LLTA Greece
SECOND MOBILITY – PALAMA, GREECE
10th – 14th February 2020
Fascinating welcoming to the EPAL PALAMA SCHOOL by the principal,students and teachers.Thank you so much to the Greek partners! You made an amazing organization for us!
DAY 1
Monday, 10th February
A day at school till noon; a walk in the town of Palamas, visit the Cathedral St. Athanasios in Palamas, Greece and the agricultural museum, Itea, Karditsa - The building of the Agricultural Museum, surrounded by an appropriately designed exposure. It is located on the main road that connects the prefectures of Karditsa and Larissa, a focal point of the Thessalian area. In the unique exhibition area, there are exhibits that are housed in the wider area of the Thessalian plain. They are related to the local rural-cultural and historical heritage. Around 8,000 items have been preserved and recorded, of which 4,000 are exhibited at the museum.
DAY 2
Tuesday, 11th February
Presenting the activities on the projects from each one of the countries – Itinerary; A presentation on the topic “Local art, folktales and nature for a successful break” - Research of folktales; Visit to the Ethnographic museum in Palamas; Learning traditional Greek dances; Souvlaki lunch;
DAY 3
Wednesday, 12th February
Meteora, Kalambaka region: "Up in the Heavens", "Hanging in the Air”, literal translation, incredible, majestic views. Meteora is a rock formation in central Greece hosting one of the largest and most precipitously built complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries, second in importance only to Mount Athos. The six (of an original twenty-four) monasteries are built on immense natural pillars and hill-like rounded boulders that dominate the local area. It is located near the town of Kalambaka at the northwestern edge of the Plain of Thessaly near the Pineios river and Pindus Mountains. Meteora is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Trikala city: the largest part of the town is inhabited since prehistorical times and the first signs of life in the cave of “Theopetra” reach till 49.000 D.C. Archaeologists have also discovered Neolithic settlements dating back to 6. 000d.c in “Big Kefalovriso” and other places. Located in central Greece 330 km north of Athens, Trikala is a gateway into the mountainous region of northwestern Greece. Trikala is a city in Northwestern Thessaly, Greece.
Day 4
Thursday, 13th February
A visit to the Archeological museum in Karditsa– This is an aspiring to form and strengthen a close and creative relationship between the citizens and the ancient remains of their land, is housing representative and extremely important finds from the region. These finds record the character of the culture and the cultural development of the prefecture of Karditsa through a journey covering the Prehistoric and Historic periods, from the Paleolithic and Neolithic to the Late Antiquity. The students were introduced to the exhibition through two modern artistic creations, within the context of the relationship and the influence that Time exercises on Space and on Men; a projection of pictures from the region of western Thessaly highlights this theme. There was also an exhibition of Palaeolithic finds from the region of the artificial Plastiras Lake - among them, two leaf-shaped flint heads, dated at the Middle Palaeolithic Period.From the historic period, the archaeological finds from the ancient cities of Kierion, Orthi, Mitropoli, Gomfoi and Argithea are of particular interest, as they identify the ancient cities of the region mentioned in literary sources and confirmed through epigraphic testimonies.
Lake Plastiras: An artificial paradise, also known as "Little Switzerland", is surrounded by an idyllic landscape of incomparable natural beauty that captivates the mind at first sight. Dreamlike in all aspects, it is one of the largest artificial lakes in Greece created in a location where in antiquity we could find the confluence of the rivers Tavropos and Achelous. It is a natural wonder that owes its existence to the inspired vision of General Nikolaos Plastiras to create an impressive dam that would reinvigorate the entire region. Lake Plastira located in the wider area of Agrafa, lives every season at its fullest, promising to offer you the holiday you dreamed of. The grandeur of the lake is crowned with the surrounding alpine peaks; snowcapped or green, with rushing streams that flirt with lacy coves, narrow inlets of water between cliffs that create fjord-like scenes and a single luscious green islet in the middle create a mind-blowing landscape which is mirrored in the emerald waters of the lake. In the vicinity you can find a handful of charming villages situated along the lakeshore or on the mountainous slopes which offer you an idyllic view of the lake!
Day 5
Friday, 14th February
Τhe students from Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Poland and Portugal visited the fifth largest city in Greece, called Larisa. The city of cheese and coffee, which is located in the region of Thessaly, surrounded by lush valleys and some of the most imposing mountains in Greece. There's a place, where ancient history and long tradition in agriculture meets the modern way of living. Here you can see the famous mountain of Greek Gods - Olympus (the highest peak in Greece reaching 2,915m).
It is a really interesting place, where we can learn something about Thessalian civilization. The guide and archeologist told us about the way people lived thousands of years ago. We have learned many fascinating facts about the habits of people living in Thessaly, as well as about art., architecture, trade, Olympic games and much more.
After the visit in the museum we went to Ancient theatre of Larissa, the place built in the center of the city, which is unusual. It was the meeting place where the most important decisions for the city were taken as well as the venue of entertainment where the plays were staged. We also went to the highest point of Larisa-acropolis.
Later, the students returned to school, where the final event was held. We could try traditional Greek dishes prepared by the parents and students from Greece. We could also listen to traditional songs and watch traditional Greek dances. All of us joined our Greek hosts and did our best in dancing to the folk music. The final point of the event was to hand in the certificates of our stay in Palamas.
The visit in Greece was an unforgettable experience. We will keep in hearts all the things we have seen and all the people we have met.