MYTHS AND LEGENDS The city of Ioannina is

MYTHS AND LEGENDS

• The city of Ioannina is deservingly called as the city of • The myths & • The legends

The legend goes that Ioannina is first • 1) In arms • 2) In money • 3) In education

1. In arms • The organization and participation in the prerevolutionary rebellion in 1611 which was planned by Bishop Dionysus the Philosopher. The rebellion was a failure and the revolutionary Bishop had his skin removed • Ali Pasha sealed the history of the region with his presence and deeds

2. In money • The city had an important economical growth due to benefits which were given to the city during the Ottoman domination • Silver craft became a tradition in the city of Ioannina • The caravans, which were mainly towards the Balkan peninsula and Central Europe, contributed in the development of trade and commerce in the region

3. In education • Famous schools such as Balanios, Kaplanios and Maroutsea were established • The legend of the Secret School is still alive especially around Philanthropinon monastery on the lake island • The most important places of the city are closely connected with its history, myths and legends

Kaplanios School

The lake

• Its mist covers the history of the city, since Lady Frosini was drowned in it along with 17 more well-off ladies from Ioannina by Ali Pasha • • One hundred centals of sugar He threw into the water So that it becomes sweet For the lady to drink

Durachani monastery

• The legend of the monastery is also connected with the lake • Durachan Pasha was supposed to have crossed the icy lake along with his troops which was considered to be a miracle • After this event the pasha himself had the monastery built

Lady Frosini • A beautiful woman from Ioannina, whose story is connected with the city itself and especially with the lake and the city castle • The lake is also called Frosini lake by local people • She was married to a wealthy merchant • She was a rich, pretty and emancipated woman of Ioannina bourgeoisie

• Among her admirers was the pasha’s son, Muchtar • Her liberated lifestyle irritated the local community and urged the pasha to put her to death • Thus, she was put along with other 17 women into leather bags with heavy stones and they were all thrown into the lake water • She has been the subject of many artistic works and a tragic figure of the modern Greek history

Frosini’s drowning

Lady Vassiliki

• She was the pasha’s favourite woman but also his legitimate wife • It is said that when she was 12 years old she approached the pasha in order to save her family • Her life changed since then and her beautiful appearance led the pasha to fall in love with her who married her in 1808 • She could influence the pasha, move freely inside the palace and exercise her religious rights

• She also used her power to help the Greek people who were in danger • After the pasha’s death she was taken to Istanbul as a prisoner • When the Modern Greek state was established she returns back home and settles in Etoliko – a village fairly near to Ioanninauntil her death

Ali Pasha

• He ruled Ioannina pashalik for 33 years • He even managed to establish an almost independent state within the Ottoman empire • A lot of things have been written about him, either praising or criticizing him • Some people present him as a great personality and others as a scheming tyrant

• During his domination the city of Ioannina had the looks and the fame of a capital city and the advantages of a great Court where Turkish, Albanian and Greek people worked without being discriminated because of their race or religion • Ioannina became an important Greek state, the centre of trade, education and art • One of his virtues was his religious beliefs. He was tolerant and free from religious fanaticism • He was a competent politician and diplomat and he took considerable actions abroad