Chaliki Aspropotamou - An Eagle’s Nest of the Pindus

This archetypal Vlach village has a rich history that is lost in the depths of the centuries, with the first "official" recording in 1336 AD in a chrysobull of the Byzantine Emperor Andronicus III Palaiologos, but it existed since antiquity under the name "Chalcis".

It was one of the largest livestock centers of the Pindus and for a period between 1881 and 1912 was almost "on" the border between Greece and Turkish-occupied Epirus. Chaliki continues to be a "border" and "gateway" between Thessaly and Epirus. Here begins a road that leads to Anilio and Metsovo (23 km distance), while shortly before entering the village, an "exit" to the left (heading south) leads to the legendary passage of Baros and from there to Matsouki, Kalarrytes and Northern Tzoumerka.

Important sights of the village are the church of Ag. Paraskevi of 1725, in the square, while the church of Ag. Georgiou is of approximately the same period. Shortly before entering the settlement, it is worth visiting the monastery of Prophet Elias, which was built by the Hieromonk brothers Mavrogeorgou from Chaliki (according to tradition in 1835) and the church of the former monastery of the Transfiguration of the Savior of 1783. Many of the old konaks ("mansions") and bridges of the area continue to honor the old stone masters to this day.

Chaliki is also the gateway to one of the most important sights of the area (and not only), the legendary and famous in recent years, Verliga. From here starts the shortest path that leads to the heart of Lakmos, at an altitude of 2050 meters, to one of the three dragon lakes of Greece and to the meandering springs of Aspros (Achelous).

And since we are talking about Verliga, you cannot leave Chaliki without a stop at the homonymous cafe-bar-mezedopolio of Christos Zacharis. Mr. Zacharis decided about 20 years ago to leave Athens and a career in financial reporting to return to his village. Initially with his late mother and now, unfortunately, alone, he "guards Thermopylae", keeping his shop open all year round for anyone who wants a hot coffee, a drink, a plate of food or a chat with a deep connoisseur of the area. In a small room behind the shop, is the "studio" of the online radio "Laverliga.gr radio", which is the "voice" of the inhabitants of Aspropotamos, but also of the Vlachs everywhere.