Evrytania History

According to Homer, the first known inhabitants of northern Evritania -Karpenissi- were the Dolopes, who took part in the campaign against Troy.  During Byzantine times, the people of Evritania had the rare privilege of self-government and tax exemption.  For this reason, the northern part of the district was also called "Agrafa" (unwritten), because the residents were not listed in the Imperial tax registers.

During the Turkish occupation of Greece, this area remained free, especially the very remote areas in the mountains.  For this reason, the population of the villages grew.  Also, the historic site of Kefalovrisso was where, on the night of August 8, 1823, General Markos Botsaris was killed by the Turkish army sent by the Sultan to stop the Greek Rebellion.  The Greek troops won the battle and, although in great shock from the death of the hero at first, the soldiers were to fight more bravely from then after.  The holy monastery of Panagia Proussiotissa possesses a miracle-working icon, said to have been painted by St. Luke.  The monastery's church was built in 1754 and contains remarkable icons, woodcarvings, sacred treasures, and silver utensils.  There is also a small museum in the monastery containing several personal items of Karaiskakis, a famous general of the Revolution of Independence in 1821 against the Turkish occupation.

Towards the same direction is Koryschades, where, at the school building, the Liberated Greece National Council was held in 1944, with representatives from all over the country, right under the noses of the German Occupation Forces. The building is now restored and has been turned into a Museum.