a complete "package" of escape from everyday life!
