The secrets of Lake Ioannina (photos)

The beautiful lake, near the Old Town of Ioannina in Epirus, is also known as Pamvotida. Surounded by verdant mountains, the majestic lake amazes visitors. Look at it a little more closely and you'll find that there's more to the misty lake than meets the eye.

The lake of Kyra Frosini's tears
The lake is linked with Efrosyni Vasileiou, known as Kyra Frosyni, whose name became entwined with that of Ali Pasha of Ioannina. She met her tragic end in the lake on January 11, 1801. The beautiful woman was romantically involved with Muchtar, the first-born son of Ali Pasha, while her husband and father of two children was away on business. Her execution was ordered with another 17 women at the time? and there are many versions considering the cause of this, all of the steeped in scandal, and drowned in the lake of Kyra Forsyni's tears.

The lake of resistance and escape
During the German Occupation of Greece, many people in the region sought refuge at the Cave of Perama. The cave near the lake has rooms that provided shelter for resistance fighters in the region and is now open to the public who admire its caverns with the beautiful stalactites and stalagmites.

The lake of silver
The jewelry and folk art of Ioannina is famous around Greece. Shops dot picturesque alleyways of the old town near the lake.

The lake of intellect and inspiration
Historian Procopius states that Ioannina was founded in 527 by Byzantine Emperor Justinian, however the city was conquered by Normans under the leadership of Bohemund. It enjoyed prosperity in 1204 when Michael Komninos founded the Depotate of Epirus and Ioannina was dubbed the intellectual center. Throughout its history it has...