On the slopes of the northern Pindus, in a splendid setting amid dense forests, lies the renowned Vlach village of Samarina, which is considered the highest village not only in Greece but also in the Balkans.
Close to the borders of Western Macedonia and Epirus, in the prefecture of Grevena, lies Samarina, one of the most renowned Vlach villages in Greece. Built on the northeastern slopes of Mount Smolikas (2.637 m.), amid dense beech and pine forests, it is considered the highest village not only in Greece but in the Balkans as well. The elevation of the village «ranges» between 1.450 and 1.600.
Samarina is famed for its natural beauty, abundant cold waters, and healthy climate. For these qualities it has also been christened «Beautiful Samarina». The distance that separates it from the town of Grevena is 50 km., while very close to it is the Vasilitsa Ski Center (15 km.).
Samarina: The alpine capital of Pindus
The founders and first settlers of the village are considered to be the residents of the village of Praitori in Thessaly, since historical maps of the area dating to the 16th and 17th centuries mention the location of Samarina as Santa Maria de Praitoria. The village experienced great development from the late 18th century up to the 19th. The economy was based on livestock farming, handicrafts, and trade.
Today, Samarina is a village with intense activity and its residents, apart from tourism, are engaged in logging and livestock farming. The women of the village weave thick woolen textiles, blankets, and rugs, while wonderful are the village «dristeles», or «nature’s washing machines», which first appeared in Greece in the mid-19th century and through them the cleaning of clothes was done with the help of hydraulic power.
Due to the altitude, as is natural, every winter Samarina is «adorned» with snow, yet the village is beautiful during the other seasons of the year as well. The village has 8 churches and is divided into four large neighborhoods. Impressive isthe 19th-century church of Megali Panagia, with a pine tree that has grown on the roof of the sanctuary.
Southwest of Samarina lies the stream of Valia Kirna, which traverses the area for about 6 km. A forest road provides access to the point where waterfalls form, while at the foot of Smolikas lies Drakolimni, in whose waters alpine newts live.
