We arrived at Voulgareli just before sunset and barely had time to see the road that would lead us to our accommodation, on a road that went down sideways, under the village’s central square. We left our bags to walk around the village and eat some traditional food. In the square we met three friends who had the same idea as us and who had already experienced the village’s heartbeat from the morning among the square’s large and shady plane trees. We were invited and we drank water from the famous Krystallo and Archonto fountains, learning that according to tradition “all outsiders who drink water from these stone fountains will marry in the village…”.
Voulgareli is built on the edge of the Tzoumerka Mountains among fir trees and at an altitude of approximately 800 meters. The visitor is immediately impressed by its beauty. It has rich vegetation and springs that end in the Arachthos and Acheloos rivers.
*Among the attractions of the village is the historic monastery of Agios Georgios, which was a spiritual and religious center during the Turkish occupation. It was here that the chiefs of Tzoumerka gathered to proclaim the Revolution of Arta in 1821.
*One of the area’s most important monuments is the Red Church, built in the 13th century by the Komnenidouka dynasty.
*There are several options for food, and you can choose between a traditional tavern, an authentic grill, Greek and European cuisine.
*It is fine to stay in the village, but it would be good to make sure to book a room in advance.
At night we slept in the silence of nature and the smell of wet leaves. A surprise awaited us in the morning. A newborn bat had been sleeping inside one of our shoes that we had left on the first floor balcony where our room was… It stretched, yawned and landed on the ground, where it was picked up by its mother… “Omen of good luck…” we were told by the villagers…
